Where in the World Is My Refrigerator Compressor?

[Steelshooter]

I just bought a 77 Catalina 30 this past August and the built in refrigerator is not working. I have no idea where the compressor or condenser is located. Fixing the system should be no problem if I could locate the parts.

Next question: any idea what make and model stove came with this boat? I called Catalina directly for some answers and after talking with the person answering their phone I can only guess she's really hot because that is the only possible reason that I can determine for her to work there.

[Vasco]

I don't think this boat would have come from the factory with a fridge so it must have been put in by one of the previous owners. Have you tried looking?? You have the boat, we don't. Look around. You'll find it.

[Sailmonkey]

These things are not built like a car. three catalina 30's of the same age will, more likely than not, have three different stoves. As for the fridge, not original equipment, I'll almost guarantee it. you'll have to look for the compressor and do some troubleshooting or hire someone.

[S/V_Surya]

Most boats of this era came with a Kenyon 2 burner alcohol stove. For fridge follow hoses from cold plate probably under cockpit hatches deep in recesses.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Steelshooter

...I have no idea where the compressor or condenser is located. Fixing the system should be no problem if I could locate the parts...
... any idea what make and model stove came with this boat...

What's it say on the stove? Can you post a picture?

Have you tried tracing the refrigeration lines from the evapourator (in fridge) back to the compressor etc?

[syoder]

Steelshooter,
Check the engine first just to rule out an engine-driven compressor. If it's not there, I would probably try to follow either the wires from the breaker panel or the tubing from the reefer. I know that both of these things can be difficult to nearly impossible, but there's really no option. Like Sailmonkey & Vasco said, this is probably not a factory installation. The bright side of that is that someone had to run the wires and tubes after the deck was joined to the hull. If they could do it, you should be able to get at the parts as well.

As far as the stove goes, you might post a picture of it here and someone might be able to either identify it outright or at least give you an idea of where to start. On my stove, I found an ID plate under the hinged stovetop. Yours might be there or maybe on the back (flashlight, mirror, yoga required).

Are there no Catalina user groups? I get a wealth of information and ideas from my fellow Westsailors on the Westsail Owners' Association website. Catalina owners must have something similar.

Good luck,
-Steve

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by ewingengr

Most boats of this era came with a Kenyon 2 burner alcohol stove. For fridge follow hoses from cold plate probably under cockpit hatches deep in recesses.

Some Kenyon Stove references:

➥ http://www.angelfire.com/fl/cruisingkeywest/kenyon.html

➥ http://www.angelfire.com/fl/cruising...t/kenyon1.html

[Bash]

Originally Posted by syoder

Are there no Catalina user groups?

Catalina Owner Forums - SailboatOwners.com

[barnakiel]

Trace the tubes ...

[S/V_Surya]

www.catalina30.com.

[senormechanico]

If it's like most boats I've seen, the air cooled condenser is mounted as close as possible to the engine. <sarcasm>

Steve B.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

the air cooled condenser is mounted as close as possible to the engine. <sarcasm>
.

Thats where our fridges are... between the engine and the oven. Go figure!

LOL

[Steelshooter]

Sorry all I guess I wasn't very clear with my last post.

The stove that was originally installed was removed by the previous owner and an apartment style refigerator put in it's place which is nearly useless unless the boat is at it's slip and plugged into the shoreline. I was hoping to remove this refigerator and replace it with a stove something akin to what originally installed.

The icebox has an evaporator installed which looks like an ice cube tray. It's large enough to hold a couple of trays. Is it possible that this was some sort of retro fit?

I know I could climb around and try to trace down the lines and see where they go. The boat is on the hard now and shrink wrapped so getting back on board is some with problematic until the spring. I was just wondering if this evapoator was factory installed where might the condensor and compressor be located? Just one of many questions that arise while waiting until spring.

I'm putting together my project list for the spring. So far on the list is replacing the wooden spreaders with new aluminum ones. Relocating the engine controls to the Steering Pedestal. installing a new GPS chartplotter and painting the hull. If I could install a new stove and get the refrigerator working I would be sitting pretty good for sometime.