In this fast paced world, many people forget to thank those that go the extra mile (or is it kilometre?) in customer service. But I would like to share my experience during the recent installation of a freezer on my yacht. After researching the various options, a eutectic fridge with a power monitoring system from Ozefridge was selected. As I was unable to measure the freezer space myself, I relied on the advice of the Catalina dealer. But he did not follow the advice in the brouchure, and selected a plate two sizes too small. So the incorrectly sized plate was selected and installed. It did not help then the third party installer did not follow the instructions and mounted the small plate too low in the box. Throw in some damage to the unit during installation and it all just seemed like it was not meant to happen.
Now, I also got the fresh water cooling system included, this cycles water from the fresh water tank through the heat exchanger, to help the efficiency of the unit. When they did turn it all on, the house pressure pump kept running when the freezer compressor ran. Instead of asking “why is the pressure pump running”, they just dismissed it as “it must have air in the system, it will work itself out”.
Of course, the claim experts (they both had 30years of boating experience) had connected the water lines to the positive side of the pressure pump, so every time the compressor cycled, it opened the cooling water circuit, and the pressure pump forced water through the system. They had also wired up the little water pump incorrectly (I do not think they even opened the instruction manual).
Well, by this stage I was getting frustrated, what was meant to take half a day to install, had taken 2 days and still did not work. I got a friend to take a look at it, and sort out the water circuit issues, and the unit did get cold. But with a plate that was far too small, it did not keep everything in the icebox frozen.
But then the guys from Ozefridge stepped in. Not only did they offer to replace the damaged components, they also offered to upgrade the eutectic plate at cost price (went up two sizes, and almost double the volume). Then they organised their local service agent to come and remove the old unit, and install the replacement bits. All they wanted to do was make sure I was happy with my decision to install an Ozefridge. Jeff Green from Ozefridge even called me on the Saturday and Sunday to track the progress of the problems. Now it’s all installed and working, and my sincere thanks go out to Jeff at Ozefridge for the time and effort he put into fixing a problem that was not his. I know what brand freezer I will install in my next boat!
I have no commercial interest in the company – just a very happy customer.
Cat375 - Rock The Boat - Hull 54
Lake Macquarie - NSW - Australia
Hi Rockstar
Its good to see a happy and satisfied customer. Are you able to supply me with the specifications of the fridge/freezer unit and some contact details of the company you used, as I suspect my fridge/freezer unit is up for replacement soon.
We have only had our catalina 36mk2 for approximately 10 months. Currently the boat has a Waeco ColdMachine series 50 fridge unit fitted in the icebox which does a very little more than cool the air in the fridge compartment. The Danfoss compressor runs almost permanently not doing the battery bank much good.
Can anybody advise as to what the problem could be.
Bernd
Catalina 36mk2
Sydney, Australia
Bernd Rominger
1995 Catalina 36Mk2, Wing keel, Hull 1413
'BORN FREE'
Gippsland Lakes
Australia
Even a perfectly operating system will run much of the time if the ambient air temperatures are very high, the insulation/leakage is poor, or the condenser unit cannot reject the heat adequately. If the system is low on refrigerant, that is another possibility.
Low battery voltage can also make the system run longer. And lastly, the thermostat can make the unit run too long.
However, if the unit is still not cooling well, I would suspect items in the first paragraph.
Good luck.
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/
I selected the Ozefridge, with the power optimising function, because it promised the best use of available power. Normally a eutectic system freezes the plate, then slowly melts while it keeps the icebox cold. When it is almost thawed, the compressor kicks in and refreezes the fluid. But the ozefridge monitors the available power, and when there is excess power, it tops up the frozen fluid, so when the power drops, the tank will be at full capacity. With the solar panels, as soon as the sun comes out, and the batteries are being charged- the freezer will be topped up.
I installed the following unit.
Model: C450/T45-33 Refrigeration unit: C450 Eutectic plate: T45-33
Plate dimensions overall: 450 x 330 x 105mm
Options : ECO-2 Power economizer, P3 Water pump kit,
They also deliver internationally.
Again - no commercial interest - just a very happy customer.
BTW - a group of Catalina owners from Lake Macquarie are coming down to Pittwater for a weekend - either the weekend before or after the long weekend in October - if you are interested.
Cat375 - Rock The Boat - Hull 54
Lake Macquarie - NSW - Australia
Wow. I love the idea of the power optimization.
I try to do that manually by placing the thermostat at max during the sunny daytime and then lowering it at night. I also make it a point to recharge the laptop, cell phones (should we be in cell phone range), spotlights, handheld VHF, etc. when we have excess power available. This way if we have a day or two with little sun, everything is fully charged when we need it.
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/
My 1995, Hull number 1469, had no way for the hot air from the compressor to escape from the lazerrette. I noticed at a boat show that later models have a vent on the bulkhead about the refrigerator. I cute a 4 inch round hole next to the compressor unit so it can vent into the cabin and it made a huge difference in the cooling capacity of the Waeco unit. I know that the vent could also use a fan that would make it even more efficient. In any event, a cheap way to improve things is to add the vent if you don't already have one.
Elliott Milstein
Collaboration #1469
1995 C-36MkII
Port Annapolis Marina
Thanks for all the advice. I suspected some of the possible problems which could be causing the problem. I already have the vent and fan fitted to the bulkhead and have installed new batteries (3 x 100 Ahr deep cycle GEL) with 2 x 80 W solar panels. So far we have found that the amps and voltage is good.
I guess, the next step would be is to have the system re-gassed and check the thermostat.
Rockman, thanks for the offer of meeting up in Pittwater, unfortunately this wont be possible this time round as we reside in Melbourne and will most likely only be taking the boat out again in December.
I will certainly be investigating the Ozefridge further.
Bernd
Catalina 36MK2 - 1413
Sydney, Australia
Bernd Rominger
1995 Catalina 36Mk2, Wing keel, Hull 1413
'BORN FREE'
Gippsland Lakes
Australia
Does the fan that pulls air through the condenser run? My unit ran almost all the time and did not cool very well until I discovered the unit had a fan which was not running. I ordered a replacement fan from Jameco. After installing it the unit does not run very often and keeps the icebox cold.
[QUOTE=Howard;6445]Does the fan that pulls air through the condenser run? My unit ran almost all the time and did not cool very well until I discovered the unit had a fan which was not running. I ordered a replacement fan from Jameco. After installing it the unit does not run very often and keeps the icebox cold.[/QUOTE]
Good point. You can get a much less expensive replacement fan from Radio Shack! 4 inch muffin fan. You'll just need four slightly longer bolts to attach it. $25 vs. $43 or more for a fan from a "marine" fridge guy.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
The fan I ordered cost $14.95. It was an exact fit and very similar load and air flow. The Jameco number is: 227901.