Adler Barbour (Dometic) Cold Machine

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tangled
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Adler Barbour (Dometic) Cold Machine

The original Adler Barbour Cold Machine, now owned by Dometic, on our 1999 36MKII is not getting cold. When I turn on the the electrical panel switch the compressor comes on and sounds normal; however, the plate simply does not get cold. Upon inspection I found that the "temperature dial?" attached to the inside of the referigerator and which never had markings, is for lack of a better word - frozen. It will not turn,even with pliers. I plan on contacting Dometic but thought to see if anyone else had this issue. Thanks
 
Tom Bolen
​Nothport, NY - Long Island Sound
1999 Catalina 36MKII #1780
Spirit

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HowLin
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Joined: 1/12/12
Posts: 355

I have the same unit and have not had this problem, (although I have tweaked the fridge a bit)...
The dial is simply a thermostat and you should be able to wire in a number of different types/brands of thermostat without issue...

---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----

--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----

--- 1999  C36 MkII  #1776 M35BC ---

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rbrooks
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Posts: 46

I have a 1999 and the "fan" is noisy and hell.  Is there a way to replace the fan? The frig still gets cool. 
Thanks 

Bob & Maggie B. Hobby Time 1999 C36 MK II TM/Wing Hull #1796 Warwick, RI

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russellmm
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Posts: 7

G'day Bob, did you resolve the noisy fridge issue? Mine has recently become quite noisy such that I'm a bit worried about leaving the fridge on while the boat is unattended - not to mention the distracting noise while I'm aboard at anchor trying to concentrate on nothing!
My boat is 2001 so I guess the fridge compressor unit will the same as yours.
Thanks, Russell

Russell
2001 Mk II 'Cafe Del Mar'
Hull 1978
Brisbane, Australia
 

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Mother Ocean
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Posts: 38

Hi Tom
As long as the thermostat isn't turned to the off position the plate should still get cold. The noise you are hearing is most likely only the fan. You can put your hand on the compressor and should be able to feel a strong vibration if it is actually running. Your unit may just be low on Freon. Hope this helps.
 

Tim Askew

 S/V Allure​
1990 Catalina 36 Hull # 1079
Std Rig, Wing Keel, M25XP
​3 Blade Auto Prop
​Elizabeth City, NC
 

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GaryB
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Joined: 10/26/08
Posts: 570

My guess is that you have a panel on the compressor with an LED light. If the thermostat switch is not shut off you are hearing it start and possibly the fan. See if there is a sequence to the light flashing on the panel with the compressor. In your manual there should be an explanation of the flashing code. Ultimately your problem may be the thermostat switch, but I also suspect you need to recharge the system  as well,

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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HowLin
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Posts: 355

Since Tom's boat is just 4 hulls later than mine, he may not have the 2-PC board unit with an LED indicator on his fridge controller board (mine doesn't).  If the compressor is indeed turning on (which means his thermostat is locked in the 'on' position) then it is most likely a coolant issue as mentioned above, if the noise is the fan, then it could be either the compressor or the controller...
In any event a qualified marine fridge tech is probably needed (wherever you find them these days...)

*** Check out the file I am attaching ***

---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----

--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----

--- 1999  C36 MkII  #1776 M35BC ---

Attachments
AttachmentSize
PDF icon AB Fridge Fault Guide204.64 KB
dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 231
Just noticed this thread so I thought I would comment. As for the thermostat, easy to replace. Years ago I was able to by one off the shelf at WM. Now, for the noise, it's most likely the fan bearings. Just replace it. I had a frig mechanic do it. Temperature? Have that mechanic check the refrigerant. Ours was cooling to about 60 degrees. I had it recharged and now the freezer is at 20 and the box at 38. We try to never turn it off even if the boat is in the slip over the summer. Much easier on the system.

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

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Pgutierrez
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Posts: 224

I am having to replace Dometic (Adler Barbor) problematic refrigeration unit that sits in the port locker - ours is 22 years old.  I would appreciate comments about replacement units.  Reliability and cost of Dometic and other brands.   Thanks.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

dpower
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Joined: 6/20/08
Posts: 231

Peter, we replaced our unit after 22 years as well.  I was originally looking at an Isotherm unit through Defender.  I talked with the manufacturer regarding amp draw, compressor/fan noise and for the cost, we thought that was the way to go.  Local boaters even suggested I could do it myself.  I then realized that I would have a problem.  We required to have the traditional freezer unit and no just a cold plate as we had certain ice cube requirement when cruising.  The Isotherm freezer box was much bigger than the original with our Cold Machine.  It would require some modification to fit it in side our frig area.  It could be done though.

When I talker with our trusted AC/refrigeration guy he told me he would not install any unit bought online, no matter the make, because he was concerned about warranty issues and any warranty work that may be needed.  He said that a new Dometic unit would be an easy switch out, including the freezer box.  That sold us and that is what we did.  He also assured us that the new units were much more efficient and would draw less amps.  I may not be entirely accurate, but without the solar panels on, it would average less than two amps per hour, probably more like 1.5.  It was a good decision to go with Dometic.  
 

David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL

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sidthekid
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Posts: 47

Hello Peter G,
Is your unit not getting cold? We had to have the "refrigerant" replaced by a licensed technician twice last summer. Since the the second refresh, 20 year old fridge is working great. But the new model sounds good too...

Bill & Barb
s/v Northern Lights
2002 Catalina 36 MKII #2086
Rock Hall, MD
Northern Chesapeake

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Pgutierrez
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Posts: 224

Those with fridge fan noise: maybe clean fan blades - it's amazing how much junk dust accumulates over time.  Also a shot of lubricant on fan shaft???
Our current issue - refrigerator was serviced last year, emptied old refrigerant, then refilled by qualified Dometic service technician.  

2022 update: It was recommended to replace thermostat control, not too difficult a job (took cover off, took pictures of wire hook up for reference, swapped in replacement units).  Upon firing up first time this year, compressor ran for four hours and temp in refrigerator never cooled).  Am waiting for replacement quote from marine refrigerator technician.   Stay tuned.  

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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Pgutierrez
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Posts: 224

I replaced both the compressor  Dometic/Adler Barbour CU-100 ColdMachine (air cooled), $900 and evaporating unit VD-151 $685 from Defender.  Package included new rotary thermostat control, All in, tax & freight $1706.  Excellent service from Defender.  My old unit was 22 years old and the previous summers Freon recharge was fruitless.  With assistance from one friend, we were able to remove the old units and install the new equipment in about six hours.  Just follow the instructions.   The cold plate (rectangular box inside the refrigerator) has 15 feet of coiled copper tubing welded (brazed?) to it.  You must connect the thermostat sensor to the side of the cold plate BEFORE hanging the cold plate in the refrigerator. You have to carefully uncoil the copper tubing and feed it to the aft port storage locker (it takes two people to do this part, then after the full 15' have been fed to the locker, carefully recoil the copper tube making sure to not KINK the tube as you will need to hang this coil under the shelf where the compressor sits on.  This is the most difficult part and you might end up with bruised ribs from the contortionist exercise required to hang the coils. POA.  Installing the compressor on the shelf was a piece of cake and connecting the copper tubing to the compressor was very easy. Keep in mind that the wrench sizes that they indicated in the instructions are wrong. Do you want to connect the copper hose to the compressor before securing the compressor the shelf. It may take 12-24 hours after start up for the refrigerator temp to reach 40F.  It has been three weeks and we are very pleased with it. Most of the time when we get to the boat the temperature is reading between 38 and 40°. This is in Wisconsin where inside cabin temperatures can reach 90° during the day. We leave it running all the time as we have shore power at the dock.  

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

Ken Krawford
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Joined: 8/27/20
Posts: 9

Not to hijack this thread but the compressor/condenser fan on my A/B unit has died and the original Sunco KD 1212PTB3-6A doesn't appear to be available.  Does anyone have a source or equivalent part number for this fan?
Thanks.

dhickmanii
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Joined: 7/27/18
Posts: 27

So I recently bought a complete CU-200 Adler Barbour Cold Machine.  I have a spare, new compressor.  If you are looking for one, go check out the classifieds.

https://www.catalina36.org/community/classified-ads/accessories-sale/adl...

David Hickman
Mobile, AL
1983 Catalina 36 MKI #154
Beach Belle

David
Mobile, AL
S/V Beach Belle
1983 Catalina 36 Mk I #154

Std. Rig, Fin Keel, M25

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LeslieTroyer
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Posts: 533

You can bypass the t-stat by jumpering The C&T connections on the Secop controller (black one).   If it gets cold get a $10 generic fridge t-stat from Amazon. 

Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo 
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor. 

Commodore

 

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