Stu,the fan is working fine,i didnt know there was a fuse somewhere else besides the breaker panel...not sure what you mean by 'the module',is that where the wires come into the compressor/condenser unit..i will check voltage at the unit when it shuts off tomorrow thanks.

Thats what i was afraid of CapSam..i see Defender sells the module for $400 and the whole compressor unit for $800..deep sigh...

Stu,i cant find modules on the Kollman site,only books and lots of good advice.I sent him an email about this,do you have another source?thanks Greig

Stu,ignore my previous post..Dick Kollman just replied with a detailed email..yes he still sells these units..plus he offers cheap testing of my existing unit..will post my results thru this process after i follow more of his testing guidelines.thanks for your help and the link,Greig

Stu,no problem,i am out the door for a 7 day Gulf islands/Victoria trip..(with ice in my fridge)when i get back i will figure out how to post his emails..cheers

Just an update..while cruising the gulf islands last week,the fridge quit again.Taking the advice i received in hand,i managed to remove and clean the pos/neg wires into the module,figured out how to remove the fuse cover and fuse(which was corroded)..it has run perfectly ever since.Out of curiosity,i timed the on/off cycles..approx 5 mins on...then 10 mins off,maintains +3C..so its running 20 mins of every hour..Is this a lot?I get 2 or so days without charging the batteries(4 golf cart 6 volts,new),then they are pretty low.
Stu,can i send you the emails from Dick directly?if you give me your email i will just forward them to you,you can then post them or whatever you like.

Stu,here are the emails from Dick Kollman..
"..Unless you have Superman's eyes checking voltage is of no value when looking for a low voltage micro spike. The module recognizes a spike and will terminate compressor start up, this is why test number 4 is important on older boats. As far as touching module and compressor stops have you cleaned module fuse contacts? What about cleaning and replacing plus and minus wire terminals at module?"
RLK
----- Original Message -----
From: greig williams
To: [email]richard@kollmann-marine.com[/email]
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 2:55 PM
Subject: RE: elect module

Thanks Dick,yes i have a 20 yr old AB fridge on my Catalina 36..It was shutting off on its own,so i bought and installed a new thermostat..its still doing it,runs fine for 4 days then for no reason,shuts off,then when i jiggle and tap the module it goes again,perhaps for another 4 days with no problem..i will test for voltage levels at the module after compressor shutdown but,as you say,perhaps this is of no value,regards,Greig
:

1. Place jumper wire across thermostat terminals, Compressor still does not run.

2. Disconnect black fan wire from electronic module. Compressor still does not run after fan ground wire is disconnected. One of the 10 transistors in this fan fails it can cause module to prevent compressor from running.

If Compressor runs after black wire disconnected replace fan.

3. Run correct size and correct polarity fused jumper wires direct from a fully charged battery to module in order to bypass all boat’s wiring. Volt meter readings are of no value at module. Now if compressor runs there is a bad electrical connection somewhere in boats wiring causing a low voltage spike during compressor startup.

Compressor still does not run electronic module needs to be tested on another unit.

I closed my shop but after seeing what is being charged by boat refrigeration companies who will test modules charging $50 and charging as high as $385 for new 4 pin modules, I decided to test and sell modules for a fraction of what is currently being charged.

If your shipping address is in the US I will test your module on my Danfoss compressor refrigeration test stand. This test stand will run at max compressor load for a one hour. I will then return your module to you for a shipping and handling charge of $20.

Four pin modules for BD2.5 and BD3 twelve volt compressors only:

New module non Danfoss $150 plus $15 insured shipping. Modules will only be shipped to addresses in the US.

Because your unit is old and if it needs a new electronic module there is a risk that something is wrong that caused module to fail so most companies will refuse warranty of these modules. This is my electronic module warranty:

If any used module I sell fails to operate your unit it can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.

Any new module I sell can be returned for full credit within 30 days. Because of my own risk involved for the next 11 months I will return only 50% of the new units purchase price if module is returned within the first year.

To have module tested or purchase a new four pin module send check to:

Richard Kollmann

2430 Sugarloaf LN

Ft. Lauderdale FL, 33312

From: [email]richard@kollmann-marine.com[/email]

For future reference,if anyone has fridge or "module"issues,one of the things that held me from correcting this problem earlier was the really difficult access to the wires into the module..I really wasnt able to clean and correct the crust and corrosion until i realized that the module is only held onto the compressor unit by 4 screws! simply unscrew them and the whole module comes away with about a foot of slack on the wiring...very easy to service once its out in the open. Also i no longer put my wet mooring lines in this locker..this is now a dry locker only.