Refrigeration Problems
Our Bavaria was built in Germany and therefore probably not built with a view to her spending extended time in the tropics of the Caribbean. We've had Wanderlust for around 18 months now and replaced many parts, but we have continued to struggle with the fridge. During the day whilst we have lots of sunshine on our solar panels it is fine, but we often wake early in the morning to hear it cycling over and over again as it struggles for power, having worn down the domestic batteries overnight. The solutions are then to either run the engine or switch the fridge off until the sun rises and the solar panels charge the batteries again.
Whilst we were in Antigua we had someone out to look at the system and were told there was too much gas in the system and the thermostat may not be working. Gas was changed, items fiddled with and replaced and a new (second hand) thermostat fitted. Unfortunately the result was - no change. On a visit to the UK I purchased a new Frigoboat thermostat and on my return I fitted it. Unfortunately the result was - no change.
Following our arrival in Grenada we decided it was time to resolve the problem once and for all. Having looked on the Grenada Cruisers Facebook page for recommendations I picked up Protech Engineering Services (Michael Cadore 473 439 98280 mncadore@gmail.com). I called Michael and arranged to meet him the next day to look at our fridge and also a friends fridge on their boat close to us. He fixed their problem within an hour and then came to our boat.
First thing was to clean the cooling system. Our friends had a fancy can of air spray to blow the fluff off their 'radiator' - we used the dinghy pump ! Not enough gas was the next item to fix and then the freezer unit and fan came under scrutiny. Michael's view was although the cooling system was 'OK' the fan really wasn't man enough for the job.
Whilst we were in Antigua we had someone out to look at the system and were told there was too much gas in the system and the thermostat may not be working. Gas was changed, items fiddled with and replaced and a new (second hand) thermostat fitted. Unfortunately the result was - no change. On a visit to the UK I purchased a new Frigoboat thermostat and on my return I fitted it. Unfortunately the result was - no change.
Following our arrival in Grenada we decided it was time to resolve the problem once and for all. Having looked on the Grenada Cruisers Facebook page for recommendations I picked up Protech Engineering Services (Michael Cadore 473 439 98280 mncadore@gmail.com). I called Michael and arranged to meet him the next day to look at our fridge and also a friends fridge on their boat close to us. He fixed their problem within an hour and then came to our boat.
First thing was to clean the cooling system. Our friends had a fancy can of air spray to blow the fluff off their 'radiator' - we used the dinghy pump ! Not enough gas was the next item to fix and then the freezer unit and fan came under scrutiny. Michael's view was although the cooling system was 'OK' the fan really wasn't man enough for the job.
Discussions were had and we decided a completely new fridge was a non starter. We then discussed replacing the freezer system and decided to go for a Dometic evaporator plate from Island Water World vd 09 80 series.
The old system was removed and the new Dometic unit place inside the fridge unit. We decided to stand it on its end so we could put things inside it standing up e.g. beer and wine obviously ! Michael reconnected the gas, adjusted the amount and then vacuumed the system to take out any air and moisture - which is apparently a very important procedure and often missed if you are 'doing it yourself'.
The Result
After a few days testing for the appropriate setting (trying to control the amount of ice build up, battery usage, temperature of food etc...) we now only have to have the fridge on the lowest setting and this still gives us really cold beer plus the batteries are good - a win win situation.
The Result
After a few days testing for the appropriate setting (trying to control the amount of ice build up, battery usage, temperature of food etc...) we now only have to have the fridge on the lowest setting and this still gives us really cold beer plus the batteries are good - a win win situation.
Published 14/09/2018