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We installed our refrigeration system in 2013 and opted to use Frigoboat, which uses an aluminum evaporator plate. We’ve been using the air cooled compressor until we installed the keel-cooler while in the boatyard in 2023.
Almost immediately after we returned from the boatyard we noticed our refrigerator wasn’t holding its temperature. Luckily, we were able to move the contents of the fridge and freezer to a friends boat while we troubleshooted the system.
We determined we had a leak somewhere in the refrigerant line. It uses R134-a which is a common refrigerant in the US so Rich went to an auto parts store and bought a recharging can. The compressor is in a hard to reach spot so Rich had to tip the can at a weird angle while recharging and he inadvertently added liquid refrigerant to the compressor. It immediately started making a hammering noise. The compressor was toast at this point.
Our best option was to order a whole new system and have it rush delivered to us at great expense.
In a day or two our “new” system arrived and we proceeded with the installation. We had forgotten how we’d done it the first time and had to sort through our decade old photos as a reminder. Luckily we had taken a lot of photos so the installation was pretty straight forward.
We’ve been running the refrigerator for over a year now without any problems. We do still have to defrost the freezer evaporator plate every couple of months, but we’ve always had to do that. If anyone has a way to prevent it from frosting over, I’d love to hear about it.
We’ve been hauled out in the boatyard in Puerto Peñasco for a few months now, so we’re hoping we don’t have another freon leak when we put it back in the water.