12 VDC Power Source for Sea Frost Refrigeration

[rers...@netscape.net]

Since 2002 my air-cooled, Sea Frost 12v refrigeration has started up without hesitation whenever the thermostatic control dial was turned from its 6 o'clock OFF position clockwise to its 12 o'clock mid-range RUN position...until today. 

It doesn't appear to be getting power at all.  I have started to trace back the power source to the nearly impossible to access compressor unit under the aft head sink.  In my 18 years of ownership I've never been able to find a circuit breaker or switch for the refrigerator circuit.  I've never even located where the refrigerator power is connected to the rest of the system.  If anyone out there has a clue, I'm hoping you can share it with me.

Baffled Once Again,

Reed Erskine  J42 #65 Cayenne

[Todd Stevens]

First verify that you have 12vdc at the compressor terminals. If not you’ll need to trace wires back to the panel. 

If it’s like other reefer units, two terminals, when connected to an (optional) LED, blink out an error code. (I save future time and install such an LEDat the control panel, during installation. 

Seafrost is generally pretty generous with customer service time. Why not give them a call or email first thing Monday morning?

FWIW I found a shitload of stuff scabbed on to the “stereo”circuit but that may have been the choice of the first owner. 

Todd Stevens

Sent from iPhone

On Jul 13, 2024, at 17:52, 'rers...@netscape.net' via J/4X Owner's Group <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Tom Keffer]

I've found a DC circuit tracer super useful for problems like this. They allow you to follow wires through the boat.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBW3K469

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[John Plominski]

My 1990 J40 has an isotherm system in it, but a similar "no breaker" set up.  I put in a 12v, air cooled seafrost system this spring and found the power came straight off the house batteries with a fuse in line on the positive conductor.  This made sense for how I use the boat (fridge basically turns on in the spring and stays on until we come out of the water and are done for the season).  I can turn the unit off from the SeaFrost controller or pull the power supply fuse.  If I was going to add more equipment in this area (under aft head sink area/forward area of the cockpit locker) I would probably have a sub panel type breaker set up.  This is where I'd add a water maker and the electric flush aft head is also already in place and wired directly in a similar manner.  Hope this helps!

[rers...@netscape.net]

Todd, thank you for the rapid response to my query.  The problem I have always had with the compressor unit under the aft head sink was that, of all the contortionist torture challenges that the J42 offers enthusiastic trouble shooters, the access to the compressor is without peer.  I can almost get a head or an arm under there, upside down, but beyond that I have yet to achieve so much as a screw removal.  The fridge has always functioned, even when the circuit breaker board was completely depowered.  The fridge seems to have a direct connection to the battery banks.  I'll continue to investigate tomorrow and let you know what I find.

[rers...@netscape.net]

Thanks Tom and Todd for the useful info regarding my fridge problem.  After sleeping on it, I came back in the morning and turned the manual thermostatic control up to the max setting, all the way clockwise to 5 o'clock and forgot about it for awhile doing other chores.  When I came back and hour or so later, the compressor was humming along happily and the cold plate starting to freeze.  Sometimes these things happen when it comes to boats.  They have a life of their own.

On Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 9:23:38 PM UTC-4 Tom Keffer wrote:

[Bill Bowers]

Another benefit of the removeable corner mod to the sink cabinet we made on ConverJence to provide full access to the starter motor. 

 Will post the pics again. 

Cheers

Bill #3

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 16, 2024, at 3:25 PM, 'rers...@netscape.net' via J/4X Owner's Group <j4x-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Todd, thank you for the rapid response to my query.  The problem I have always had with the compressor unit under the aft head sink was that, of all the contortionist torture challenges that the J42 offers enthusiastic trouble shooters, the access to the compressor is without peer.  I can almost get a head or an arm under there, upside down, but beyond that I have yet to achieve so much as a screw removal.  The fridge has always functioned, even when the circuit breaker board was completely depowered.  The fridge seems to have a direct connection to the battery banks.  I'll continue to investigate tomorrow and let you know what I find.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/200e935a-9041-43eb-9938-0e60b338707fn%40googlegroups.com.

[gale...@gmail.com]

Another key component to check is the temperature sensor inside the refer. Mine had become unattached from the cooling plate due to constant in and out of stuff and was not giving good data to the snowflake control unit and compressor. This sensor must be in contact with the SeaFrost cooling plate. Tip came from SeaFrost and was a lifesaver for controlling compressor operation.

Galen

J42 Tango

[Jason]

If you are looking again, I also have the SeaFrost 12V system (J/42 #70), and my fridge is hard wired directly through a fuse to the battery.  I guess they didn't want anyone to disconnect the system while the compressor was running.  

Jason

[Jason]

I have the factory 12v SeaFrost as well (J/42 #70), and it's wired directly to the batteries through a fuse.  

Jason  

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 12:25:35 PM UTC-7 rers...@netscape.net wrote:

[David Jade]

For what it’s worth, I was just told by our Annapolis SF tech (who is the son of the SF founder), that direct wiring is sometimes preferred because even a breaker can introduce unwanted voltage drop. Especially since the thermostat or controller can be used to shut them off. 

David                      _/)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Jul 19, 2024, at 4:02 PM, Jason <jboat...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have the factory 12v SeaFrost as well (J/42 #70), and it's wired directly to the batteries through a fuse.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/j4x-owners-group/7eec710a-8b25-46ba-a5fd-eda6c05dd067n%40googlegroups.com.

[rers...@netscape.net]

Hey David J,

Your enlightening comment about the advantage of direct fused 12v connections coming directly from Sea Frost is worth quite a lot..  It helps  explain some of the voltage drop mysteries I've encountered over the years.  Thanks for passing along this interesting nugget of info.

Reed Erskine J42 #65  Cayenne