Improving the fridge

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   I am somewhat reluctant to reopen this thread as others have clearly succeeded where I have failed!I have the electronic thermostat and a small 12v computer fan and wanted to install these as others have done.  This relates to a 458.
My freezer box currently cycles between -2 and -16 or so as the compressor kicks in.  This is great, but the fridge rarely gets more than 20° below the ambient temperature.  With current temperature in the Med my fridge is about 16C.

My challenge is how I get a cable into the fridge.  I know that I could take the electric supply from the existing control unit which is in the freezer compartment and use this for the fan, but I would still need to get the temperature probe for the new thermostat into the fridge somehow.
I can see the electric cable and a pipe from the compressor enter below the freezer, but I have tried pushing a thin cable snake through and it gets blocked almost immediately.

Access to the area behind the freezer unit is impossible.  I am just about get to the compressor by removing the panel under the cooker, but this is the limit of that I can reach.

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S&J Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 30 August 2014 Location: Perth WA / Med Status: Offline Points: 1371	Post Options Post Reply Quote S&J Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 July 2023 at 08:55
	I am somewhat reluctant to reopen this thread as others have clearly succeeded where I have failed! I have the electronic thermostat and a small 12v computer fan and wanted to install these as others have done. This relates to a 458. My freezer box currently cycles between -2 and -16 or so as the compressor kicks in. This is great, but the fridge rarely gets more than 20° below the ambient temperature. With current temperature in the Med my fridge is about 16C. My challenge is how I get a cable into the fridge. I know that I could take the electric supply from the existing control unit which is in the freezer compartment and use this for the fan, but I would still need to get the temperature probe for the new thermostat into the fridge somehow. I can see the electric cable and a pipe from the compressor enter below the freezer, but I have tried pushing a thin cable snake through and it gets blocked almost immediately. Access to the area behind the freezer unit is impossible. I am just about get to the compressor by removing the panel under the cooker, but this is the limit of that I can reach.
	H458 #159 Primal Mediterranean cruising

toholthe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 20 September 2017 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote toholthe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 July 2023 at 09:15
	Hi, I connected the fan to the light in the fridge. You can get permanent power from here. The electronic thermostat I powered from the same place and connected to the cables that connect to the existing thermostat. That way you have two parallel thermostats, one in freezer and one in fridge. The compressor turns on if either gets below the set temp. I.e. no cables trough the box. I have now sold the boat, but on mine it worked great as long as I had the boat.

Sportswagoneer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 17 June 2018 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 77	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sportswagoneer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 July 2023 at 09:19
	I believe every hole made into the fridge will have been sealed with some sort of caulk (sikaflex?) after running the cables through. So you shouldn’t expect there to be existing openings. However - if you’re replacing cables, you should be able to pull them out with a little force and/or insert something alongside them that can penetrate the caulk and make room for new ones. My fan is powered from the internal light bulb, using the lid switch and a relay to turn it off when the lid opens.
	2010 Hanse 400 #700 “Neste Sommer”

Richard M Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commadore Joined: 06 November 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 376	Post Options Post Reply Quote Richard M Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 July 2023 at 16:33
	Hello Stuart I assume that the 458 layout is similar to the 455. I had to cut out the bulk head immediately in front of the 'fridge (behind the saloon seat) to gain access to be able to install additional insulation. If I can find the photos I'll email them to you (I fail to manage to attach them here). Best to you both. Richard
	Richard M (S/Y BrightStar - H 455 #90; ex S/Y Providence - H 400e #290)

Ton&Marga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 30 August 2010 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ton&Marga Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 July 2025 at 08:55
	Hallo Jeb, Your insulation project is inspiring. At this moment the Fridge in my Hanse 370 has stopped functioning properly. I am obliged to replace the complete Isotherm unit or try a repair effort. However for both options, I have to remove the compressor from its extremely narrow location. The current entrance to the space underneath the box is only through the small cupboard with the 2 drawers in between oven and fridge. From your pictures, I understand you managed to remove the compressor completely. I would very much appreciate, if you could extra explain in some detail, how you managed to do so.

jeb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 05 May 2014 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 339	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 July 2025 at 16:04
	Hello Ton&Marga. It was a few years ago so I don’t remember 100%. But since I cut away the majority of the wall between the cupboard and the fridge this was probably the way. I also opened a big hole in the bulkhead in front of the fridge so it might have been there as well. But, to get it out I had to cut the pipes since mine was soldered (no quick connections)
	Jesper Hanse 400e

Captain Cook Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 23 May 2006 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 1245	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Cook Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 July 2025 at 10:48

	Freya H400 #27 (2006),2-cabin, 40HP 3JH4E, 3-blade Flexofold, Aries LiftUp Windvane, Exturn 300, Jefa DD1,Simrad NX40,Icom M603(VHF)+M802(SSB)

Ton&Marga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 30 August 2010 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ton&Marga Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 July 2025 at 22:53
	Thanks for all of your info and foto’s. All together a difficult job to get the old Isotherm compressor out of its narrow space. Installing a new one at the same location is a challenge as well. For now, I decided to leave the old one where it is. The option to install the new one underneath the saloon seats seems to be the best alternative.



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