How Does Boat REFRIGERATION (& A/C) Work? [Capable Cruising Guides]

In this episode, Clark gives an overview of how refrigeration works on a boat. (This is the beginning of a few videos about our fridge and our high-efficiency air conditioning aboard Temptress.)
IN THIS VIDEO:
Beginning of Video [00:16]
What is a fridge, anyway? [00:59]
Quick Science Lessen [02:42]
Looking Inside [07:44]
-- Compressor: [07:54]
-- Control unit [08:22]
-- Condenser [08:53]
-- Expansion valve: [09:22]
-- Evaporator [10:46]
-- Thermostat [11:02]
-- Filter Dryer [11:45]
Check Your System [12:29]
Diagnosing Problems [14:41]
-- Gas Pressure Problems [15:15]
-- Thermostat Failure [16:52]
-- Fan Failure [18:40]
-- Control Unit Problems [19:49]
-- Other Problems [21:40]
LINKS TO SPARE PARTS (includes affiliate links):
Compressor controller: amzn.to/2Qkg8kl
Fan: amzn.to/3vfkTKx
Thermostat: amzn.to/3nhqCN5
LINKS TO REPAIR TOOLS & PARTS (includes affiliate links):
Gauge set: amzn.to/3xooeZU
Flare tool: amzn.to/3tT9kZu
Tubing cutter: amzn.to/3aBWk2v
Propane torch: amzn.to/32I6ryr
Solder: amzn.to/3tZWecA
Flux: amzn.to/3sN4o75
Vacuum pump: amzn.to/32JU5pK
Can tap: amzn.to/3sHDddP
134a gas: amzn.to/3vfpkVU
Tube expander: amzn.to/32IOvDY
Leak detector: amzn.to/3tOMouj
-----------
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[@miltonmiller]

Clark, you are becoming the top sailing-educator of our generation.

[@steveholton4130]

Clark, were you a Teacher before you cast off or were cast off?

[@EmilyAndClark]

No, never taught. In fact I can't work from a plan or script. I just sit down and wing these. Put my toys on the table and started telling a story. Really wish I had thought to draw a vertical line with the left side being gas and the right side being liquid. I tried to prepare for the "retired at 36" video. Notice all the cuts. Emily made me look good in editing but it took over 4 hours to film that. It was a disaster. Deep down I don't feel I'm any good at presentation.

[@randypalmatier5495]

For someone who knows nothing about how refrigeration works this was an excellent primer.

[@bobuncle8704]

You could say it was dynamite🤔??? Get it??? Primer....dynamite???😂

[@bobuncle8704]

Great explanation. I have worked on ac most of my life. Worked maintenance with my father from 10 years of age. Now mostly automotive. I have inherited some nice gear. Gauges, and a vacuum pump are so handy. I have picked up a bunch of adaptors to use with the small cans used nowadays. This is probably one of the best overviews I have seen, and you really explain the overall function of each part really well, and bring the whole assembly and process together nicely. Thanks for another great episode.

[@EmilyAndClark]

So nice of you to say.

[@garyholmes3674]

@@EmilyAndClarkdo you know where I can get a control unit just like the one you held up during the video? Thanks!

[@EmilyAndClark]

eBay

[@EmilyAndClark]

Or if you want to pay more. Rparts.com

[@davehayes8812]

Clark, thank you. You're a great teacher. You enthusiastically make it simple to understand. 10/10

[@lauravalerius4667]

Terrific explanation! I have saved this video in preparation for my loop adventure.

[@MrEveningflight]

Awesome tutorial! Looking forward to the next one! You folks are great 👍🙂

[@jamesstrom6991]

fantastic info, thank you very much Clark

[@gefginn3699]

Thanks Clark!! Great post!!

[@40watt_club]

Ty , allways so much educateing fun to watch. Seems you are healthy again :-) Sail safe the both of you.

[@CasaperotiWestfaliaAmundsen]

Thank you, Clark, for this very explicative video! I can’t wait for the next parts.

[@LongDistanceSailor]

Next one is finished and available to patrons now. Should be published next week.

[@davidgrowse2041]

Excellent video Clark. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and the ones on your aircon. Thank you for sharing. Glad to see your cough is getting better!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks David

[@ahmetsezai]

Another great video, thanks Clark!

[@helijuva3064]

For the first time, I can say I actually, really understood how they work. Thank you!

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

What a great tutorial. I’m definitely going to be watching this several more times and also saving it for future reference.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks. So nice of you to say.

[@MrDiscoseeker]

I’ve spent the day falling in love more with your channel and you guys. Found you months ago through the hybrid battery posts, which we’ve done on our UK narrowboat. Today has been different, you’re becoming addictive viewing 🙏❤️

[@MrDiscoseeker]

(I absorbed your advice before even buying our boat) many thanks 🤗

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

Thanks for helping connect the dots. Was told what needed for gauges. Now I understand 😀

[@markgardner8542]

Very well put. As a tech that services vehicle A/C systems I can confirm this is good stuff! Looking forward to trying your system!

[@kranzonguam]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@projecttrawler]

Love this type of technical videos! Thank you sir

[@syd8388]

Such an educative vdo. So easily explained. Thanks a lot.

[@matwilliams4608]

It's nice to see you are getting better now Clark from that virus and know i now a bit more about refrigeration .

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Mat. Next week's video was filmed earlier. Yeah, you will see I look worse. It was a hard day. I wanted to be in bed not fixing a fridge. But we do as we must.

[@asennaydenov6461]

Great video, I do love the pedagogical way you are speaking!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Asen

[@timterry8714]

You have done the best simplified explanation of a basic refrigeration system I have seen - so thanks for a great presentation.

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're very welcome Tim.

[@henriquecostaveigadecarval8347]

Thanks! Very good video.

[@gutsanglory1]

From a guy who knows refrigeration, you did an excellent job of highlighting the system, and the most common causes of failure. Loved the way you used the term "voodoo" to reference the other more physics items and diagnosing. heh heh Great video. Cheerz!

[@jadams3427]

Top notch ! Great info. Thanks.

[@sungelsa1890]

I want to say a big Thank You to you! We just had a problem on our refrigerator and quickly identified the root cause by using your technique. It saves us big money and time!!! 10000x like to this video!

[@PrivateUsername]

As always, a great vid. Thanks!

[@jaminthevanuk296]

Exelent info thank you happy sailing

[@FirstMateEmily]

Love the videos!!

[@JeremyWilliamsTx]

Interested and looking forward to seeing what you build

[@Jacoblejd]

God i love these. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. One of the few sailing channels that actually make contributions, the two of you are inspiring.

[@briansb2455]

What? Don't like all the "Look at my cute butt while I spear fish" vids?

[@briansb2455]

Guys, you're views are not what they should be. Suggestion: Get a cat and make sure about 25% of the vid features the cat doing...well nothing. Cats are not dogs. They're maintenance free sociopaths. Get a hypoallergenic breed. Engineer life jackets and other "Clarky" stuff. Make a cat jet pack or something or a cat scuba suit.

[@davidking1501]

Thankyou very much for the training of the fridges, it was great to remember these things i was supposed to listen to the teacher about when i was an apprentice so very long time ago. I thing i did remember from those days is that a fridges may work fine for a given ventilation area installation in say New York may not work so great in say Cuba due to the increased mean outside temperature. So thanks for the tip on installing a bigger fan boaters may need one for the hotter temperature climates regard

[@djihtiandr319]

Oh yeah, You DO deserve a like Clark ))) Thanks - very interesting and worth knowing thing And yes, the captain (or sailor) should know and be able to fix his vessel anytime at any place, have spares, or at least be able to find and define the reason for malfunction - ways and timing of repairs.....

[@IcyMidnight]

Looking forward to the A/C video!

[@GeeZeeGZ]

The thumbs up isn't big enough, absolutely love all the content on this channel.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Share on social media then!! Thanks

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Fantastic video! Thank you, sir.

[@robruh4100]

Good job!

[@Northern-Regina]

Very usefull. Thx much!

[@tonycarey1808]

What a great video!! so informative and simple to understand! THANK YOU

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome Tony. Glad it helped

[@tonycarey1808]

@@EmilyAndClark I had a "pro" install our Seafrost 12v system and the hoses are frozen - I now know why - thanks - too much freon. I can fix that now because of your excellent explanation.

[@EmilyAndClark]

That's nice to hear. Thanks for passing that back. Happy to help.

[@edwardabbey2128]

Great video I learned a lot!!!

[@herbertsusmann986]

Good intro to refrigeration! Well done!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Herbert

[@JA-dk3xc]

Mr. Clark thanku 4 such well thought out video.. im also very gr8ful .. i wasnt deceived .. many videos.. hav titles.. that dont match the content.. u hv 2 put up with.. 98percent clowning with 2percent.. info.. not with ur video clark.. very informative .. and especially clear.. once agn thanku..

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks. Maybe you would enjoy watching through our back catalog of work?

[@sailinggaia3582]

Love this thank you !

[@djames007]

Thank You! That helped me a lot to repair my fridge. Thanks :)

[@EmilyAndClark]

Your very welcome

[@leandroflaherty]

Great video!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Leandro

[@SailingBrickHouse-RVLife]

Thanks for the education!

[@norbertjoos]

rich video! thanks for your work

[@phil955i]

Good video & explanation. From a refrigeration tech in the UK. Laughed at the "voodoo" bit because I remember my mentor telling me 35 years ago that refrigeration is a black art lol.

[@xenu-dark-tony]

YES YOU DO deserve a like. Knowing how a fridge or AC etc works is so important, especially in the cruising life when you find out that bathing in your own sweat every night is less attractive a proposition than you'd think, especially if your medication causes you to sweat more than usual. I remember learning this stuff 50 years ago in Physics classes at secondary school (UK), and have never forgotten it, (backed up by many explanations from my dear dad).

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you,. So nice of you to say. If you choose to pass this on to others this playlist might be more helpful then individual videos. A/C and Refrigeration: kzbin.info/aero/PLsT7_jPsZM5qNlstuF-fdlgjrimo18tq7

[@gymcoachdon]

I learned so much about how to fix my refrigerator! I learned to anchor near you!

[@DonPavardenis]

This is some amazing content on this channel

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks

[@slowtravelling2196]

Great video. Trying to work through some issues with our fridge and it was a good primer 👍

[@EmilyAndClark]

Happy to hear that

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

Uncle Clark done learned me.

[@FatDaddyG]

Awesome, as usual...

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Curtis

[@ccseattle6728]

Great teacher! thank you!

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome and thank you for choosing to support us on Patreon. I just sent you a note.

[@richardmoore4194]

cool video ❄️

[@guy.h]

Great video Clark - perfectly pitched - looking forwards to the next one & great to see you recovering. Whenever I hear R12 (Freon) it always reminds me of it being invented by Thomas Midgley but that wasn't his only 'claim to fame' - he also invented tetraethyl lead as an additive for petrol/gasoline!! Also managed to kill himself with his construction of ropes & pulleys designed to get him out of bed after he caught polio ...

[@debdoyle119]

Awesome video

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Deb

[@WEsail]

Well done, very helpful, thanks from a fellow cruiser/KZbinr

[@bobmeador4465]

Thanks. Good information.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Your welcome Bob

[@wulkie]

Thanks for the education!! Realy uselful. Sad to still hear you coughing, i hope you will recover soon. Take care!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Capt n

[@nedwphillips2126]

Awesome Video mate... the other thing to look out for is the door gasket/seal, they harden up and/or get damaged over time letting in (warm) air/moisture, and can show an ice build up and warm beer :( eh...

[@ookulelewess]

... excellent job of keeping it simple so as not to confuse your listeners! 8^)

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Well explained (I do know 'Fridge) I always start with "What temperature does water boil at?" Most say 100/212. Then I ask how a pressure cooker works. Some do know. Change the pressure and the water boils at a different pressure. Take a suitable liquid, drop the pressure to boil it at a low enough temperature. Take the resultant vapour and raise the pressure to a boiling point above ambient. You can then let it cool and it goes back to liquid. 'Fridge.

[@EmilyAndClark]

I use the pressure cooker analogy in next week's video (which I filmed two weeks ago). When I'm vacuuming the system. Thanks Jonathan.

[@victorlacasta7257]

Incredible

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thank you Victor. Hope you enjoy our other videos and please consider sharing links.

[@KelvinMeeks]

Great video.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Kelvin0

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Kelvin0

[@claussvensson7834]

Vera usefull.

[@razorsharpbt7666]

I've never sailed, but watching these types of videos, I know that I would have an issue with drawing the line between floating garage or pleasure vessel. I know that I would have an inclination to want to keep spare parts everywhere for any contingencies and maintaining that balance would be difficult. I know you have to draw the line somewhere and that space is of the most import. I really enjoy the maintenance side of this sailing thing and I see that there's always plenty of it.

[@petenaylor1353]

Coming from a person who thinks he can fix everything (me) your video was great. You are incredibly engaging... I hope we cross paths one day. cheers

[@EmilyAndClark]

Me too.

[@joewong6662]

👍👍👍

[@Misteribel]

Oh boy, I wished I had seen this a year ago when I installed a new fridge (components, not the box). Extremely useful, thank you! Yep, we broke that weird 'wire with gas', luckily the company gave us a whole new system! After seeing this, I'm left wondering whether that wire should be in the fridge, or outside. We've the cooling element in the fridge, that little motor thingy with fans age controller about a meter from it, and that gas cooling wire mostly outside the fridge. It seems to me that we ought to put it as close together as possible and put that wire in the fridge as well. However, since it's so fragile, I'm hesitant to do that (as inside it'll be too easy for my beer cans to accidentally hit it while sailing).

[@EmilyAndClark]

Don't worry about it. Someday when you need a gas charge you could cut those connectors off and shorten all that copper and solder them back together properly. Those connectors leak! But it's fine as it is.

[@maryetdave]

We just ordered some spare seals for the quick coupler. Good to have as spares

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes the right spare at the right time means everything. Fir those I tend to just cut them out and solder the lines together. I didn't even know there were spares available.

[@maryetdave]

@@EmilyAndClark Cutting them out seems like a good idea, they seem to be a frequent failure point, ours we all dried up.

[@mjanulis3603]

Hello Clark - so great! Really top stuff. I am a mechanical engineer and I know this stuff, but now I know it better! Thanks so much. I wanted to ask if you have any tips about re-configuring a 5000 btu window unit and use the parts to custom adapt to an older boat - 1965 Pearson Vanguard. I've got plenty of room to fit it into the boat - it's not 12v but it dehumidifies while at the dock (I weekend lake sail and don't really have a solar panel charging system to speak of or a battery bank, only 2 lead batteries w small individual solar chargers, I just use shore power & a Honda knock-off generator if needed). Right now I have the window unit hanging in my hatchway (looking as nice as I can make it). I just leave the entire unit on the dock when I go out sailing for the day and put it back in place before I leave the dock to go home. As a dehumidifier it works great, very efficient. The condenser actually uses a condensate tray submerging the copper line to help cool - air/water cooling. New less than $100 on Amazon. Anyway, I bought a spare and I want to deconstruct it and use raw water to cool the condenser and pipe it up out of the way unseen. My Honda knock-off gas generator also can run it w 120V output if it ever gets really hot while on the hook. Even if I totally botch it, should be fun and I know that I will learn plenty. I figured you might enjoy this challenge. Where am I going wrong ? Thanks in advance.

[@EmilyAndClark]

I kinda took this a few steps farther with this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rneUYmaXitGNndE Uses very little DC power. It's now available as a kit at MarineDCAC.com But sure you can do it that way if you don't mind the power consumption. If that's OK with you then go for it.

[@allanpierce9700]

Clark .. listened to your explanation of refrigeration again and you didn't say you were ever a refrig tech ..but you must have been by the way you explain it.. .. it is a cool thing to learn and understand.. you woulda been a great teacher for a trade school. Kudos clark.. get ahold of teal from onboard lifestyle he needs your unit and your friendly help and knowledge asap.. told him bout you awhile back and I'm sure he will be very happy and surprised to hear from you.. thanks Clark ... Teal is a real likable good guy as you and you both will get along 👍😃 great

[@EmilyAndClark]

Nope never have done that professionally but I am an engineer. I just start from first principles. Is this a guy with a KZbin channel? Feel free to have him contact us.

[@allanpierce9700]

@@EmilyAndClark yes he has a utube called onboard lifestyle and a beautiful family and a most beautiful catamaran he practically remodeled to be the the best cat on the planet Clark. Missed you saying you were an engineer but heard it just now on the vlog as I'm writing you.. you are the absolutely most interesting to listen to.. I'll tell him to get ahold of you asap.. you can watch his 200 vids ... From the very first each one is better. Thanks again Clark ...

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Allan

[@allanpierce9700]

@@EmilyAndClark I just left teal the message .. thanks again Clark. You know Clark I taught myself this trade and haven't been stumped yet ..worked on ice machines light commercial refrig .domestic refrig domestic and comm ac too .. computer and non computer run and half and half too. Did go to college for veterinarian science but never finished that goal after 6 years of units .. saw refrig was for me and am just about as happy with it from a science perspective...

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes it was one of the more satisfying things I got my brain wrapped around. Have you seen my air conditioner? MarineDCAC.com and videos here.

[@bryrensexton4618]

👍!!!..thank you!

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're very welcome Bryren

[@davidncw4613]

you bet you deserve a like!

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks David

[@glennryan9770]

My fridge quit on me after about two years from having it repaired in San Diego. I had another sailor in Ensenada try re-charging it several times. I soon realized my repair guy was not really up to the task. Finally I bought a new Adler Barber unit and new evaporator. Problem solved. The guy in the next slip helped a lot as trying to install in my 36 Catalina required someone more flexible than me. Time. For a bigger boat. Lol

[@Bonkers4Hex]

Talk about coincidence, I was watching one of your vids this morning in my kitchen, opened the fridge and the damn thing has blown 😂 just wondering if its worth getting a new one that will fit on board a boat for the future, im taking it as a sign 🔮🛥️

[@jameskleine4939]

Thank you for sharing your refrigeration knoledge Clark . I am troubleshooting the frigoboat system in my sailboat now. I was looking at your little material list and you give us the mechanical thermostat link. could you provide a link to the digital thermostat as well ?

[@EmilyAndClark]

The digital I use is actually for another application I have to modify the main circuit board on each. So I don't have one I can recommend

[@richburg291]

Good video. I just managed to fry my frig controller. An interesting problem that you may have better insight into than I do. I have installed LIFEPO4 - 2 banks of 100AH drop-ins (Redodo) along with double bank lead acid for start. All was going well until about 5 hrs on eng at which point the lith banks were say 13.3v and I started getting A/P and electronics failing. Running below, my cheapie panel gages were showing 39V !!! Before being able to shut down all charging, the frig went out as well. The frig controller has the main diode burnt up but no other visable damge on the PCB. Post-event, my regulator is a balmar AR5 and looks to be OK with field at 11.xx at eng start, dropping to 7.xx after say 15min. 5-6 fuses were blown and saved the AIS/VHF and A/P etc. All fuses that blew (were originally on lead acid), have had to be replaced by higher rated fuses (2A on A/P holds at 5A, VHF from 7.5 to 25!! etc) . So it looks maybe that as the lith bats approach full charge, the amps drawn by stuff increases. This is counter-intuative. I would have thought that as volts go up, the watts would be the same under the same duty, and the amps would drop. Have you ever experienced the same thing? Have you any idea how a standard 80A alternator could put out 39V? Do you think there is a potential that the LIFEPO4 built-in BMS's could be the source of the high voltage? Returning to home - port and shutting down, both house and start bats are showing normal volts at 12.6 and 13.3 and are holding charge etc , and I do not see any repeat of high charge voltage. Since failures happened only after several hrs on eng it would seem that a thermal run-away type event was happening? Any insights would be appreciated, love you site Richard SV Kelaerin (Formosa 46)

[@EmilyAndClark]

You have a few misunderstandings here. And you must understand I can't do debugging through KZbin comments. I have over 80k subscribers and a life. If you would like my help there is a Patreon tier called Dream Believers that gets you phone access. We can certainly get this all sorted.

[@christianriedel7017]

Great explanation and you didn't even have to use the equation PV=nRT...that would have made me wince forcing me back to my thermodynamics class in my college days! LOL

[@MiQBohlin]

Aye m8’s, great stuff and loads of info. For next part: Do you carry a cylinder of Tetrafluoroethane on board?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes I started this cruise with about 40 lbs of it. But I've gone through a lot of it. My air-conditioner uses it and I fixed a LOT of fridges last summer with lockdown.

[@michaelcollins-nb8xz]

thanks

[@EmilyAndClark]

You're welcome Michael

[@sailingavocet]

Well this is neat! We just did a major fridge rebuild/reinsulation on our boat a few months back... and just got the video on KZbin. We would love to hear your thoughts!

[@EmilyAndClark]

I didn't see the old interior but I would have been tempted to just pour in some expanding urethane foam. I don't think the fridge front is exactly a bulkhead. That's why it wasn't taped in. The cabinetry looks great. .....and I NEVER want to live in CA

[@sailingavocet]

@@EmilyAndClark thanks guys, we actually have a blog article coming out that gives more details (and how we know it was a very poor attempt at a bulkhead) ... excited to share more soon and super stoked you took the time to check it out! We love your videos!

[@redwood1957]

Good job. Clark Im thinking of buying a self contained unit to bring on my boat, any idea how many hours a day i should calculate it running for my load calc. summertime in the carribean. Thank you

[@EmilyAndClark]

Depends on what temp you set it for Those Engles are real low power draw. But no I don't remember. When I've had one going it was very little power.

[@kevinh7985]

Hi Clark, another informative and useful video. Do you have a link or recommendation for the digital thermostat ? I need to replace mine. Cheers Kevin

[@EmilyAndClark]

I was going to but then I remembered that I have to open these and modify the circuit board to have it work with refrigeration. Thought it best not to recommend something that won't work unless you "fix" it.

[@Mechone11]

Inkbird 12v is what most people are using and look better ,have had one for 3 years with no mods

[@sailinginsearchformeaning3216]

Love you guys Where do you get the compressor and the Labrador from. Warm regards Michael Pond

[@EmilyAndClark]

I don't know what you mean by a Labrador? But either your local fridge shop or Rparts.com or eBay.

[@idolbeer5620]

Clark and Emily for President 🇺🇸🕺🏽💃

[@TheBobwei]

do you have a video of when you made the copper evaporater plate?

[@EmilyAndClark]

No, I made that before we had a channel

[@PVflying]

Refrigeration is cool!! 😜 My home is heated by a backwards fridge. Here is Sweden we have -20C, sometimes -30C nights in winter and all my heating comes from a ground source heat pump, which is a big reverse fridge taking 8C from a borehole and boosting it up to 40C to run around underfloor heating circuits indoors. It’s so energy efficient, my electricity bills are a quarter of my neighbours who have direct electric (resistive element) heating. The engineers who first developed all this stuff did us all a huge favour 👍👍

[@popsoldboats3406]

Those systems are just now catching on here in the U S and are so high priced it will take 18 years to pay for itself. And that's when parts should start to wear out.

[@PVflying]

@@popsoldboats3406 It sure was expensive - we paid 169k Swedish kronor in 2016, that’s around $20k. But we no longer have to pay $1,200 a year for firewood and our electricity bill dropped by a third because the hot water production is now so much more efficient than the old electric immersion heater system we had before. My estimated payback period on what we spent is 9-10 years, assuming electricity prices rise around 3% per year.

[@EmilyAndClark]

One could build their own. I'd start with a mini split heat pump. The one I have in my land house costs about $750us. www.ebay.com/itm/PIONEER-12000-BTU-20-SEER-Mini-Split-A-C-Heat-Pump-115V-16Ft-Full-Install-Kit-/293615688932?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286 and I like it a lot. You might want two of these or more depending on house size and desired zones. Burry some hose or drill down.... Add a pump and replace the mini split condensers with water heat exchangers (see next week's video). And you have a fine system. Reasonable price. Where my house is located the weather is mild so I just use air cooling for the condenser. But if I lived someplace colder or of I had a pond on the property I'd set up this kind of system. Total cost for a 24,000btu system would be $1,500us plus developing the geo thermal side, but that can be a ditch and hose. Definitely a DIY kind of project. This wouldn't give hot water without more modification but though we grew up in COLD places we never plan on living where water can't be heated by the sun ever again. I hope to never see -40 again in my life.

[@PVflying]

@@EmilyAndClark that’s a really interesting idea and it would never have occurred to me to DIY it. The heat pump installers all seem to subcontract out the borehole drilling part anyway, so I’m sure an individual could also get one of the drillers to drop a 150m+ deep hole into their garden and install the necessary U shaped, ethanol filled plastic pipe within it. Too late for me, but I hope someone sees your suggestion and takes it on as a project. 👍

[@EmilyAndClark]

Yes, and if you already have a water well I'm sure you could work with the existing hole.

[@SagarDeswalBR]

Hi, thanks a lot, very informative video. Only thing I don't get is that I've heard compressor works on AC, how do you get it to work on DC?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Only really crappy compressors work on ac anymore. All good ones are brushless dc motors.

[@sailingeden9866]

What about taking apart the control unit and fixing it like you would a circuit board?

[@kurtschaefer8489]

Another great video Clark! My fridge works fine, however I cycles every 10 to 15 minutes. I have sprayed foam insulation all around the casing and replaced the thermostat. Any suggesting?

[@EmilyAndClark]

What's wrong with the cycle Is it getting too warm between cycles? If so that's your thermostat. Either there is a hysterisis setting to adjust or it's just tacked.

[@Dresdenfiler]

Great video as always! Looking forward to next week. Have you given any thoughts to using a raspberry pi pico ($4) or an arduino microcontroller to replace the control unit for the compressor? Seems like a no brainer if you can replace a $200 part with a pico. (Also, apologize if you get multiple comments from me, had some issues with YT this morning...)

[@EmilyAndClark]

There is a lot going on with the controller. It's running a 3 phase brushless. Do-abel but that's a lot of MOSFETs to coordinate. It also does a good job of watching for loads of error conditions and doesn't seem to have corrosion issues. I save my microprocessor efforts for things I just can't buy like the charge controller project. But if you built one there just might be a market for a cheap controller box. Go for it. Send me some I'll test them!

[@Dresdenfiler]

@@EmilyAndClark I'm just beginning my journey into Pico's. I was just wondering if you had tried to tackle that issue like your other microprocessor "wizardry" projects 😁

[@EmilyAndClark]

Got to say until your comment I never thought about it.

[@KubotaTee]

Clark - I have been trying to figure out my “broken” freezer for the past 2 years and was about to give up and call in a service tech when I found this video. Using your trouble shooting tips, I quickly found that my digital thermostat was the culprit - it had died. I simply disconnected the temperature probe wires, connected them together and voila - the compressor started right up and the freezer started to get cold! I have now replaced the thermostat with an STC-1000 digital model that allows me to set a temperature and an offset value (in Centigrade). Being new to refrigeration, I am wondering if you could provide some directional guidance for what values I should use to optimize the performance of my freezer and its related compressor. I have initially set it at -2.5c with an offset of 3 degrees. Thanks for any advice you might have.

[@EmilyAndClark]

The higher the less power you use But sausage and ice cream won't freeze hard. There is a way to adjust both the temperature and the gas pressure to really dial it in. I guess I could do that some day. I hope you subscribed and watch my other stuff. If you find something useful please share it with friends.

[@Sailingon]

That was excellent. Can you use a heat exchanger instead of a fan and low power pump to cool it with seawater? I used to have a 12v centrifugal pump on my boat heating that drew under 400ma

[@EmilyAndClark]

Hi Samantha, Sure. In fact I use both water and air cooling on Temptress' system. Next week's video will show me soldering a new heat exchanger in. -C

[@Sailingon]

I'd love to make my own fridge so I know how to fix it., Your video has prompted me to start buying parts

[@EmilyAndClark]

Get a BD50f compressor and work from there. The hardest thing is to work out the cap tube. Before you buy an evaporator see next week's video (or watch it sooner on patreon). I build my own and it's much better and fits what I need.

[@idemps]

Brilliant video. Hoping to learn the dark arts and help other sailors keep cold beer 👍

[@EmilyAndClark]

That will make you very popular!

[@mikea6773]

Hey my norcold fridge on my silverton gets power and when I turn it on it just hums for 10 seconds stops 10 seconds and hums 10 seconds over and over and doesn’t get cold does that sound like a controller issue or bad compressor?

[@EmilyAndClark]

Look up the datasheet for your controller and read it over, it's only two pages. Hook up the led and count the blinks. It's trying to tell you it's having a problem. Just look at the chart on the datasheet and you will know a lot.

[@MichaelMechsner]

Definately “nerdy” but great explanation Clark.

[@EmilyAndClark]

Thanks Michael