Refrigeration Virgin

[ThreeQrtrTime]

My boat came with an Alder Barbour refrigeration unit. Having never used one of these, can someone explain the proper use.

There is a 18 x 24 x 18 insulated cooler (approx size) built into the counter the has what i believe is the evaporator coil which looks like a small white bucket. When the unit is running, little tubes in the evaporator get cold.

Do you just turn the unit on and put you item in the chest and it will keep it cold or do you put something like ice (dry ice) in the evaporator bucket and it just makes the ice last longer and the ice is what is actually doing the cooling?

[DeepFrz]

No need for ice or dry ice. The evaporator "bucket" as you call it is really what cools the fridge and is a small freezer. I guess you are to young to remember those types of fridges in our homes. Turn it on, load it up and adjust the thermostat for the correct temp. of the fridge.

[Pblais]

You need to figure out how cold the unit will keep food. The insulation in the box ddetermines a whole lot about what the performance will be. You may be able to keep frozen items in the center and regular fridge stuff around it. Don't pack it solid or the outside stuff won't be cold. For about $29 you can get a battery operated two zone remote thermometer and can place one inside the center and one in the box and see what it does. A fridge should be about 38 degrees F and a freezer should be a lot colder than you can get it BUT it might keep frozen things long enough for a trip.

[Dsanduril]

On the side of your "little white bucket" there should be a piece of wire connected in a bracket in a U-shape. This "wire" is the temperature sensor, and should lead to a little dial controller (usually labeled 1-7). Turn on the fridge. Do this at the dock, as it will run full time until it gets cold (which may take several hours to all day depending on what's in it, temperature, etc.). Once it gets cold (how cold depends on where you have the dial set, I find 2-3 for fridge temps, 5-6 if I want a freezer, depends on your insulation) it will start to cycle on and off to maintain the set temperature.

The fact that your evaporator is frosting means it seems to be working. Check the tubing from the evaporator where it comes out of the fridge box. At most you should see frost on 1-2 inches where it exits the box. More than that indicates a refrigerant charge problem.

[Stu Jackson]

You'll love it.

Here's a good reference if you have any more ?s

Kollmann Marine

[ThreeQrtrTime]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

So, don't need ice.

Set to about 2 to 3 for refrigeration.

Run it for a couple of hours at the dock to get it cold before leaving to save battery.

Check Kollmann link

Again thanks.