Access to Electrical connections on Fridge

[Marvin Isgur]

My fridge has stopped working. When I turn on the breaker, there is a momentary increase in the power draw and then it returns to normal draw.

Has anyone had to access the fridge wiring? I cannot figure out how to get there without removing the entire cabinet top.

Thank you.

[Dan Griffin]

Do you have the original Isotherm refrigerator?
If so, you can pull the stove out and you will be able to get at the refrigerator wiring and compressor. Although it may just be your thermostat which should be in the refrigerator compartment.

Dan G

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 2, 2024, at 2:22 PM, Marvin Isgur <kir...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> My fridge has stopped working. When I turn on the breaker, there is a momentary increase in the power draw and then it returns to normal draw.

>
> Has anyone had to access the fridge wiring? I cannot figure out how to get there without removing the entire cabinet top.
>
> Thank you.
>

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[bill pittore]

I thought you could get to the wiring by removing the Formica panel on the backside of the cabinet but no dice. Totally useless and I broke the Formica.

Bill

[Marvin Isgur]

Yes, it’s the original. I will give that a try. Thank you.

> On Nov 2, 2024, at 1:34 PM, Dan Griffin <griffin...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Do you have the original Isotherm refrigerator?

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/4950951A-7C18-4EDC-BB88-22B4F5D647CF%40gmail.com.

[Marvin Isgur]

Thanks.  

On Nov 2, 2024, at 1:43 PM, bill pittore <bill.p...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/CAFi%3DF1JQ-CR5k-cL-9dvyc4G2yEOhy5fCu19QQ4g3EsFOnsbnQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[david mills]

I am not on my boat and cannot check this right now, but my recollection from a project several years ago is that the entire stove can be released and lifted out, making some parts of the fridge accessible through the grill. This may not help with the wiring you need to access, but it may be worth a try.

Dave M
Island Time

> On Nov 2, 2024, at 3:18 PM, Marvin Isgur <kir...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Yes, it’s the original. I will give that a try. Thank you.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/DA9D7DAF-BC61-4C0D-8645-4CFF05CF4634%40sbcglobal.net.

[Marvin Isgur]

Thank you.

> On Nov 2, 2024, at 3:21 PM, david mills <millsd...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I am not on my boat and cannot check this right now, but my recollection from a project several years ago is that the entire stove can be released and lifted out, making some parts of the fridge accessible through the grill. This may not help with the wiring you need to access, but it may be worth a try.

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/catalina355/43B3DA61-C93B-4E38-A8D7-BCD197F39E44%40gmail.com.

[Sam Paul]

I may be late to this but I did want to give some details how I solved my refrigerator issues.    My fridge stopped working late last summer and after chatting with Warren Pandy at Catalina, he encouraged me that it was likely the electronic control module.   It took me just an hour by myself to replace the unit and the refrigerator is working again.   Here is my journey:

1.   After hunting awhile on phone calls with Isotherm - I found the part number and they had me call  Beard Marine.  Guillermo was super helpful and got me the right part: SEG00002DA

 

2.  Replacing it requires removing the cabinet below the oven and pulling the oven out.

I was still nervous about getting to the unit and making the replacement

• It sounds much more daunting than it is.   I suggest starting with taking the screws out of the lower cabinet (Not required but space will be limited when you have the oven pulled out and set towards aft stateroom door..  There are 4 of them 2 on each side toward the front of the cabinet painted white to match the cabinet interior
• I had to remove the oven before removing the cabinet.
• To remove the oven, it sits on two brackets on either side.  I had to push a tab back to make sure it lifted up and I was able to lift it out and set it in front of the aft stateroom door.  It is not light but not sure there is enough room for two people.  It was manageable.   
• Gently remove the cabinet by pulling it up and out.   It was a bit puzzling at first but really pretty easy.  I just slid it up and out
• Then you can remove the 4 screws on the cabinet wood.  I also removed the little white vent so i could grip it but not required.  I just didnt want to break the vent if I put too much pressure
• Finally that exposes the control unit and the compressor

3. Replacing the control unit.

• By far the toughest part of the job was finding that goofy small screw that holds the unit against the bracket on the compressor.  It really is easy but I just wasnt thinking.   If you look on the new unit you will see where it is.  Once you get it undone I wiggled the unit off the bracket.   
• Pro tip - Try taking some pictures before this to get the wiring right when you install it.   Also pay attention there are some cables that have attach but have a small tab for the positive and negative wire.
• When you pull the unit off - you will see it is attached directly to the compressor with a three prong connector that you just pull on the wiring connection straight back.   
• Once you get the old unit off and the remove the wires. 
• Just reattach to the compressor - there is only one way it can go on
• Put the module back on the bracket and attach the securing screw.  
• Pro Tip -  I made the mistake of putting the wires on it first before attaching to that bracket.  It makes it very tough to get that small securing screw back in there with wires in the way.  
• Hopefully you got a good picture of the connections (without that I would not have known how to attach)   I actually used a pen and wrote which prong it was attached to when I removed it.  Came in handy

4. Turn on the refrigerator and test it works.   

5. Put the place back together.

I am happy to say it was working when I left the boat today.   I thank Warren for giving me the courage to give it a try.  It REALLY is not that hard.  

SIDE NOTE - I panicked when I saw the unit didnt look exactly like what I received.   However with quick Gen Ai chat - I found out the upgraded and redesigned it.  So I did have the correct part - Beard Marine was very helpful. Here is my chat with GenAi

The Isotherm 101N0212 and 101N0210 are both electronic control modules for Danfoss/Secop BD35 and BD50 compressors used in marine refrigeration systems, but they differ in their design and compatibility.

• 101N0210: This is an older model of the electronic control module. It has been discontinued and is no longer in production. It was widely used in Isotherm units since 1998 and connects to the compressor with three pins.
• 101N0212: This is the newer, updated version and a direct replacement for the 101N0210. It is compatible with the same Danfoss/Secop BD35 and BD50 compressors and also uses a three-pin connection. The 101N0212 is noted for being the latest version, incorporating improvements over the older model, though specific technical differences (e.g., circuitry or efficiency) are not detailed in available information. Unlike the 101N0210, it may not include a heat sink, as mentioned in some user discussions.

Both modules serve the same function—controlling the compressor in 12/24V DC systems—and are interchangeable in most cases. To test either module, you can place a jumper between the T (Thermostat) and C (Compressor) terminals; the compressor should start at low speed if the module is functional. If you're replacing a 101N0210, the 101N0212 is the recommended choice due to its availability and updated design.

I have detailed pictures I will post separately

Let me know if you have any questions

Sam

[spau...@gmail.com]

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From: catal...@googlegroups.com <catal...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sam Paul <spau...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2025 9:39 PM
To: Catalina355 <catal...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Catalina 355:5661] Access to Electrical connections on Fridge

 

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[spau...@gmail.com]

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From: catal...@googlegroups.com <catal...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sam Paul <spau...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2025 9:39 PM
To: Catalina355 <catal...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Catalina 355:5661] Access to Electrical connections on Fridge

 

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