Isotherm fridge. She no work no more.

M

Memphis_Chung

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 May 2003
Messages
136
Location
Southampton
Visit site
Hi,

I have one of those retrofitted Isotherm units (possibly a Classic) and I tried it for the first time this season last week (freakishly hot weather in Southampton temporarily warranted it!). The fridge did not seem to want to switch on (it was totally dead) and on the control unit the yellow light (economy) and red light (freeze) flash at me in unison. The third green light remains on all of the time.

Does any one have any ideas re what the lights are telling me and/or are there any common problems to look out for?

Thanks!

Dave
 
Freestyle has an old Isotherm. There is a control box with relays controlled by a separate switch that once had some complicated electrical circuitry in it. When I first bought the boat, the control unit was not working to spec, but the fridge cooled and was capable of freezing stuff if left on, so I left it alone. However, the fan cooling the compressor did not seem to enjoy life, and I don't think the thermostat was working

Then, after behaving erratically for a time, the switch unit failed. I tried to get the distributors to send me a new switch, but they were not able to help. So I got out a voltmeter, tested the voltages across the switch processor terminals, and eventually identified the wires to the separate relays for the fan and the compressor. I succeeded in switching fan and compressor independently, but when I tried connecting them to the same switch, I blew the main controller fuse and the fan relay.

I now have a switch, located by the engine control panel, controlling the compressor relay. I run the fridge when motoring or in harbour on shore power and it does what I need in the, er, temperate climes of Irish Sea and Scottish waters. The lack of a fan and a thermostat does not seem to be a problem, but I do have a fair-size louvred panel to ventilate the condenser coils.
 
We, too, have an Isotherm and our control box occasionally exhibits this behaviour. We just turn off, wait for a min or two, then turn back on again and it seems to sort it out.

You'ver probably tried this already......
 
Yes, have switched it on and off again (my preferred initial option before bringing out the hammer!). Given that my kiwi prop "fixed" itself last week, may be I can hope for the same with the control panel!
 
The lights are telling you that volts are too low for the solid-state rectifier to work.

If system volts are normal (ie over 12.0) then it's probably a fault in the wiring, usually it's corrosion on earth return on a boat.

The compressor unit will go on for ever, the solid-state rectifier won't stand get wet, but they're pretty fault free the ASU Isotherm.

If all else fails get hold of Anders at 0046 480 15080, Thermoprodukter, they're the manufacturers - Anders has helped me out on several occasions in various parts of Europe. e-mail anders@isotherm.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top