FYI: New Danfoss BD35/50 Control Module

[SV THIRD DAY]

For year folks have been accustomed to seeing the heat sinks on the Danfoss BD35/50 electronic controllers, as shown in the photo below for part numbers: Danfoss/Secop -101N0200, 101N0210, 101N0212. These compressors and controller were not just used by Technautics, but by every other 12v/24v marine refrigeration company out there for years......BUT....



Danfoss/Secop has changed the design of the 101N0200, 101N0210, 101N0212 controller and has been slowing getting rid of the old stock. You can still find the old controller (as shown above) at some online vendors that don't move large quantities, but you can no longer buy the older style controller from Danfoss/Secop.

The new style controller has done away with the external heat sink but still has the same part number. You can see the new controller in the below photo...minus the heat sink fins on the back.



The weak link in an otherwise legendarily dependable set-up has always been the electronic control module and there are three things take them out, in the order of what we have seen over the years:
1. Electrical spikes (From a Frogboat Dealer page: "If there is a voltage spike (above 17v on a 12v system, or 31.5v on a 24v system, this module will sacrifice itself to save the compressor."
2. Heat
3. General corrosive nature of the marine environment

Frankly, the new design that has done away with the external heat sink worries me a bit, as it would anyone who has put their hand on the heat dissipation fins over the years and had to pull it away quickly...hot baby!

In typical Danfoss/Seacop fashion, there was no heads-up or warning given to the buyers of their product. We found out when our pallet order of 144 compressors/controllers arrived and we opened up the first box and our assembly tech brought the new controller into the office and said, "hey...what is this"! So don't be surprised if you order a replacement 101N0210 controller and the new one arrives. From the testing we have done so far, we can't see any performance drops or problems with a straight swap out. What we hope is that this remains true for the other refrigeration systems out there that use the
Danfoss/Secop compressor/controller set-up.

Cheers

[Badsanta]

Thanks for the update.

[senormechanico]

Hopefully it's more efficient, doesn't need the fins for cooling and is more protected from voltage spikes.
Only time will tell...

[Jim Cate]

would it be to much to hope for that they have addressed the RFI that these units produce? Now THAT would be progress!

Jim

[Dougtiff]

Something not mentioned is the new electronics modules ramp up slowly, instead of hitting it with full voltage, which as I understand it was the real problem.

[wrwakefield]

Thanks for the heads-up, Rich.

Our oldest fridge [early 80s front loading Norcold] is too large to remove/replace until next time we schedule pulling the mast...

Since it still works- but is not nearly as efficient as our other refrigeration systems- we only run it occasionally when we think we need to.

Under the heading of optimizing what we already have, I've been watching these fellow cruisers develop this Fridge Optimizer product and wondered if anyone has any experience with these yet?

I have been considering installing one on that old Norcold to help with the times when we think we need to use it as a cooler... [Perhaps it is we who need the help...]

Separately, I know Engel also makes a couple of replacement compressor systems for retrofitting these old Norcolds units, but haven't yet received confirmation regarding compatibility...

Thanks again.

Cheers!

Bill

[edakira]

Rich

I cannot read the part number in your photo for this new Danfoss that has replaced the older 101N0210. I need one for my boat and am trying to price and also confirm exactly what I'm getting. Would you kindly forward to me the part number for this new module? And have you had any problems with it since install? Thanks much -E

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by edakira

Rich

I cannot read the part number in your photo for this new Danfoss that has replaced the older 101N0210. I need one for my boat and am trying to price and also confirm exactly what I'm getting. Would you kindly forward to me the part number for this new module? And have you had any problems with it since install? Thanks much -E

Ah yes...sorry about that.
The new part number is 101N0212
When we ordered the old part number they were just sending out the new one.

I have not seen any reported issues with the new controller yet and one we have running on our Danfoss test box unit is doing fine.

Here's a link to where you can buy one:
http://www.go2marine.com/product/389...mpressors.html
I sell them, but heck these guys sell them online for about what I can buy them for as a OEM builder...so you might as well buy one from them!

[Laughing Buddha]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

odule-101n0212-for-danfoss-secop-bd35f-and-bd50f-compressors.html
I sell them, but heck these guys sell them online for about what I can buy them for as a OEM builder...so you might as well buy one from them!

Another reason why I like/enjoy dealing with you ! Thanks, Shipmate!
Cheers - Jim

[poiu]

I had two die simultaneously just after I got a sparking short in the circuit. Maybe that caused a spike. They give the 3 flashes on test and you can hear them try to start, but give up. A back up controller works fine.

Can they be fixed?

[Typhoon]

I think Richard Kollmann still fixes them . Drop him a msg . He is a member here .

Regards

[SV THIRD DAY]

Unfortunately they are trash can items.

[poiu]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Unfortunately they are trash can items.

Crazy a known ‘fuse’ or regularly failing component can’t be simply replaced. 2 new units is $400.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by poiu

Crazy a known ‘fuse’ or regularly failing component can’t be simply replaced. 2 new units is $400.

The weak link in the Danfoss set-up has always been their prone to failure controllers. It's one of the reasons we bailed on Danfoss when they moved their production to China in 2006 and started using the Cubigel compressor/controller made in Spain. They cost a bit more, but their electronic control modules are not as failure prone and the Danfoss BD35/50 unit. Besides the money...it is simply replaced with a single screw and spade connectors. But I see your point, we all want replacement parts to be $19.95.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

But I see your point, we all want replacement parts to be $19.95.

With FREE shipping.