Freezer replacement

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   Our 575 has 3 Vitrifrigo drawer units in the galley.   A double refrigerator unit and a single freezer drawer above it. 

My wife accidentally left the freezer drawer open an inch or so when we were leaving the boat a week or so ago.     When we got back to the boat a few days ago, we found that the drawer had frosted over (high heat and humidity in early August here).   We could not close it, and we could not open it.    We started chipping away at the ice/frost to get the drawer to open.    Mistake of astronomical proportions. 

Apparently on the Vitrifrigo drawer units, the interior is cheap plastic and the refrigerant lines run just inside the cheap plastic.    Sure enough,  there was a discharge of coolant and the unit no longer worked.   I was told that they see quite a few of these problems each year.    NOTE to other Vitrifrigo owners:   DO NOT DO THIS!  Just turn off the power and let things thaw slowly.  Yes.. there will be water/melt to deal with, but better than the alternative. 

Upon examination we were told that you cannot repair the freezer (if you could) without basically paying the cost for a new unit.   A new unit is NOT inexpensive.    Giving even more pause,   the dimensions of the currently recommended replacement are different than the original.    This means some carpentry work is required. 

Has anyone had to replace their freezer drawer unit?   If so, what did you replace it with?

Edited by Black Diamond - 22 August 2025 at 17:09

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Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Freezer replacement Posted: 22 August 2025 at 16:30
	Our 575 has 3 Vitrifrigo drawer units in the galley. A double refrigerator unit and a single freezer drawer above it. My wife accidentally left the freezer drawer open an inch or so when we were leaving the boat a week or so ago. When we got back to the boat a few days ago, we found that the drawer had frosted over (high heat and humidity in early August here). We could not close it, and we could not open it. We started chipping away at the ice/frost to get the drawer to open. Mistake of astronomical proportions. Apparently on the Vitrifrigo drawer units, the interior is cheap plastic and the refrigerant lines run just inside the cheap plastic. Sure enough, there was a discharge of coolant and the unit no longer worked. I was told that they see quite a few of these problems each year. NOTE to other Vitrifrigo owners: DO NOT DO THIS! Just turn off the power and let things thaw slowly. Yes.. there will be water/melt to deal with, but better than the alternative. Upon examination we were told that you cannot repair the freezer (if you could) without basically paying the cost for a new unit. A new unit is NOT inexpensive. Giving even more pause, the dimensions of the currently recommended replacement are different than the original. This means some carpentry work is required. Has anyone had to replace their freezer drawer unit? If so, what did you replace it with? Edited by Black Diamond - 22 August 2025 at 17:09
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

boomjack Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 24 August 2014 Location: switzerland Status: Offline Points: 212	Post Options Post Reply Quote boomjack Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 August 2025 at 21:54
	Not yet in my case....

Wayne's World Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 July 2012 Location: Cruising Status: Offline Points: 1434	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne's World Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 August 2025 at 22:33
	Have not replace our freezer unit as it works fine. For note we use a hair dryer to defrost the freeze or fridges when they need it - does the job fast. We will be replacing our wine fridge with a freezer but it is very difficult to find the right size unit to fit the wine fridge hole.
	Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2025 at 01:19
	Wouldn't it (the wine cooler replacement) just have to be smaller than the existing opening? You can always trim it off if needed.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Wayne's World Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 18 July 2012 Location: Cruising Status: Offline Points: 1434	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wayne's World Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2025 at 02:29
	Yep, there will need to be some cabinet work to trim off the install. But an extra freezer is better than the wine fridge which is 240V not 12V so we hardly ever run it.
	Wayne W Cruising, currently in the Pacific until the end of 2026.

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2025 at 02:55
	If your boat is like mine, the Mastervolt inverter/charger is 230V and there is a separate stepdown for the 110V post inverter. Your wine cooler isn't hooked to the 230V inverter output somehow? Strange.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Mainer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 05 January 2023 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 59	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mainer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 August 2025 at 17:12
	Thanks very much for the warning!!! We’ll be careful…

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 August 2025 at 01:16
	So I took things to the next level in terms of measuring and research. A few discoveries I am still working through. 1. The complicating factor is the tight fit between the closet to the left of the freezer drawer and the cabinet wall on the right. See picture. Any increase in width makes things difficult if not impossible. 2. I really don't understand what the difficulty is in replacing the evaporator. The evaporator unscrews easily, its detached from the compressor, and - outside of reconnecting the tubing and replacing the coolant - I don't get the difficulty. 3. Working with NorEast Marine on the strategy here, but just replacing with a new unit seems difficult given the new units are a 1/2" wider (and that really matters on a 575). This week we should have some kind of a strategy. I will NOT be doing some kind of kludge or cabinetry mutilation. It has to be right.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI

Rhum coco Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 07 February 2025 Location: Grèce Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rhum coco Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 August 2025 at 09:51
	Bonjour ce qui me paraît bizarre sur votre photo c'est le compresseur avec R410A .ce fluide est plus pour la climatisation que la congélation.si l évaporateur est accessible on peut le démonter par ses raccords.si le bateau a plus de 10ansil est possible que les raccords aeroquip ne soient plus compatible avec les nouveaux et alors il faut changer l ensemble groupe compresseur et évaporateur et garder la caisse

Black Diamond Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 24 October 2015 Location: Newport, RI, US Status: Offline Points: 1275	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black Diamond Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 August 2025 at 10:29
	There is both an AC compressor AND a refrigeration compressor in the same compartment on the 575. At least on our boat. You access the compartment via an access panel for cleaning the air filter, etc.. I've already decided that my preferred option is to replace both the evaporator and the compressor. I'm worried about contamination of the unit after the leak. By replacing the whole cooling kit, I avoid the soldering of the tubing and hopefully just deal with new fittings.
	Rick S/V Black Diamond Hanse 575 Build #192, Hull# 161 Newport, RI



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