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Carver mariner 330 1995 question

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by crashgtr, Sep 21, 2013.

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  1. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    With the fridge which is Tundra t80, it does not seem to run on AC at all if the 12v circuit breaker if turned off. Is that how it is supposed to work?

    I am thinking about replacing it since it only seems to work randomly on either power type and we already had changed the power unit.

    Can anyone recommend a more reliable and quiet fridge that would fit?

    Thanks!
  2. snelltyke11

    snelltyke11 New Member

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    Look at these...

    We have the same boat...go to Summit Frig. we found one that fits perfect! keep in mind these are 110V only, some have backup 12V and they are designed for the medical market and stay cold for 5 hours with no power.
    Home | Summit Appliance
  3. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That's a DC only fridge, not an a/c-d/c. With an a/c only fridge as previously recommended you could find yourself spoiled unless you keep your gen running. With the D/C only fridge it runs off your batteries, and your batteries are continually charged by the motors or battery charger when the gen is on or you're on shore power. I think you're better off staying with the D/C. Leave your house battery on and you'll be fine.
  4. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    fridge

    would like to get one that works off either. The one installed doesn't seem to do that
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    They have them, but they're considerably more expensive. Check on line. Norcold is one brand. If it comes down to a choice between AC or DC though, I'd stick with the DC. With a strictly AC you're dependent on a generator when out, and the marina maintaining power, your cord not coming lose or someone not accidently flipping off your breaker at the dock.
  6. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Is it normal that the reefer circuit breaker would make the fridge not work on ac if the fridge has ac and dc option built in?
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    If both the AC and DC breakers are on and there's a source from both I'm not absolutely sure, but I believe it would choose AC. If the batteries or the DC breaker are off, and the AC breaker is on, then it would choose AC. Often boats your size have a standard panel with both switches in case the owner puts on a gen or switches to an AC fridge, but they install the DC fridge as standard equipment because many won't install or use a gen.

    BTW, a Google search told me that your unit is DC only.
  8. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Thanks NYCAP123.
    The T80 has ac & dc options according to the manual, Our T80 has fridge did run on ac & dc when we first bought the boat in May but shortly after it stopped working on AC so we got a replacement part for both power sources or at least we thought so. We noticed that is was running off shore power one day and then not the next but of the DC circuit breaker is turned off it would not run. When we tested the fridge we tested it without the DC connected and we tested plugging it into the boat's outlet and the also plugging it into the honda generator we brought to the boat.

    Over the past several weeks when at the dock plugged into shore power it was working on somedays when we came to the boat and other times it was not. Seems that the DC is only working consistently when the boat motors are actually running so we were thinking that the maybe we need some new stronger batteries but it still doesn't explain when the AC works sometimes and not other times even when plugged directly into the outlet for shore power.

    That is one of the reasons I was asking about the circuit breakers seems it will not run off AC if the DC breaker is off. There is no special breaker for the fridge only main AC 1 breaker since the fridge is simply plugged into an outlet.

    very frustrating especially since we thought we had it working ...

    We are also sure all the new connections for the new power supply are correctly crimped and secure.

    The only thing can think of is that there is some other wiring issue in the fridge that we can't find, hence the idea to buy a new one.

    Thanks for the replies!
  9. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I DK your level of experience, so no offense intended, but let me go to basics.

    Your panel has an AC and DC side. If you only have the fridge breaker on the DC side it should only be DC. Is it possible that you're mistaken about it getting power from the AC side when you first got the boat in May? It takes time to understand a new boat. Also, the fridge does come with an AC "OPTION". Sure it has the option?

    If you're right about that, then plug a light into the outlet. If it lights brightly the problem is with the fridge. DK if I'd fix an 8 year old fridge. If you only get a dim light that's a DC outlet.

    Certainly check your batteries also. Do you know when they were last changed? Also, do you leave your charger on when away from the boat? If not the fridge probably runs the batteries down.
  10. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Our NovaKool fridges are both AC and DC. They use DC compressors, and the AC mode is essentially only a power supply that converts available AC to DC, as in most consumer electronics these days. When both AC and DC are present, the system chooses AC.

    Your Summit unit may be similar, especially if documentation says it runs on a DC compressor. If so, it may just be that your AC power supply is toast (or perhaps whatever it is they implemented that makes the smart switch to AC when AC is present). Not sure I'm reading your note correctly, but maybe the DC power supply is a bit iffy, too. Or if it's not the power supplies, maybe the compressor is on the way out.

    Boat fridges don't last forever. Especially if venting isn't great. You may have gotten your money's worth.

    -Chris
  11. weto

    weto Senior Member

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    I wonder if these refers that are 2 way (a/c & d/c) are like the units we use in the RV biz ? The RV types require 12v on all ops to run the pc control boards. Of course we use the Norcold, Dometic and the newer Atwood (helium) heat absorption models. Just a thought.
  12. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Yes, in general, they are... same brands, same models... and in fact it's often easier/faster to find parts or replacements for marine units... at the local RV store.

    One difference is the three-way units, though, that will also run on propane. Not sure those are very common in marine installations...

    -Chris
  13. snelltyke11

    snelltyke11 New Member

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    Frig

    I don't care what others are saying? I have the same boat and paying the extra $$$ for a frig that runs on 12V is just not needed unless your marina has power problems. my 120V will stay cool and freezer frozen for hours when giving the genny a rest...
    Its your call but to replace the OEM will run you 1400.00 $
  14. snelltyke11

    snelltyke11 New Member

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    Its the frig dude... I have never got more than 3 years of good service for a A/C - D/C frig. A Norcold or Dometic will do the same thing after warranty.
  15. garyohv

    garyohv New Member

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    Other marine/RV 115VAC refrigs ALSO REQUIRE 12vdc to work (for the control panel), you must feed 12v to work.
    Do you have an AC compressor and DC inverter, or DC compressor and AC converter? Look for a fuse inside.
    AC/DC refrigs automatically switch to DC when AC lost, and can turn off when bat. low, or 12v power turned off.
  16. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Lastest status on reefer issues

    This year we moved to a new marina and the reefer seemed to be working ok.
    It seems that even though the carver owner manual says it runs off ac when the DC reefer circuit breaker turned off.

    For us it is not working at all if the breaker is turned off.
    It seems to work fine when underway with the breaker on.
    When attached to shore power the compressor only seems to only work when battery 2 is engaged.

    I haven't tried to run to on AC by running the generator yet.

    I am wondering why the carver manual says to turn off the circuit breaker but that doesn't work.

    Any suggestion on how to troubleshoot possible wiring issues?

    Thanks
  17. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Most I've used either grabs AC when available or runs strictly off DC and the charger keeps the battery up. It sounds like you have a DC fridge.
  18. crashgtr

    crashgtr New Member

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    Power unit supposed to switch

    We had to replace the power unit last year and it said it automatically switches to ac when available so I am sure it is not a dc only reefer.

    I am wondering if there was some wiring hacks that may be causing the issue
  19. Sea Ya

    Sea Ya New Member

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    I have the same refer in my 1989 3607 and it is definitely a dc compressor refer which has an ac converter attached. The dc refer breaker has to be on, while the power cord is ac and not even plugged in.
    I bought the boat knowing that the converter was shot. When I went to order a new one I was advised by the tech at Dometic that I should find out what fried the unit (definitely charred ) before ordering a new one and have the same thing happen again.
    Well for 5 years now the unit is running off my batteries with the charger pugged into shore power and not a problem. Don't know how old it is.
    I was going to replace it with an ac refer but without modifying the cabinets I could not find a suitable model