FRIDGE NOT GETTING COLD

[jhnybgood]

Nolt sure where to put this, but here it is...the fridge in my 1991 Carver 26 command bridge I just bought isn't getting cold. Has power. Freon? Replace? Anyone? Bueler....LOL

Thanks for any and all info you can give me

John

[tomschauer]

If you are certain it is getting power to the inverter, do you have power out of the inverter to the compressor? If so, is the compressor running?
If the compressor is running and not chilling the box, you have lost refrigerant. If you have power to the inverter but not out of the inverter, the inverter has failed.
I could go on with a few more scenarios, but if it is the original 30+ year old unit, it will cost you more to "try" to fix it, than it will to buy a new one.

[km1125]

Find out what model. There should be a sticker inside the fridge compartment (usually near the top) that shows all the detail you need. And answer Tom's questions 'cause that's where you'd have to start with diagnosis.

I hesitate at just replacing, only because they're VERY expensive and most don't have great track records. You'll always find some that last 30 years, but also same models that only last till the day after warranty runs out!

They don't take much refrigerant at all, so even a tiny bit that leaks out will greatly affect the cooling capacity. If it leaked out all at one, that's a big problem, but if it took 5 or 10 years to leak out, not a big issue. One friend has a ~8 year old fridge that will last all season and just needs a couple ounces to get it going for the next year, vs buying a new unit at $2,200. We're tried to locate the leak several different times and ways, but as of yet, still no luck because it's so tiny.

[Viper]

Ya back to basics and simple things first.
- What make and model and is it AC/DC
- Is the compressor running
- Is there power to the unit, both AC and DC if applicable
- Is the condenser clean
- Is the evaporator covered in ice
- Is the door seal in good shape
- Etc...

[Midnightsun]

Not that this is your problem however if you really want to increase the efficiency/cooling capacity of your fridge ventilation of the fridge cavity is very important. On my fridge there is a factory mounted small computer fan right in front of the compressor which runs when the compressor starts up. Since the fridge cavity relies on a passive vent, there is not much air back there. I added another computer fan tied into the compressor fan mounted one low to the ground to force colder floor air behind the cavity which exits through the factory vent.

Just a reminder to make sure your factory vent is not blocked by pillows or whatever, same goes for AC vents.

[km1125]

Source of the post Not that this is your problem however if you really want to increase the efficiency/cooling capacity of your fridge ventilation of the fridge cavity is very important. On my fridge there is a factory mounted small computer fan right in front of the compressor which runs when the compressor starts up. Since the fridge cavity relies on a passive vent, there is not much air back there. I added another computer fan tied into the compressor fan mounted one low to the ground to force colder floor air behind the cavity which exits through the factory vent.

Just a reminder to make sure your factory vent is not blocked by pillows or whatever, same goes for AC vents.

It's a good idea and I did something similar. I put the additional fan on the "exhaust" from the cavity at the top. I also added insulation around the sides and top, as there was about 1.5" of empty space there. In the back where the condenser is, I didn't add any as that would have blocked airflow.

[jhnybgood]

Thanks for all the replies. Won't be back to the boat till next weekend. I will look into all of this stuff then.