Stuttering Frig - attempt 2

[macbeth]

I think the moderator deleted my previous posting, because I absently-minded called the frig incorrectly !!!! Sorry, too much stress !! So try again !

The icebox frig will start up, run for 10 seconds, stop, then try again, and again, and again. Other times it runs OK for hours. It consists of a compressor in the locker, a open rectangular box condensor, with a flap on it (thus making a freezer, and a frig), and a temperature dial with sensing tubing running to to condensor. The frig (old icebox) is about 4 cub ft.

Is this an electrical problem, lack of coolant, or something else ? How do I go about diagnosis ? Thanks.

[Vasco]

Sounds like an electrical problem, low voltage or poor ground.

[Talbot]

Might also show a lack of refrigerant, or an intermittent fault in the thermostat

[macbeth]

So electrical, thermostat, or refrigerant !!! i.e. anywhere ?

Let's start with refrigerant: How do I check that ?

Additional info: After I've turned it off to stop the stuttering, I may leave it for an hour or so, or even overnight, e.g. last night. When I click the breaker switch, it takes at least 15 minutes before it will even start stuttering. When I first turned it on at the start of the season, it took about two days of turning it off, on, before it would even start stuttering. Then it went for a while, but after a couple of hours of "proper" running, it started stuttering.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by macbeth

.......Let's start with refrigerant: How do I check that ?......

Lots of You Tube videos with instructions.

Personally I would be looking for a domestic refrigeration engineer or a vehicle A/C man (more likely to visit!) - both of whom would be able to give you an answer quickly

[Vasco]

Check your battery voltage at the fridge to start with. make sure the wiring connections are tight.

[Caribsailors]

Make & Model
Please.

[Richard Kollmann]

Advice is difficult to give without knowing type compressor most 12/24 volt units use a Danfoss BD compressor with a computer like micro processor control box. Hopefully this troubleshooting profile will help you repair unit without spending money on one or two service calls. If you need additional help contact me. Because of reported interrupted attempts to start compressor follow item 4 first. Then item 5 .

Three and Four pin Danfoss BD troubleshooting

If your refrigeration unit is over 10 years old and has a Danfoss BD 2 or BD2.5 or BD3 compressor then it has the older discontinued electronic 4 pin module.

Troubleshooting Danfoss compressors with 4 pin modules will consists of the following steps:

1. All of these compressors have a 4 pin module connector and their modules contain an external fuse. If this fuse is blown there are two reasons why either power wires to module are reversed or module has an internal failure.

2. Check to see that there is actually power at the refrigerator control module.

3. Place jumper wire across thermostat terminals on electronic module, Compressor still does not run go next step.

4. Disconnect black fan wire from electronic module, Compressor runs, replace fan. Compressor still does not run after fan ground wire is disconnected, go to next step.

5. Run correct size and correct polarity jumper wires direct from a fully charged battery in order to bypass all boat’s wiring. Volt meter readings are of no value when looking for voltage spikes. Compressor still does not run electronic module needs to be removed and tested on another unit. If there are no other units available to test your module on I will test all 12 volt Danfoss control modules free except for BD80 compressor modules. Small 12/24 volt boat refrigeration using Danfoss compressors manufactured after 1996 will have a BD 35 or BD 50 variable speed compressor with a troubleshooting computer chip built into their control module. This circuit makes them easier to find troubled area if compressor fails to run. If your unit does not have this $2 LED install one, it could save you a lot of money now and later. Without the LED on these new units troubleshooting will be the same as earlier 4 pin Danfoss BD compressors. I can also loan or sell you a module.

[marc2012]

Had the same problem,turned out to be a bad connection.marc

[Talbot]

This link is worth following for refridgerant top-up questions

Refrigeration

[HappyMdRSailor]

1. Eliminate bad connections by inspection....
2. Measure current draw while running.... Write down a) startup b)running c)draw when compressor stops...(I'll bet it ramps up)
3. Suspect you are overloading a breaker without tripping it, bad breaker, bad connections, or compressor load too high for some reason...

[macbeth]

Originally Posted by Caribsailors

Make & Model
Please.

EZ-Kold, Picton, Ontario. Don't have model with me.

Thanks for all the responses to date, but I'm afraid this problem will have to wait for a while - life is over whelming me ... be back to you later !