Do our refrigerator condensers have a cooling fan? I live 100 miles from the boat. Don't want to drive there to check it out.
If it doesn't I thinking that might be a worth while improvement. I'm also thinking of a battery powered fan for inside the frig. I have read the helps even out the cooling.
Any ideas?
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Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Yes if air cooled unit, chic
Yes it does with the air cooled.
On an additional note last year I replaced the original OEM wiring which was undersized for the length of run. Original #10 now #8. Still noticed that the red idiot light would flash and fan cycle too often when running on just the batteries. Not so when engine running. This past week while out cruising I heard the pesky recycling of the fan again and picked up the manual and read within 5 minutes a line that turned on my brain. Right there it stated it would be better to hook the feed right to the battery. If your familiar with your wiring you will note that Catalina (at least mine) routed the wire (#8) from the common switch to the windlass breaker than fed the rest of the panel with a #10 from the windlass breaker...duh!
I had a length of #8 and went right from the common to the panel and guess what? Worked great with no cycling on an off because of voltage drop even when the battery bank was down 25%
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
Thanks for the replies. I can't wait to get down to the boat to check this out.
Gary, where is the red light your talking about? I haven't seen this yet.
What I'm trying to do is get a handle on my power usage. I plan doing a lot of 4 to 10 ten trips. The frig seems to be the biggest draw by far.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Chuck,
I had to replace the original AB refrigeration system about 3 years ago and the control panel on the compressor has the light.
BTW one of the biggest items on your consumption journey is to replace all your lights with LED's. Also if you are not aware the switch that opens and closes your solenoid for the gas supply consumes a good amount if left on. Best is to use and shut off when done.
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
Just heard about this fan from a marina neighbor. Claims with it on continuously it consumes 2 sets of batteries a summer.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/fridgecool-fan-with-on-off-swi...
Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
I like it. A Couple D batteries are cheap.
Thanks
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611