Alder/Barbour ColdMachine Trouble Shooting Guide

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Whispering Eye's picture
Whispering Eye
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Alder/Barbour ColdMachine Trouble Shooting Guide

I started having problems with my ColdMachine this fall and Jacob with Dometic sent a very helpful no nonsense troubleshooting guide that he personally developed from his years of experience.

I thought it might be helpful to other members so I have attached it to this post.

Marc Nachman
Whispering Eye
2004 Catalina 36 MkII

s/v Whispering Eye

2004 Catalina 36 Mk II  #2201

SRFM/WK/M35b

St. Petersburg, FL
 

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TomSoko
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Posts: 978

Marc,
This is great! Thanks. I've also posted the guide in the Manuals section of the website.

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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deising
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Posts: 1351

Thanks, Marc and Tom!

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

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plaineolde
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Posts: 753

Does it include making sure some idiot didn't break the sensor tube from the temperature control to the ice box scraping off ice with a spatula while defrosting??? Don't ask me how I know about this. ;)

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

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gforaker
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Posts: 133

Don't be so fast to say low voltage error is not the electronic module. After several years of intermittent problems and low voltage error readings, I finally replaced my electronic module. It did fix the problem and according to posts on other forums, I am not alone. It is far more common than you explain.

Also, people should realize that the thermostat can be taken apart to adjust the set screw inside to change the adjustment range of the thermostat. Even on full cold setting my unit would shut off too soon and not get to a low enough temperature. Adjusting the screw inside it changed the range of adjustment.

Gene Foraker
Sandusky Yacht Club
Sandusky, OH
1999  C36  #1786
Gypsy Wagon

PGeorge
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Posts: 2

Hello All,
I was wondering if someone could help me with a problem I am currently having with my refrigerator. I have a Catalina 36' with a Adler-Barbour Cold Machine and it has been working fine for a while, but a couple of weeks ago somebody unplugged the shore power line from my boat ( I think to use the A/C plug on the dock and didn't replace the cord ) And the Boat is on an echo battery charger system so the refrigerator slowly drained the 3 batteries down to the point where I couldn't start the boat 2 weeks later when I returned. Ever since then the refrigerator will not work. The fan turns on for about 20 or 30 seconds then stops and then there is a tone ( Beep ) that comes from the motor unit and then the fan turns on again. But no cold in the refrigerator. Seem to me there must be a re-set button or a fuse that popped to get it up running again. If anybody has a suggestion to fix this problem I would certainly appreciate it.
Best regards,
Peter

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GaryB
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Peter under the maintenance header is a trouble shooting guide for refrigeration. Sounds like voltage is the problem;
3.) Watch the voltage AT THE INPUT OF THE UNIT AS IT’S STARTING AND STOPPING. You will see a
significant drop in voltage. The low voltage cut off is 10.4VDC, but you will probably never see it
get this low on your meter because of buffers etc installed in the meter. If you see a drop of
over .5VDC you have a problem. You will need to track down the boats wiring, find your loose
connection/corrosion that’s causing the high resistance. You may even have a weak cell in the
battery.

Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine

PGeorge
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Posts: 2

Gary, Thank you so much ! I'll go check that out and see if I can get it up running again. Thanks so much for your suggestion.
Best regards,
Peter
Home : Cypress,Ca
S/V:" It's a wonderful life "
Moored at : Long Beach, Ca
P.s ... OMG ! my family is from Auburn, Me
lived at 438 Turner st. ( Hey Gary, It's not only a wonderful life .... It's a small world as well! )

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GaryB
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Posts: 579

Yes it is, Peter! Wish you good luck with your problem solving.

Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine

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