[C320-list] Refrigerator

[Phil Dubiel via C320-list]

I'm having a problem with my refrigerator getting and staying cold. If
anyone can offer guidance on what to look for and/or how to fix it, I would
appreciate your help. It barely cools. I've adjusted the thermostat dial
with little to no change in temperature.

1996 Cataline 320 - #365
Cleveland, Ohio
Phil Dubiel

[Steve Taylor via C320-list]

Phil,
When this happened to my fridge, I had a marine appliance repair guy come out and recharge the system. It use to take Freon R-22. Now days they use a more ozone safe product R- 134a (Tetrafluoroethane) after recharging the compressor, it works great now. The cost was pretty reasonable. I’m sure someone does that type of work in your area.
1995 Catalina 320
Everett,Wa
Steve
Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 13, 2026, at 7:59 AM, Phil Dubiel via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> I'm having a problem with my refrigerator getting and staying cold. If

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Phil:

If it's the original, you're better off buying a new Dometic Cold Machine instead of wasting money on an ancient, outdated system. Even the price of a service call would go a long way toward buying the new system.

The new systems aren't difficult to install, as long as you fit into the port stern locker where the compressor is located. I'm sure the 320 site has a number of instructions, including mine from when I did it.

I replaced mine eight years ago, and it has been running nonstop ever since with only one minor thermostat problem when it was new. Dometic sent me a new one for free.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.


________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Phil Dubiel via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2026 10:56 AM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Phil Dubiel <60du...@gmail.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Refrigerator

[ptormey 4square.net via C320-list]

There is an adapter you can buy that allows you to use the automotive chargers to top off your friend.
I had a shop replace my fridge unit so that the old freon would be captured. Turns out the never bothered.
So try it your self. Got nothing to lose.

Pat
Pat Tormey
S/V Blue Skies
Newport RI

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, 13 June 2026 11:39:51
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbre...@outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Refrigerator

[--Bill via C320-list]

I replaced mine a couple of years ago with…

Nova Kool LT201-RT6 Ice Box Conversion Kit

From Sure Service Marine Inc.

It was a relatively easy replacement

—Bill Ackerman

> On Jun 13, 2026, at 12:17 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> Phil:

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I replaced mine in 2022 for $930 including shipping with a complete new LT201-RT4 Nova Kool refrigerator.  It was almost identical to the Cold machine. Works great. 
My old unit did pretty much the same as yours but then quit completely.

The Nova Kool was recommended highly by several other owners who did the same thing. It cost a lot less than a new cool machine and is warranted longer.

I didn't see the benefit in messing with my old unit.
I can provide more details if desired.
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 10:58 AM, Phil Dubiel via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: I'm having a problem with my refrigerator getting and staying cold. If

[ART HARDEN via C320-list]

Sent from my iPhone

I kept having problems with my original unit. I spent money on a vacuum pump to vacuum it down and recharge it. Even doing all the work myself I spent several hundred dollars. And in the end, it still did not work right. I changed mine out to the nova system and it has worked perfectly for the last two or three years. The only issue I had was everyone said it would take two hours to install it. With my engineering mind trying to analyze everything. It took me four hours. The new system does not use near the energy the old system did

Art Harden
Catalina 320 "Tortuga" 243
E-42
937.885.9380 (o)
937.477.5544 (m)

> On Jun 13, 2026, at 7:54 PM, Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> I replaced mine in 2022 for $930 including shipping with a complete new LT201-RT4 Nova Kool refrigerator. It was almost identical to the Cold machine. Works great.

[Charles Holbrook via C320-list]

My mother board just fried on my reefer.  I'm looking into a new unit and have found the Dometic CU-100 or CU-86 Cooling unit.  Not sure which one is better or what replacement evaporator is compatible.  There is a $500.00 price difference between the CU-100 and CU-86.  Any advice would be helpful.

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

I believe I have a 100, and it works fine. The bigger unit requires less effort to keep things cool. The other choice has to do with the size of the freezer unit in the box. I bought a small/medium size, and I sometimes wish I had spent a little more for a larger unit. Mine can freeze ice cubes and a couple of pieces of meat.

I was somewhat staggered by the prices these days. You-know-who's tariffs and inflation are killing us. The cost has more than doubled in eight years. I wonder whether the Nova is the better deal.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.


________________________________

From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Charles Holbrook via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2026 10:32 PM
To: c320...@catalina320.com <c320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Charles Holbrook <charles...@ymail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Refrigerator

[Troy Dunn via C320-list]

Jack-

I was similarly surprised when I went to Defender to get the pricing and
info for the Cold Machine. Surprised twice, the first price i found was
~$1600, my reaction was "wow that's a lot to pay for a glorified dorm
fridge" and then i realized that was ONLY the condenser unit! At that
point I opted out of recommending the product hoping someone can recommend
something more reasonably priced (perhaps with softstart and variable speed
control to save some Amp-Hours). We love our cold machine and have no
complaints about it. If you are flush with cash and just don't have
anything else to spend your money on....go for it, you will not be
disappointed in this product.

Side note, as others have stated, I do NOT recommend recharging an AC
system, and any HVAC pro that is recommending it is scamming you. The
system is sealed...if you lost the refrigerant charge you have a leak and
you will lose the charge again over a relatively short period of time. On
larger more expensive systems, they may recommend refilling and adding dye
to figure out where the leak is, that's a reasonable thing to do on certain
systems, a fridge isn't one of them.

FWIW-

Troy Dunn
Hull #514

On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 11:00 PM Jack Brennan via C320-list <

[Paul Alldridge via C320-list]

Hello

Our fridge works fine, a bit too well as it freezes products left to close to the ice container thing. I guess it may need a new stat

The problem we have is the skid base on which the condenser sits is rotten and will need to be replaced in the next couple of years. I am not sure which model we have and whether to replace all of it as its offered as a kit, or just to replace the skid only with the compressor etc. mounted on it.

Reading this string, I get the feeling it is prudent to buy a kit and replace the whole lot, although not sure which one to go for as there are many to choose from. Any advice graciously received.

Kind Regards

Paul Alldridge

1999 C320 #636
Poole UK

--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
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[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Conversion Units — Nova Kool Manufacturing ULC
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Conversion Units — Nova Kool Manufacturing ULC

Evaporator Kits & Cooling Unit Options
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A great much less expensive system that pretty much matches the old  Adler Barbour Cool Machine.
Dave Hupe 
1994 C320 #32Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 10:34 PM, Charles Holbrook via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: My mother board just fried on my reefer.  I'm looking into a new unit and have found the Dometic CU-100 or CU-86 Cooling unit.  Not sure which one is better or what replacement evaporator is compatible.  There is a $500.00 price difference between the CU-100 and CU-86.  Any advice would be helpful.

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

$1084 ($930 in 2022 for me)  complete new  NOVA KOOL system with 2 year warranty https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/Ice-Box-Conversion/LT201-RT4_2.html 

$2360 ADLER BARBOUR Cool Machine System$1437 (compressor only) 
https://defender.com/en_us/adler-barbour-coldmachine-cu-100-condensing-unit-755400000 plus $923 (evaporating unit) https://defender.com/en_us/adler-barbour-vd-150-coldmachine-evaporating-unit-755500000