Fridge: replace or repair?

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GTom

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Our fridge has seen better days, due a major servicing or replacement. Coolant seems gone, thermostat fell apart, compressor starts showing the signs of corrosion.

I was wondering does it worth to hire someone to overhaul the system, when I get a fully functional -maybe more efficient(!) new unit for £400ish?
 
If you can find the leak, repair it and then regas. If you can't find it, or it's not repairable, replace. The other parts are superficial (electronic thermostat costs €10, rust is easily fixed with some rust converter paint). A replacement fridge kit is not going to be more efficient, only improving the insulation makes the fridge more efficient (or switching to seawater cooled types).
 
vyv_cox said:
I don't think £400 will buy a modern marine fridge with water cooling. Prices from Penguin start at £666 for a very small unit and jump to £1000 for a reasonable size. Well worth repairing.
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I have an aircooled unit, but true, a watercooled one could be a good idea, especially when moving South...
 
I bought an air cooled unit at the boat show(London) to replace Electrolux clapped out model. It was much easier than trying to get the thing fixed.

I opted for air cooled, no freezer, separate compressor with boat power, mains power auto switching, all stainless model. For the UK waters air cooled is fine. I can always change the compressor foe seawater cooling if I ever go abroad. The reason for no freezer was to maximise fridge space as that is more useful to me. Again if I go abroad I can build a freezer should I want that.

Paid about £475 all up about 3/4 years ago.
 
We replaced our old fridge 2-3 years ago with a new Dometic. Part of the choice was defined by size - the new Dometic fitted exactly in the space left by removing the old unit. The new unit is so much better than the old one, maybe better insulation, better compressor unit. We live in Sydney, so not as hot as further north, but we find it more than adequate.

The old unit had a remote compressor the new unit the compressor is housed in a recess at the top, rear of the unit. It was a bit more difficult to route airflow, we duct from the anchor locker, to over the compressor (computer fans) - it just took time and ingenuity. We also duct the warm air, another computer fan, into the engine room, which has its own exhaust/fan system.

I'd buy a new unit - simply because they appear to have improved insulation.

Jonathan
 
My fridge is like the 100 year old axe ... with two new heads and three new handles....

If GTom's boat is a 'Westerly of a certain age' I'd be more concerned about the 'fridge/icebox insulation..... most likely designed to keep english beer warm in winter....

I would seriously consider - as I have on occasion - buying a Waeco / Dometic unit... https://www.dometic.com/en-au/au/pr...ble-refrigeration/fridge-freezers-and-coolers .. love the way they make the volume clear for the average 'strayan....

Over the years I have replaced the compressor... now have a BF50....., the control unit, and the thermostat ...

Even had the leaking plate replaced with a custom made one in Ushuaia 12 years ago.... rather surprised that there is a living to be made in that trade down there....
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Still considering the rather daunting task of sorting the insulation.....
 
If you get new, seriously considering getting it direct from Germany, skipper next to me went down that route and saved considerably over buying in UK, even after adding shipping.
 
Replacement 'bits' for air cooled unit Here £375
Penguin bits are expensive as I found when I had to replace a control unit.
I put mine in in 2007 and the part failed in about 2010. I thought it might be a cooling issue so added an extra fan, a 12v PC fan, much cheaper than buying from Penguin. Fridge has been going ok since then under UK and Spanish heat.

PICT0438.jpg
 
Frank Holden said:
My fridge is like the 100 year old axe ... with two new heads and three new handles....

If GTom's boat is a 'Westerly of a certain age' I'd be more concerned about the 'fridge/icebox insulation..... most likely designed to keep english beer warm in winter....

I would seriously consider - as I have on occasion - buying a Waeco / Dometic unit... https://www.dometic.com/en-au/au/pr...ble-refrigeration/fridge-freezers-and-coolers .. love the way they make the volume clear for the average 'strayan....

Over the years I have replaced the compressor... now have a BF50....., the control unit, and the thermostat ...



Still considering the rather daunting task of sorting the insulation.....
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I fitted the same as you Frank. Mine is a Westerly of a certain age and the cool box was almost impossible to insulate properly, due to difficulties with access. I managed to get some celotex up one side and along the base, but I think the only way I could improve it further would be to insulate INSIDE the cool box.

How has anyone else managed to improve the insulation on older cool boxes? I’d love some suggestions.
 
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