Novakool fix or live with?

[Carverlvr2]

Howdy all! During the survey on my ‘04 366, we found the Novakool RFS7501 ac/dc side by side fridge freeze runs well but is only running on dc. I’ve read the 101N0510 controller is the common failure on these and easy enough to replace but is a $300ish part going into a 20yr old fridge. Is it worth fixing or just deal with it till the whole thing dies? If it only worked on AC, this would be an easier decision…gotta keep the bevy’s cold on the hook! With it constantly running on dc, I have to imagine that’s wearing on (I’m assuming) the house battery bank? Looks like the replacement fridge is $1800+…how long do these generally last? What are your thoughts?

[Viper]

I'd be okay with just the DC side working. Anytime you're at the dock, the charger is topping up the banks so the fridge doesn't really deplete them, and the engines do that while you're underway. On the hook you're on DC anyway for the most part and if you turn on the genny for anything, the charger will help bring the bank back up.

If only the AC side worked you could still have the effects of what I mentioned above by simply plugging the fridge into a dedicated inverter. Then you're just maintaining the DC bank as I mentioned.

[bud37]

Considering the fridge is old and having issues....My advice before you decide what to do, get yourself a fridge thermometer to check whether it is keeping your perishables at a safe temp. If it isn't it is unsafe to use for food and could make you or your family sick. That might make your decision easier.

[Midnightsun]

Call Novakool while you are at the boat and they will determine what is wrong by helping you troubleshoot/test. Never seen such helpful and friendly service. In general, those fridges are among the best and easily repaired.

[Cooler]

It should have a plug for the AC side. Check to see it is plugged in. The original fridge in my Mariner puked out after 21 years. Replaced with a new in 2017. Runs so quiet I can sleep right next to it with no cycle sounds. The 1800 was worth it for me. Just FYI, the alternators on your Crusaders are heavy duty, so they are generating power. Good luck! er

[Carverlvr2]

All great feedback! The fridge thermometer is an excellent place to start but will have to wait a few months as it’s so cold here right now, the fridge doesn’t even need to be on to keep things frozen! lol. It’s sounds like these Novakool are good fridges but is 20yrs a pretty good run for these? When I was boat shopping, nearly every one I looked at in this age range all had replaced that same fridge with the same model but either black or SS panels.

[KyleR]

Never seen such helpful and friendly service. In general, those fridges are among the best and easily repaired.

I'll second this! We had a mysterious leak in our V-berth near the shower door and couldn't find anything. Eventually, by chance I was looking behind and under the refrigerator because it didn't seem to be working so great at keeping things cold. That's when I noticed standing water, which lookd like it was possibly the source of our leak. More digging revealed that the insulation on the pipes in the back had worn out and come loose in many sections causing ice to build up and subsequently melt causing the "leak"!

I was very close to replacing it but but I called NovaKool to see if there was any hope. The guy told me what to do and some suggestions on what products to use and he said it would be like a new one and I'd probably get another 20 years out of it! He said he often sees ones lasting 30-40 years! I'm not sure if that was just hyperbole, but I made the repair over a year ago and not a drop of water since - and it is staying colder and working better than ever!

Kyle

[Carverlvr2]

Thanks! That gives me Hope that there’s possibly several more years left in it! And yes, I’ll give Novakool a ring next time I’m out there and make sure that’s the part I need and maybe some other improvements while it’s pulled out. “Saving money in boating?” Is that even a thing? Lol

[Alanna Mo Cree]

QR_BBPOST “Saving money in boating?” Is that even a thing? Lol

Nope.

[Hugo]

This is a DC fridge to start, compressor is DC.

There’s an ac/dc switching converter in there and I replaced mine many years ago with a $5 automotive relay. If you get a multi meter out and understand what it’s doing it’s easy to replace with a simple relay.

There’s also a power supply in there converting ac to dc when on shore power and when that goes it can also be replaced with an off the shelf $20-$30 meanwell power supply. None of the proprietary electronics there are needed…

While you’re in there add another relay to power some fans for additional cooling and it’ll work much better.