I love the idea of not caring so much about being level, unfortunately it doesnt sound like its feasible without solar. Eye and skin protection must be worn when working on refrigeration systems. Annoyingly Calder's guide doesn't really cover Danfoss and he refers to using both the high pressure and low pressure side of the gauge, yet I remember my fridge specialist using only the low pressure side. Here is the long awaited link for the recharging instructions. North Dakota What are some additional pros of the Danfoss compressor refrigerator? If there is too little refrigerant in the system, it will have all evaporated back to a vapour long before it reaches the end of the evaporator. No refrigerant gauges are necessary for these adjustments, their use is not recommended except for major repairs and for evacuating the system No reference will be made to them in this guide. There will probably be a sound similar to a mountain stream coming from the evaporator. Alabama Alberta This setup can be used to recharge any system with a Danfoss compressor. What this means is that your RV will require a minimum of two 12 volt batteries (about 200 amp hours) and a effective way to keep them charged, either a 200 watt solar power system or a generator. 6 After a few minutes, the pressure dropped to 7psi and then down to 3, so I gave the system another 5-second charge. Queensland If you decide to have someone look at it, call David Lehmann at Sea Freeze in Bellingham. The consumption rate is typically 60 amp hours a day, which breaks down to 2.5 amp hours or 30 watts per hour. Ever had refrigerator angst? http://www.ryanairconspares.com/refco-m-10.html, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EZCHILL-AUTO-AIR-R-134A-REFRIGERANT-NEW-49-99_W0QQitemZ320636772767QQcmdZViewItem, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400028657105&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4082wt_1139, http://coxengineering.co.uk/Documents/Recharging%20a%20simple%20R134a.pdf. He's been RV'ing since 2002, is a certified RVIA Level 1 RV Technician, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers. Ive had an absorption the last 5 years. 2 The fridge is recharged via a valve mounted at the end of a short stub on the suction side, clearly identified by the green shrink-fit tubing. As a rookie, what is a trimetric 2030? Thanks in advance! Most manufacturers recommend at least 2 inches of insulation along the refrigerator compartment bottom, top and sides. Georgia But the copper lines leading back to the compressor, and maybe even the compressor itself will be also be cold and sweating. If you are unable to positively identify the suction side service valve, consult a marine refrigeration specialist. It works through a process called absorption. How much amperage does the DC compressor refrigerator typically consume? Hawaii I do not cover the use of a vacuum pump and so this is not suitable for a completely empty system or a system with moisture in the refrigerant circuit. -------- What heck are the discharge and process connections for? There will probably be some oil that is released with the refrigerant and this is normal. The amount of oil present in these cans may be harmful for small refrigerator compressors, although this is currently unknown. Logic (not knowledge) tells me if you need to re-gas, your gas has gone somewhere(? New Hampshire Utah In all cases it is the duty of the person performing the service to verify that he/she is not violating any laws or regulations by following these guidelines. If the system is seriously undercharged due to a leak, the problem will need to be rectified and the system evacuated with a vacuum pump before re-charging. New regulations in UK (Seehttp://www.acrib.org.uk/MG7OLH18285)will make the recharging of marine refrigerators more difficult or impossible for the DIY owner. This means you can run a compressor refrigerator while driving without having to worry about the pilot light blowing out. North Carolina These cycles can run as high as 100 percent at start-up in warm weather or 0 percent at night when the refrigerator door isnt being opened and when ambient temperatures are below freezing. One common problem is poor performance on summer days when ambient temperatures are high (90 degrees and higher). This means that there is still some of the refrigeration process going on inside the tubing and there will be a build-up of frost or ice on the exposed section. I suffered it myself for a short time last summer, after I accidentally discharged the refrigerant from the new fridge unit I had installed. Saskatchewan Thanks, Owen. I can't tell you how many times I have attended systems that have been so overfilled that I could not believe it was possible to hold that much refrigerant. Oklahoma All items needed for correcting the charge are readily available online or from a refrigeration supplier. Mike, thats a nice clear explanation of both types of fridges. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. Various experts on web forums warned direly of the dangers of getting air into the system, failing to purge the refrigeration gauges, overcharging with refrigerant and blinding oneself with escaping gases. Refrigerant removal should be done with a reclaim unit as gasses cannot be discharged to atmosphere. I purchased r134a in a very nice canister with a pressure gauge, and have absolutely no idea what to do next. Prepare the can of R134a for charging. If you are unsure about your ability to safely accomplish any of the following procedures or if you cannot positively identify the low and/or high-pressure service valves, consult a marine refrigeration specialist. This ensures the contents of the refrigerator get cold sooner. Nevada If you hire a technician to work on your Danfoss based system the first question you should ask is "What's the amount of refrigerant in the system"? All manufacturers have detailed spec sheets of their refrigerators online. I will add a disclaimer that you should hold a refrigerant handling qualification to carry out this work and recommend that if you are unsure how to charge a system you should contact a professional. Prince Edward Island Many thanks Rick. Whats its purpose? The source of this heat comes from either a propane flame or from electricity (110 volt AC or 12 volt DC). Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. He does nothing but marine refrigeration and comes to Anacortes one day a week. I don`t think it wears out or naturally diminishes. It pays to do some research ahead of time to see if theyre competent installers. If so much refrigerant exits in the system that it raises the temperature of the evaporator above 0C (32 F), the surface will only be sweating and cold to the touch, resembling an undercharged condition. After 45 days at sea, the sailing cargo ship KWAI has docked in San Francisco with 96 tons of recovered plastic, including ghost nets and derelict fishing gear from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. You dont want to release R-134a into the atmosphere, which is one reason to avoid overcharging by topping off the charge in small increments. I assume you are talking about the "C" connection - suction. Whatever your choice, and as long as you have a capable battery charging system, youll be sure to enjoy the benefits that the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator offers. The suction side service valve is normally situated on a stub that is attached directly to the top of the compressor. Definitely something Ill look into if the current fridge dies. Rhode Island Mississippi These are available from the same sources. Not only that but as the cruising multihull market continues to mature, the new features are not just read more, The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) announced its 12th class of inductees. As you can see, these numbers are far less than what you would see with a standard, three-way ammonia absorption refrigerator operating on 12 volts DC. Theres no doubt about it. Wyoming In some cases, for access reasons, an extension hose will also be needed to attach the canister. Labrador During the construction of our camper, we had the choice of installing either a Dometic CR-1110 Danfoss compressor refrigerator or the standard Dometic three-way absorption refrigerator. Michigan Locate the end of the charging hose that has a valve stem depressor, screw the opposite end onto the adapter. Ocean Voyages Institute, a non-profit organization based in Sausalito, CA, uses read more, The days of multihulls being the weirdos of the sea are gone. Washington, D.C. This does not fit the Danfoss system, for which an adaptor to a. 1 16oz (or similar size) can of R134a refrigerant. Its a Schrader valve, like those used on common bicycle tires. Newfoundland The refrigerator compressor basically does two things: it raises the pressure of the refrigerant vapor used in the refrigerator and helps to maintain the vapors flow rate. However, if you boondock for extended periods of time in cold, predominantly overcast areas like the Pacific Northwest then having a generator as a backup to a solar power system or as the primary means of keeping your batteries topped off will probably be needed. If he doesn't have a clue then he is not qualified to work on a Danfoss/capillary tube system. In a properly charged system, there should be a tinny, gurgling sound from the evaporator. Its been known to paralyze cruisers for weeks on end, trapping them in exotic ports while they lay in wait for that rare, elusive creature known as a marine refrigeration technician. This should allow some refrigerant gas to escape and maybe some refrigerant liquid. Kentucky West Virginia The 12 volt option and ability to adjust fan speeds according to ambient temperature make it ideal for applications [read more]. Although the Danfoss DC compressor is much more efficient running on 12 volt power than the ammonia absorption type, it still consumes a considerable amount of amperage during a 24 hour day. Well, in contrast with the ammonia absorption refrigerator which must be level in order for it to operate efficiently, the Danfoss compressor refrigerator can temporarily operate up to 30 degrees out of level without risk of damage. Northern Territory After reading all of the positives of the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator, you may be wondering which company makes the best one? The adaptors are available from Ebay traders and from Kooltech. So what are the pros of the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator? Refrigeration compressors are designed to compress gas only. Nothing illustrated this better than the 2021 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), which departed Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (in Spains Canary Islands) in November and wrapped up in December on the island of St. Lucia read more, There is, of course, nothing new about bowspritssailing ships have been using them for centuries. If youre planning to buy a truck camper from the factory, one of the most important decisions youll have to make is which type of refrigerator to have installed in it. The gas I bought does have a gauge on it, and while I can probably find the pressure in the specs, do you know the range I should target? Locate the suction side service valve and remove the valve cap. The purpose of this article is to provide a little history about the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator, how it works, and the pros and cons of owning one. Not only that, but the Danfoss compressor refrigerator doesnt require a fossil fuel, like propane, to operate, so when set-up with a capable solar power system, you can run one indefinitely. Too much refrigerant in the system will result in liquid still evaporating back to a gas past the end of the evaporator and inside the tubing going back to the compressor. If you cannot positively identify the suction side service valve, consult a marine refrigeration specialist. For you, however, the choice might not be so easy. I have a suspicion that there may actually be one of them that is correct. This is why refrigerators that employ vapor compression refrigeration technology typically use a lot of electricity. 7 Holding steady at 6psi, but I figured a bit more refrigerant would not hurt. All rights reserved. Personally, weve found that having a 340 watt solar power system and a 220 amp hour battery bank is more than large enough to run our compressor refrigerator and meet all of our other electrical needs. As it was I did as you say, adding a bit at a time in short bursts. Wearing gloves, eye, and skin protection, and with the system running, cover the top of the valve with a rag or paper towel, holding it there with one hand. Doing this can cut the refrigerators duty cycles and power consumption by half. Before deciding which condition exists in your system, please read all of the following thoroughly. The name Danfoss is a bit of a household word in the marine/RV industry which is why many still refer to this compressor as a Danfoss. Charge gas(little can upright) not liquid (can upside down) and only add very little, check operation, then add more if necessary. Add the refrigerant in small amounts (say 5 seconds) and then let the system settle down for approximately 10 minutes. Had there been an unidentified leak, the repair would have involved tracing and repairing it, then sucking air and moisture out of the system with a vacuum pump before recharging. Keep the can of R134a in an upright position while adding refrigerant so that no liquid is allowed to enter the system. Key features of this revolutionary compressor include rapid cooling, a low amp draw, and a whisper quiet operation. If you own a Danfoss compressor refrigerator, here are a few operating tips. Hi I will compile a quick guide to filling Danfoss refrigeration systems shortly as if you use this method it does not guarantee a completely full system. Having gone through the failures of an absorption unit myself and having to throw food out was such a waste. On a seriously overcharged system it may take repeated releases before the symptoms of a slight overcharge appear. simply open the valve while the compressor is running and the gas will be sucked in by the compressor. Washington Delaware It helped that I knew why my fridge needed a charge: soon after installing the Isotherm fridge unit I had undone one of the Danfoss BD35 compressors quick-fit couplings to make room for the galley sink drain hose, and heard a distinct hiss as the gas made good its escape. Basically, the ammonia absorption refrigerator uses heat to operate. Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Per NSHOFs rules, nominees must be American citizens, 55 years of read more, In the following excerpt from Wild Seas to Greenland A Sailing Adventure with Ocean Racer Ross Field, veteran mariner Rebecca Hayter, recounts how Field prepared the aluminum-hulled Rosemary, which he bought in France, for a try at the Northwest Passage People often ask: why read more, The Coast Guard says that the best life jacket is one you will wear, so comfort and function are important considerations when picking out a life jacket that suits your needs. The 12 volt DC mode found in the standard three-way refrigerator can address some of these limitations, but this mode can also consume anywhere between 8 and 23 amps an hour, an overly excessive amount that would run an RV battery down in a single day. Mike, excellent report on your CR-1110 refrigerator. Pennsylvania This archaic process of refrigeration works well, but, as we will explain later, it also has its limitations in certain RV applications. Unlike the Danfoss compressor refrigerator or the refrigerator found in your home, the ammonia absorption refrigerator neither uses a compressor, nor does it have any moving parts. With the system idle and having not run for 10 15 minutes, allow a small amount of refrigerant to be discharged from the Charging Hose to purge air from the hose, then screw the end of the hose onto the suction side service valve. Top manufacturers include Dometic, Norcold, Vitrifrigo, IsoTherm, and Nova Kool. Wisconsin Australian Capital Territory It was time to find out. Again, it pays to do some research ahead of time. There should be enough refrigerant in the system so that the last of the liquid is evaporating back to a vapour at the very end of the evaporator, and just as it enters the suction tube back to the compressor. Alaska It only takes a few seconds. Where the pure gas is available the following guide is applicable. A communications expert and licensed ham radio operator, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 as a CWO3 after 24 years, worked in project management, and now runs Truck Camper Adventure full-time. Otherwise, its contents will emerge as a spray of freezing liquid. RV boondocking wouldnt be half as fun without the creature comforts provided by todays modern RV. New South Wales No other insulation is required, and any extra that has been installed will only cause the system to run at less than maximum efficiency and may conceal symptoms of anovercharge. Why do fools fall in love? Many small boat refrigeration systems use one of the small Danfoss compressors to power their system. The literature that came with our Dometic CR-1110 lists a maximum current draw of 5.9 amps DC. This short length of insulation is installed to prevent any condensation that may occur as the cold tube leaves the refrigerated box and is exposed to hot, humid air. After running for a time, there should be a slight coating of frost all over the surface of the evaporator with no condensation or frost on the exposed section of copper tube back to the compressor or condensation on the compressor itself. Victoria The evaporator will probably sound the same as a properly charged system. If anyone is unsure please contact me via PM. Massachusetts With ambient temperatures in the upper 70s and at a temperature setting of 4.5 (1 lowest 7 highest), the refrigerator typically consumes about 30 watts or 2.5 amp hours DC. This power saving measure is especially useful during the night when the door isnt being opened as much as it is during the day. Danfoss was recently bought out by the German company, Secop, but Secop still maintains the Danfoss manufacturing operation in Denmark. They all use the Danfoss DC compressor, so generally speaking, they all offer the same performance and reliability. This is a huge plus for overlanders and boondocking enthusiasts as getting a perfectly level campsite can sometimes be difficult. New Jersey This heat starts a chemical reaction and the process of evaporation and condensation causes the refrigerator to cool. Vermont In this condition there will probably be a constant hissing sound from the evaporator. Maine This is a potentially damaging condition as liquid may reach the compressor where it can damage the valves. 1 Charging hose for R134a. Another issue to be aware of relates to the faulty installation of these refrigerators. Gone are the days of having to turn on your absorption refrigerator the day before your trip to ensure its cold. If the plate has an area that is not totally freezing then you may need to allow some more gas in ( with the bottle upright if it is a bottle with no dip tube inside). Minnesota Manitoba New Mexico 8 The wonderful sight of frost forming on the walls of the box brought a smile to my face. Iowa A marine refrigerator is wonderful thing as long as its working. More out of fear than knowing what I was doing, mind! Maryland Arkansas 1. Owen holds the necessary qualifications for this activity. I sat down with a fridge specialist and learned how to charge the fridge but that was some time ago and my memory is rusty. In this type of system, the temperature of the evaporator is directly related to the amount of refrigerant in the system. R134a is available in small cans that enable topping up or recharging, both in its pure form for domestic systems or with added oil for automotive air conditioning units. Im going to monitor it with a trimetric 2030 and then its solar time! Kansas Do not remove the valve cap from the discharge side service valve or connect anything to it. This should have a 1/4inch Schraeder fitting with valve stem depressor on the refrigeration system end and adapt to the refrigerant canister at the other. do this in short busts of say 5 seconds then allow a minute or 2 for the system to stabilise. This is usually achieved by screwing in the handle on the top of the valve assembly to pierce the can, but follow specific instructions supplied with your equipment. Tennessee Sorry about that I have not actually used one of those fittings I have always used standard refrigeration gauges as I have them already. Nebraska Thanks! Repeat the process as necessary until the system shows the symptoms of a correct charge as described in Section 1. South Australia Some of the surface will have a coating of frost, but from the point where all the refrigerant has turned to vapour, the surface will just be cold and sweating. 1/4 inch Schraeder fitting is needed. R134a refrigerant canisters currently come with a 13 mm fitting, as used for car air conditioning systems. It doesnt matter if its a slide-in or a chassis-mount, a hard-side or a pop-up, if its a truck camper and its carried on a truck, we cover it. All content is copyright of Mello Mike and Truck Camper Adventure 2011-2022. Last but not least, the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator requires only minimal ventilation. Arizona Ohio [QUOTE=RickB;118865]These are Schrader valve connections, right? The suction side service valve normally will be on a stub of tubing that is connected directly to the top of the compressor. On the other hand, I knew that topping up the charge in a cars AC system is such a simple DIY task that the refrigerant and hoses are readily available in auto-supply stores. The evaporator may appear and sound normal, but will be at a higher temperature than desired, resulting in longer than expected run times. Do not open the high-pressure service valve on your system, or connect anything to it. A standard car air conditioning top up kit can then be used to top it up. Every Danfoss label I have seen is limited to model number, serial, and refrigerant type. Western Australia. Living in the sun drenched southwest, this was a fairly easy decision for usthe Danfoss compressor fridge was the only way to go. Get it with Truck Camper Adventure's weekly newsletter. Reading assorted treatises on marine refrigeration only elevated my angst. Idaho Getting kids comfortable on the read more, 2022 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved. As for the installation of the Danfoss DC compressor refrigerator, insulation of the area surrounding the refrigerator is key. You must log in or register to reply here. That said, these days they are more popular than ever on cruising boats, thanks to advances in sails, sailhandling technology and boat design in general. Working with refrigerants involves potentially dangerous pressures and temperatures and precautions must be taken to avoid injury. British Columbia I have a Danfoss compressor, a fridge gauge set, a can of 134a and Calder's bible. The process may be repeated if necessary until the symptoms of a correctly charged system are met (see Section 1). Once the box was fully cooled down, this would almost certainly drop to 7psi or thereabouts. A qualified person will need to possess arefrigerant handling certificate that costs 500 to obtain. Charge it through the suction (low pressure side) while it is running. The gas/electric absorption refrigerator plays a big role in these comforts. Another benefit, of course, is that theres no pilot light. It is very important that you correctly identify the suction and discharge (if fitted) service valves. Makes sense and this will determine whether it is refrigerant or the compressor. Great article! The instructions for recharging are provided in this link in .pdf form Recharging a simple R134a.pdf, Toilets, holding tanks and associated matters, Bore glazing and polishing in diesel engines, Setting up your masthead standing rigging. A refrigeration and AC technician may be very skilled working on larger expansion valve systems and not skilled on small capillary tube systems. If you put in too much you will find that the suction pipe to the compressor will freeze up in this case it will be necessary to remove this refrigerant. We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. His cell phone number is 360-305-9573. Although mobile air conditioning (automotive) systems are excluded, the regulations will make the purchase of R134a without oil impossible to an unqualified user. These guidelines are intended for use by operators of R134a marine refrigeration systems in the UK prior to introduction of the new regulations, and laws covering the use of HFC refrigerants may vary in other parts of the world. You should see the frosted area on the evaporator increase after adding some refrigerant. Powered by WordPress. Such extremes are rare though. The quality of construction and the amount of insulation, or lack of it, is where the good units separate themselves from the mediocre ones. Too much or too little refrigerant will result in a system that will have some cooling effect, but will not be working to its full potential. This is when the fridge temperature is close to the required temperature but the compressor is still running. Doing this will allow you to monitor the refrigerators temperature and will allow you to adjust the temperature setting as needed. If you have any problems you can give me a call I have a vac pump you could borrow if needed as I see you are local. This is backed up by the very poor instructions that comes with my gauge kit. Holding plates will show a higher initial pressure, 10-15psi, and then drop to under 10psi. Me, I think the prudent move would be to find a guy to do it for you. Don't get any air in the system, purge the fill line before tightening the connectin to the compressor. I would recommend that if you are removing the schaeder valve and refilling you should really vac out the system with a vac pump but if it runs ok down to the temperature of cutting off on the thermostat you have probably got away with it. Well I managed it in the end anyway but I'd still be interested in getting hold of a good guide on this subject. I have kept these very basic for emergency recharging but will also work on a more in depth document for those with all the correct tools. After releasing some refrigerant, let the system settle down for approximately 15 minutes, then visually check the system. The refrigerator has worked perfectly since its recharge. California Ontario As the name implies, the key component that makes this type of refrigerator possible is the Danfoss BD35F compressor. If additional insulation has been added, it may be concealing this symptom and should be removed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Truck Camper Adventure is an emagazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. This compressor is able to accomplish both of these tasks and use far less power than its predecessors, which is why its so special. Texas This will do it but you need an adapter from the R134a car type connector to a 1/4 inch schraeder valve. Colorado All that changed with the release of the Danfoss compressor refrigerator in 1998. More than likely, this would have required the services of one of those elusive professionals. Finally, I take it that I don't need to crack the discharge port, just pressurize the suction side a bit? Once the refrigerator is operating at the temperature you want, back off the setting a bit (we like to turn down the temperature to 4.5) to reduce compressor duty cycles. Well I'm not sure how much help this will will help as I bought my gear when I was in Yemen, but a friend of mine has just bought the same gear here in India so I'm guessing it's easy to find the refrigerator gauge set. Here are some things to consider when picking out the right PFD. This is where the liquid refrigerant is fed into the evaporator and where the frosting begins. Do you know what the process port is used for? Montana In Dec 2013 I installed a CR-1110 in my own camper and have never regretted it. Moreover, the Danfoss compressor refrigerator takes only a couple of hours to reach its set operating temperature. I think refrigeration guys sometimes use a dye to help find leaks. Virginia Indiana JavaScript is disabled. New Brunswick Surely, if any doofus can top up a cars AC system, any doofus should be able to top up a marine fridge? On a slightly overcharged system you should see the frost line on the tubing move back towards the evaporator or disappear completely. By following the channels in the evaporator, one can determine the path the refrigerant follows and the end of the capillary tube can be easily identified. I usually start with the gas pressure equalised as you have described however they usually require more refrigerant than this in the system and you may find that the fridge still is not 100% efficient although it will probably run ok. A well charged system should have all of the cooling plate freezing and a bit of the return pipe towards the compressor sweating. Quebec Those are the pros, now lets look at the cons.
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