Isotherm fridge problems

purplerobbie

purplerobbie

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I have a isotherm fridge on my boat that has a problem. It is one of the water cooled type.
When I turn it on it starts up and runs for about 15 seconds and then stops. The water pump keeps clicking and about every minute the fridge motor tries to start again but doesn't.
If I turn it off and then on again it will do the same.

Anyone had this problem?
Could it be something as easy as regassing?

Rob
 
This problem has come up before.

If your batteries are good it's quite possibly a bad connection or inadequate wiring to the fridge. Check the voltage at the fridge, particularly as it tries to cut in. Does it then drop below the cut-out voltage, typicaly about 10.5v?
 
Highly unlikely to be gas. Very likely to be a cooling water issue, an easy first check any way. check seacock and overboard water flow. Not sure what the compressor you have is but lack of cooling will cause a cut out for high pressure which matches the symptoms you describe.
 
The engineer said:
Highly unlikely to be gas. Very likely to be a cooling water issue, an easy first check any way. check seacock and overboard water flow. Not sure what the compressor you have is but lack of cooling will cause a cut out for high pressure which matches the symptoms you describe.
Click to expand...
The compressor will be a Danfoss AC unit.
As already pointed out it's probably a blockage in the cooling system.

It's unlikely to be connection - the unit pulls about 5.5 amps of start up and on supercool (when system volts are high) 4.0. On economy auto 3.0. Those figures for the simpler and more reliable air-cooled version.

Mine in Greece is happily keeping everything cool in 38C ambient.
 
I have no idea where the water outlet would be? I was told the water pump will normally tick about once a second. Which it does. I was told it will tick a lot faster if there is no water to it?

When you say high pressure could it be blocked ofter the pump? is there some sort of pressure switch i can pull the wires off to check if its that?

If it is blocked after the pump how could i clean it out?

Would the water outlet be under the boat or will it be over the side?
Could i just put a new pipe on it and drain it into the sink to see if its pumping ok?

I think the water inlet is on the same one as the engine and the engine is pumping water fine.
 
Hi Rob,

I'm unsur what you mean by "ticking". I have the same Isotherm cooling system. There's a through hull fitting and the external flange of this has 2 holes to which are permanently attached 2 thin tubes. The natural motion of the hull in the water, pumps seawater up 1 tube, round the cooling sytem and back out of the 2nd hole, there's no mechanical or electrical intervention, It's all done by pump action and is a proprietary Isotherm patented design, I don't see what could make it "tick" unless I'm misunderstanding your problem.

My guess would be either you're batteries are flat or the thermostat is set too high. Those are both only guesses!

Cheers, Brian.
 
Call for Tech Support

Isotherm technicians are just a phone call away at 954-984-8448. They answer their phone and can solve any problem in short order. :)
 
We have a problem with an air-cooled Isotherm fridge. The control panel flashes and fridge defrosts if it gets even a bit dusty. Often happens overnight....not great! Is there no one to phone in the UK for advice or parts? I am reluctant to phone the US. Really are there no dealers in the uk?

If there are none, am tempted to buy a new motor for cold box. Any recomendations of UK models please?
 
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