Fridgerator troubles- Solved

Wildboating

anyone a guru here?  Here is what I am coming up with:

On 110vac:

25.66v going into control module 

12.4v into transformer

No code flashing on 110 yet unit does not operate.  Fan does come on

12v

1 flash on led, indicates low voltage according to manual I seen  

12.2 into transformer

12.45 into control module

Handymans342

Faulty module. Duhhhhhh. Lol

Wildboating

Is it really?  Is this the transformer or the controller strip with all the connectors. 

Handymans342

What is going in to compressor?

Handymans342

The refrigerator should operate at 10V DC

Wildboating

Thanks.  Hoping the cockpit fridge has same controller on it.   I'm going to swap them and see if it fires up. 

rasbury

I also replaced a controller as well when I first got it. I think mine is only running on battery but since it has not killed anything and has not been a problem, I have bigger fish to fry!

rasbury

I think I found one on Ebay as well...

Wildboating

@rasbury Did your have the same symptom?

Wildboating

Replaced the controller and same problem.  I also swapped the resistor.  Between the two fridges the problem one sees 25.5v on 110 and does not work.  The working unit sees 25.9v and works.  

Wildboating

Stodge

The Vitrifrigo 4.2 CU fridge is a nice replacement.  Tight fit through the cabin door, but doable.

Just saying....

rasbury

Mine did not work at all...

Handymans342

Stodge said:

The Vitrifrigo 4.2 CU fridge is a nice replacement.  Tight fit through the cabin door, but doable.

Just saying....

I bought one but had to remove the rubber moulding though

Handymans342

Wildboating said:

Replaced the controller and same problem.  I also swapped the resistor.  Between the two fridges the problem one sees 25.5v on 110 and does not work.  The working unit sees 25.9v and works.  

Wild, I am trying to figure out your issue. I dont get the 25 volt. Is your compressor 12 volt? Or 24 Volt?

Stodge

Handymans342 said:

Stodge said:

The Vitrifrigo 4.2 CU fridge is a nice replacement.  Tight fit through the cabin door, but doable.

Just saying....

I bought one but had to remove the rubber moulding though

Ditto, thus my description of doable.  

Wildboating

Handymans342 said:

Wildboating said:

Replaced the controller and same problem.  I also swapped the resistor.  Between the two fridges the problem one sees 25.5v on 110 and does not work.  The working unit sees 25.9v and works.  

Wild, I am trying to figure out your issue. I dont get the 25 volt. Is your compressor 12 volt? Or 24 Volt?

Handy,   Apparently these units are 12/24.  When you are on dc the power supply passes the 12v.  When you are on 110 the power supply out put is 24v.  

Wildboating

I am getting closer to finding the problem.  I scored some new help guides that I will share soon.  

Handymans342

Did you ever measure the voltage at the compressor itself?

Wildboating

I measured at the power supply and at the controller power input.

Wildboating

I need to take my Fluke meter down to the boat, i think via some guides I just posted im going to find a quick blip where voltage drops below the cut out.  My MM on the boat a Craftsman is too slow to react i think.

Handymans342

Do compressor and report back

Wildboating

How are you checking at the compressor?  On the 3 pins coming off the ecu?

Handymans342

Yes unplug the plug and put your meter in that plug I've seen those plugs go bad before

Wildboating

Swapping the ecu would have addressed if it was a faulty connector.   Unfortunatley I had the same 1 flash code again.   I also swapped out the resistor between units to confirm it wasnt a faulty resistor causing a odd cut in / out setting.    However, i will pull the plug and confirm the readings when i get back down there.

Wildboating

@Handymans342

Update:  

Swapped power supplies- still will not start
Swapped Controllers- no start
Checked voltage drop- .10v / 25.5-25.4. In range
Checked continuity from pins to case/ nothing
Checked Ohms across pins- 2.2 ohms.  In range
Motor tries to start then immediately gets cut


I have exhausted all troubleshooting guides.  Anyone else have another trick?  I am getting single led flash- indicating low voltage. 

Wildboating

The answer was right in front of me!

 I received a code on 12v and none on 110.  However the compressor still would not start.  After troubleshooting everything I came full circle back to this very statement.  Why do I have code on 12v and not 110, what if even though I'm trying to start on 110 the controller knows there is something not right on the 12v line.  I drop the 12v line from the invertor and like magic,, the compressor starts spinning!   Now I need to recharge the refrigerant as there may be a pinhole leak.  Our coldest setting dwindle over the last 2 years but a can of refrigerant every 2 years vs $1000 refrigerator I'm good with until I get other things fixed. 

Now i I need to chase out why the controller does not like my 12v connection.  Power is steady around 12.5, thinking bad breaker or loose/corroded connection. 

Liberty44140

Good stuff Wild. Wow you have done a lot of trial! When I first got my 342 I was having trouble keeping the galley fridge cold. After cleaning out the coils and fan and repairing the gasket it has been working great but I looked in to recharging which I never did. I talked to Dometic about recharging and they said NOT to use the typical Auto Zone recharge as it contains oils that will ruin these units. It has to be straight refrigerant and has to be done right so that the pressure is not too high. The A/C tech in Rocky River that I mentioned to you could probably do that for you as well if you were going to need him for the AC. 

Wildboating

@Liberty44140. I have read the system is sensitive to pressure.  I planned to order straight R-134a refrigerant online but if you will shoot me your contacts info I will check with him first.  He would likely be able to pressurize the system so we can find the leak at the same time.    I feel like a fridge tech now, I know my way around each part of the danfoss bd35f system now.