Frigoboat spares kit recommendations?

[Hhew]

I’m looking to put together a spares kit for a 19 year old Frigoboat AV35F (air cooled) refrigerator. Currently runs great, no history of problems, but I’m planning on being remote for a while. Any recommendations for “high likelihood of failure” parts that I should kit up? Short of proactively replacing the whole system and keeping the original as spares, which I have considered. Thanks in advance.

[Bowdrie]

#1, electronic module.
#2, a fan.
#3, thermostat.

When it gets beyond that you're into gages and refrigerant, along with spare O-rings for the couplers, (some coupler designs don't use them).
Regarding the couplers, don't de-couple them unless ABSOLUTELY necessary, as in to replace the condensing unit or the evaporator.
They're the kind of fitting where you leave well enough alone, (in fact, don't even look at them).

[CarlF]

The o rings should be replaced every five years or can get get a coolant leak. If you aren't sure when they were last replaced, replace them now.

The next most likely repair is a new compressor controller, fan, followed by a new thermostat.

Take this Frigoboat troubleshooting guide with you.

[dfelsent]

I had an issue with my capillary tube freezing due to moisture.

https://www.coastalclimatecontrol.co...t/188?Itemid=0

I installed a filter drier and it solved the problem. It’s been years.


I’d think about carrying one.
Or a vacuum pump a gauge set and refrigerant

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by CarlF

The o rings should be replaced every five years or can get get a coolant leak. If you aren't sure when they were last replaced, replace them now.

Heaven only knows how this popular misconception keeps getting spread around.
This is from the Frigoboat manual;


"NOTE: The spare O-rings provided as a convenience for use if any get damaged during system
installation. They are NOT provided for use as routine replacements, and the original O-rings
should never require replacement if the systems are installed and operated as designed".

[Hhew]

Thanks all. I got pretty much the same advice from coastalclimatecontrol.com and got the parts ordered.

[PNWSalmon]

Some of the fans have a 5 amp mini fuse (car type) that can be hard to find in places. Maybe a couple of those if your system uses that ?

[SV Confianza]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Heaven only knows how this popular misconception keeps getting spread around.
This is from the Frigoboat manual;


"NOTE: The spare O-rings provided as a convenience for use if any get damaged during system
installation. They are NOT provided for use as routine replacements, and the original O-rings
should never require replacement if the systems are installed and operated as designed".

That doesn't seem true for the keel cooled versions. They run hotter in certain conditions and mess up the o-rings. We had a leak, replaced ours, and the leak was gone. So, sample size of 1, but seems to be consistent with many.

I've also had a leak at the Schrader valve cap. Still looking for good replacements for those (in case anyone knows?)

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by SV Confianza

I've also had a leak at the Schrader valve cap. Still looking for good replacements for those (in case anyone knows?)

You want the ones that have an O-ring inside them.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/CD-Valve...-Cap-Pack-of-6
Your local "Parker" store will have them also.

[SV Confianza]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

You want the ones that have an O-ring inside them.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/CD-Valve...-Cap-Pack-of-6
Your local "Parker" store will have them also.

Awesome! Thank you!

[Strygaldwir]

I'd also solder on wire with ring terminals instead of the slide on type. When you are doing a lot of miles, you tend to get a bit of corrosion on the terminals, and you don't want undervoltage conditions.

[PNWSalmon]

Originally Posted by Strygaldwir

I'd also solder on wire with ring terminals instead of the slide on type. When you are doing a lot of miles, you tend to get a bit of corrosion on the terminals, and you don't want undervoltage conditions.

You are 100% correct. Wish I’d thought of this before we left the northwest. Been fighting corrosion in these bits and very low voltage to go with it. It’s in the project list somewhere now.

[Marathon1150]

We have a similar vintage Frigoboat unit. The controller failed about 3 days away from Nuku Hiva but fortunately we also had an Engel on board. We used the Engel (which after 25 days at sea had some spare space capacity) to make ice which we moved into the refrigerator. And then a miracle occurred. Kevin in Nuku Hiva had a used controller on hand that he had previously extracted from somebody else's boat. The used replacement has been working well ever since.

The only other problem that we have encountered was a result of the PO replacing whatever original refrigeration was in the boat with the Frigoboat but without upgrading the wiring. When the batteries started to get low (never less than 60%, 2 x Lifeline 4D AGMs) the Frigoboat struggled to start the compressor. The problem disappeared after the installation of bigger wire.