Like any other piece of machinery, marine refrigeration systems experience glitches. Unlike most other systems, however, you can’t just call out a repair technician when this cooling equipment conks out. Cruising across blue waters, you just know that nautically inclined appliance will fare better if you’re familiar with the problems it’ll encounter. Right now, standing near the refrigerator, the compressor is running constantly. What gives?
Marine Refrigeration Systems: Gas Discharges
The under-counter cooler is noisy. It runs all night long. Every single exhausted mariner can hear it humming in the galley. In all likelihood, the refrigerant isn’t maintaining the cooling cycle. An undercharged system forces the compressor to work hard, but there simply isn’t enough liquid refrigerant in the closed-loop tubing to keep the enclosure contents chilled.
Thermostat Issues
Before you go pulling the appliance free, check the thermostat. It’s a cramped space, after all, so someone might have accidentally bumped the knob and raised the temperature. On the other hand, if the thermostat isn’t showing any signs of life whatsoever, a circuit break has taken place between the power supply and the marine refrigerator.
Troubleshoot Electrical Problems
Powered by a 12-V DC input, a loose connection is a likely culprit. Has anyone been working in the vicinity of the engines? What about the batteries? Are they charging? Check for power, follow the cables, and trace down an interruption to the 12-V line. Keep a digital multimeter nearby, perhaps as part of the vessel’s emergency toolkit.
Interpret Diagnostic Codes
Fortunately, the equipment designers know that marine refrigeration systems place a burden on boats. They draw a lot of amps, come with compressors and chemicals, and they’re loaded with intricate circuits. That’s why top-tier branded units use specially coded LED indicators as a troubleshooter’s aid. Valuable information is acquired when these LEDs flash or illuminate in a special pattern. Low-voltage warnings, fan failures, thermal and high-current cut-out events, these failure conditions are all conveyed by LED flashes.
Some of these issues fix themselves. For instance, an overheated appliance can reset itself when the ambient temperature drops and the temperature cut-out clears. Some issues, however, demand expert attention. If the system really is losing gas, then the cause of that leak must be determined. Then, when the faulty compressor is repaired, it takes the services of a tech to recharge the escaped refrigerant liquid. More often than not, though, there are small niggling issues taking place. If that temperature cut-out does keep overheating, check to make sure the marine refrigerator has plenty of ventilation.