Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Our Norcold refrigerator still runs and the LED light on the thermostat is lit, but the refrigerator does not get cold at all. It has worked fine in the past, though in recent months I had a suspicion that it wasn't cooling as effectively as before, though it was definitely working. I think the unit was installed sometime in the 1990s, because it wasn't mentioned in a 1989 survey of the boat, but was listed in a 1999 survey. The previous owner replaced the thermostat in 2001.
I have done a search and read all the "refrigeration" posts on this site, as well as checked several marine refrigeration websites for information and trouble shooting tips. But I need some basic information to get started.
Our boat is a 1984 E30+. The refrigerator is a top loading fibreglass box beside the sink on the port side of the galley. The refrigerator has an evaporator plate screwed onto the left side of the box which curves to cover part of the back of the box, looking in from the top. There is a single black wire coming from the back of the box to the thermostat at the front right of the box. There is a white vent in the port cockpit locker directly behind the galley, which I think vents the refrigerator (air intake and exhaust, I think). Aside from that, I haven't seen any other parts like the compressor, coils, etc.
There is a bulkhead between the refrigerator and the engine compartment, as well as between the galley and the port cockpit locker. The galley counter top looks solid and doesn't allow any access on either side of the unit.
So I'm looking for help, especially from any E30+ owners, as to where the compressor and associated mechanics of the fridge are located, and how I can get access to them. Also, I'm thinking that maybe the coolant/gas has escaped due to a leak of some kind, and maybe the unit needs to be recharged; but I need to know where access to that might be.
Unfortunately, the RV and Appliance Repair people I have talked with have said that they can likely fix it, but only if I can bring the unit to them. I can't see any way to get it out of the boat, without totally dismantling the galley counter top, which others have said in posts on this site is a major job that I don't think I can do.
Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.
Frank
I have done a search and read all the "refrigeration" posts on this site, as well as checked several marine refrigeration websites for information and trouble shooting tips. But I need some basic information to get started.
Our boat is a 1984 E30+. The refrigerator is a top loading fibreglass box beside the sink on the port side of the galley. The refrigerator has an evaporator plate screwed onto the left side of the box which curves to cover part of the back of the box, looking in from the top. There is a single black wire coming from the back of the box to the thermostat at the front right of the box. There is a white vent in the port cockpit locker directly behind the galley, which I think vents the refrigerator (air intake and exhaust, I think). Aside from that, I haven't seen any other parts like the compressor, coils, etc.
There is a bulkhead between the refrigerator and the engine compartment, as well as between the galley and the port cockpit locker. The galley counter top looks solid and doesn't allow any access on either side of the unit.
So I'm looking for help, especially from any E30+ owners, as to where the compressor and associated mechanics of the fridge are located, and how I can get access to them. Also, I'm thinking that maybe the coolant/gas has escaped due to a leak of some kind, and maybe the unit needs to be recharged; but I need to know where access to that might be.
Unfortunately, the RV and Appliance Repair people I have talked with have said that they can likely fix it, but only if I can bring the unit to them. I can't see any way to get it out of the boat, without totally dismantling the galley counter top, which others have said in posts on this site is a major job that I don't think I can do.
Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.
Frank