Refrigerator won't run on A/C

RyDrew · Post by **RyDrew** » October 16th, 2025, 8:47 am

I'm a "brand" new Carver 360 Mariner Owner and just learning the boat. The refrigerator only runs if the dc main and refer switch are on. It does not cut over to ac and stops running. Is it wired to one of the charger breakers (which was the case on my old Four Winns)? The 2 breakers only say "charger".
Thanks

Carverlvr2 · Post by **Carverlvr2** » October 16th, 2025, 10:53 am

Welcome to the forum! My survey revealed the exact same issue for galley fridge (Nova Kool) and from searching the forums, it sounds like it’s very common for these 20+ yr old fridges. There’s a replaceable power module on the back that handles the ac/dc (not the band) power and switching. For my fridge it’s a $300ish part so I’m not in a hurry to fix it. I have a decent sized house bank and stay at the dock with the charger running most of the time so the fridge is always powered. If it only worked on ac I’d have to fix right away. You could certainly pull the fridge out and make sure it’s getting ac power to that outlet (probably buried behind the cabinets) and then you can check part numbers while it’s out. And probably some cleaning. Let me know what you find!

RyDrew · Post by **RyDrew** » October 16th, 2025, 7:36 pm

Thanks Carverlvr2. Sounds logical as I think it runs off one of the charger circuits. It is not high on the priorities right now, but I will take a look at some point.

The other thing I didn't do is check the charger circuit breakers, there are 2. They are under a safety cover which I'm thinking can be opened. I'll check tomorrow when I get to the marina as I am driving the boat home.

Carverlvr2 · Post by **Carverlvr2** » October 17th, 2025, 12:21 am

On mine, I think the fridge ac power is actually just on the ac outlets breakers. Maybe check the Gfci resets on each side to make sure they aren’t tripped. I always look for the easy and free possibilities first!

RyDrew · Post by **RyDrew** » October 17th, 2025, 7:06 am

Good point. Where would the "suspected" gfci receptacles be? Maybe under the sink? I'm heading down today and will look.

Carverlvr2 · Post by **Carverlvr2** » October 17th, 2025, 10:44 am

Bathrooms on mine. Maybe by the galley sink if there’s two. Mine runs one per side of the boat.

km1125 · Post by **km1125** » October 17th, 2025, 3:03 pm

Surprised you have two charger breakers... are there actually two chargers on the boat?

RyDrew · Post by **RyDrew** » October 17th, 2025, 8:01 pm

There are two chargers that appear to be original just to the right looking into the engine room from the stairs (on the port side). One is bigger than the other. There is a third one wired in for the thrusters on the transom which is all owner installed. It's actually a dc/dc converter but I believe being used as a charger.

RyDrew · Post by **RyDrew** » October 17th, 2025, 8:03 pm

As far as the original question goes..... Mystery solved.
It is run off of one of the outlet breakers. All working as it should on AC or DC.
Thanks everyone.

pepmyster · Post by **pepmyster** » October 18th, 2025, 2:00 pm

I was just about to write. Happened to me, noticed only on dc. Went to check, all breakers good, plugged into the ac circuit but not running off ac. Trace the ac wire all the way to the top of the fridge, felt to me what was a glass fuse cap, remove cap, pull the fuse, voila! A blown ac fuse. put new fuse, now works as it should.

Refrigerator won't run on A/C

Refrigerator won't run on A/C

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Re: Refrigerator won't run on A/C

Re: Refrigerator won't run on A/C

Re: Refrigerator won't run on A/C

Re: Refrigerator won't run on A/C

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Re: Refrigerator won't run on A/C