Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: Alder fridge question

scirocco2 on Alder fridge question

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 03:53:25 -0400

It's a possibility you may have a leak somewhere in the lines

this would explain some squealing and over running because pressure is not building up

mix water and dawn soap and spray those evaporator lines

if you find a leak it's time to buy a mini torch and some silver wire

and braze it like you would soldering a wire

if it's the compressor it may need new seals

if it's all junk then Adler makes a 12v dc cold plate you can retrofit into the fridge

I myself am picking up a sea freeze brand freezer with 12v dc setup

you needing a fridge setup I would recommend looking for a thermoelectric mini fridge

12v dc preferably as the 1 amp will be 10 amp using it as ac110 through a inverter that is also inefficient

Patrick Twohig on Alder fridge question

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 02:35:03 -0400

Squealing is a bad motor bearing, usually. In theory you could replace the whole motor, but in reality if may be less expensive to replace the unit. Your best bet is to take it to a qualified service tech who can look at it and see if it's salvageable.

Scott Carle on Alder fridge question

Sun, 07 Jun 2015 10:32:41 -0400

Yes. It sounds like an issue with your compressor. Which in most cases requires total replacement of the compressor unit. The squealing sound is not a good thing given the lack of cold. It should have started cooling in a matter of a minute or two. I know that in general there is usually oil included in with the freon to act as a lubricant to the moving internal parts of the compressor. If it had all leaked out then maybe that would cause it to start squealing. Maybe fixing the leak and recharging it would bring it back but I think you need a decent repairman talk to about that. Finding someone that really understands refrigeration and has experience is usually pretty hard. I have dealt with a lot of A/C guys and most of them just sorta are parts exchangers and don't really totally understand the systems. I would ask around and try to find the guy that works on boat A/C, Refrigeration that everyone trusts and thinks of as a wizard. If you can find that guy I would have a talk with him or get him to look at it for you.

What kills me is the price of those things. They are not that freaking complex as a unit or big but are one of the most expensive things on the boat after the engine.

CAE on Alder fridge question

Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:30:27 -0400

I tried running it today and after 2 hours it was not getting cold. Are they charged with freon?

Scott Carle on Alder fridge question

Sat, 06 Jun 2015 14:46:37 -0400

I have nothing that would help. Unless someone else here has some wisdom or google can help you then might be time to give someone a call to come take a look at it.

scott

CAE on Alder fridge question

Sat, 06 Jun 2015 11:40:16 -0400

It was quite cold when I first noticed it doing this and shut it down when it would not stop. So I'm not sure if it's not still cooling or not.

Scott Carle on Alder fridge question

Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:24:39 -0400

Is the fridge cooling as it should?

scott

CAE on Alder fridge question

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:36:02 -0400

hey everyone.

my fridge makes a high pitched noise when it starts up , this stops. But then it seems to not want to stop running. The fan will stop, but then the high pitched noise kicks in again and the fan starts up again. This pattern seems to be looping....going over and over.

Anyone familiar with this?