Refrigerator

[Jim and Jackie]

The refrigerator on our 2010 R 29 stopped working. Are there any other fuses in addition to the circuit breaker on the DC panel? Is there anything else I should be looking for?

Jim Demerest
2010 R 29 "Chessie"

 

[knotflying]

For the heck of it make sure the connections to the refrigerator are not loose and no corrosion. You will have to remove the refrigerator to check, but it isn't a very difficult job. Just in case you have not checked, I assume your batteries are up to the correct voltage? At low voltage the refrigerator will not work. It has an automatic cutoff.

 

[Jim and Jackie]

Thanks for the information. Will check the connections. The boat is plugged into shore power and the batteries are on a float charge around 13.2 volts. Although if there is corrosion it could drop the voltage.

 

[Todd]

Have you checked the control inside the refer to make sure it was not turned off there.

 

[Jim and Jackie]

Yup. But it is a good suggestion.

 

[knotflying]

I know this sounds stupid, but it happened to me. Is the breaker on?
When you remove the refrigerator you may want to use a multi meter to make sure you have power to the refrigerator. If not then work backwards from there. If you have power, perhaps a call to novakool is in order. They are helpful. Be sure to mention you have a Ranger Tug. That makes them most helpful. 😀

 

[Jim and Jackie]

Not stupid. When we first got the boat the refrigerator stopped working. Turnout the breaker had been turn off. I've got the trouble shooting guide for the refrigerator. It shows a 15 amp fuse connecter directly to the battery then the 20 amp circuit breaker. Did Ranger wire it that way?

I'm a hour away from the boat and hope to get down tomorrow morning. Figure if I need to get ahold of Novakool can't do it on a Sunday.

 

[knotflying]

Not stupid. When we first got the boat the refrigerator stopped working. Turnout the breaker had been turn off. I've got the trouble shooting guide for the refrigerator. It shows a 15 amp fuse connecter directly to the battery then the 20 amp circuit breaker. Did Ranger wire it that way?

I'm a hour away from the boat and hope to get down tomorrow morning. Figure if I need to get ahold of Novakool can't do it on a Sunday.

Your guess is as good as mine. Seems odd to have a 15 amp (which should blow before the breaker) and then a 20 amp breaker. I doubt the refrigerator goes direct to the battery. If anything there would be a fuse in one of the fuse blocks.

 

[Jim and Jackie]

Went through the trouble shooting procedure and looks like the electronic module is shot. Called Novakool and they are shipped a new module,. overnight and I should have it today. Won't be able to get to the boat until tomorrow. We will be taking off for the Labor Day weekend . Will pot the results next Tuesday.

 

[Jim and Jackie]

New electronic module arrive at 10 the next day. Couldn't get to the boat until Friday. After a few minor problems the refrigerator is again purring as happy as can be. The only real problem is the lack of room to work on the refrigerator. Needed to be a contortionist and had to turn the unit upside down to work on in in the space by the helm.

I worked with Marion at Nova Kool, both for trouble shooting and during the reinstall. Some of the best customer service I have ever had.

Wasn't going to report until Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend. The last of Harvey decided to dump rain on the Chesapeake all day today so we put off going out until tomorrow.

 

[ALICE J]

On my R27 I placed an orange and green led indicator lights just above the refrigerator to indicate power is on and when the compressor is on. I also placed two muffin fans to provide air flow over the compressor and cooling fins. Learned this while sitting in Furnace Junction in Death Valley, that the ambient heat really taxed the refrig. All are plugged into the electronic box in the back of the refrig. I did place a vent intake in the helm foot well and an exhaust just above the opening door to the refrig. The green light tells me that I have power, the orange lets me keep track of the cycling times.