Back to the fridge situation.......

Thank you for the cross reference Creekwood. It really helps to have dimensions.
 
You made me laugh Mark! During the winterization in October, the previous owner started the gennie for me. It ran quietly for about 5 minutes before shutting down. I don't think the impeller has been changed in a while.

It is my intention to have everything on the boat in operating order, especially the gennie.
 
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I dont know how you made out on the fridge but I thought I would add what I have done. The 77 240 srv I have has had the fridge replaced with a 120 model probaly a Home Depot purchase so it would only work when on shore power. So I added two independant house batteries hooked up a three bank charger for shore charging and installed an inverter to run the fridge from the the two house batteries. I can still run the fridge while on shore and also when on water. I also have a 50 amp solar charger that can be hooked to it to keep the two batteries charged while away from shore power and still run the fridge. I can get a couple of full day runs without charging and longer with the solar.
 
Thanks all for the enlightening info on keeping the fridge on always. Now, I find out from the previous owner he never used the fridge and I have it on the first day, it gets cold. I check on it yesterday evening, nothing. One of our association members suggested I take measurements and purchase one from Walmart or Home Depot. It only made sense to me for these reasons:

Fridge is on A/C while on shore power.
Fridge operates on A/C when genny is running(far and few between).
Could always use a cooler or those blue ice packs for day tripping.

Am I on the right track, verses paying 800-1200 for a new dual voltage fridge?
You are exactly on the right track. I'm doing the same thing. Just be sure to research the Walmart fridge you buy. They sell as cheap as$48.00. . I'm getting one today for am upcoming outing.
 
I installed the inverter in the narrow closet below in the cabin. I removed the starboard panel in the forward birth and ran the wires from the batteries which are mounted in the forward center hatch through the area exposed and into the closet and hooked it all up. I then reinstalled the panel and all wires are hidden. The inverter is mounted close to the door on the forward wall of the closet. Leaves no room to hang stuff but is close to the galley if I want to run any other items and is easy to reach the on/off switch on the inverter. My inverter is a 2000/4000 size so is plently large to handle anything I use, don't get to small of one at least a 1000 watt to handle the fridge a tv or whatever. My inverter has 2 120 plugs plus 2 12 volt socket plugs and usb ports for a computer or what not, cost was about 100.00 if I remember.
 
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I installed the inverter in the narrow closet below in the cabin. I removed the starboard panel in the forward birth and ran the wires from the batteries which are mounted in the forward center hatch through the area exposed and into the closet and hooked it all up. I then reinstalled the panel and all wires are hidden. The inverter is mounted close to the door on the forward wall of the closet. Leaves no room to hang stuff but is close to the galley if I want to run any other items and is easy to reach the on/off switch on the inverter. My inverter is a 2000/4000 size so is plently large to handle anything I use, don't get to small of one at least a 1000 watt to handle the fridge a tv or whatever. My inverter has 2 120 plugs plus 2 12 volt socket plugs and usb ports for a computer or what not, cost was about 100.00 if I remember.

I hope that you ran the correct gauge wires from the battery to the inverter. This run should be sized properly & kept as close to the batteries as possible to deal with voltage drop. If the wire size is inadequate, it will limit the secondary voltage of your inverter. There should also be an inline fuse in this power supply to protect the inverter. West Marine has a tutorial on this. https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Selecting-an-Inverter-or-Inverter-Charger
 
I bought a Galanz 1.7 cu ft mini fridge rush. It fits in 1988 268 DA like it was designed to fit! Plugged it into the fridge outlet and it looks great and will serve my needs perfectly. Oh the price was exorbitant $ 89.00. Yep
 
I brought the same fridge from Walmart, installed and love it. On this boat I dont plan on being on the hook to worry about. Next Sea Ray will more than likely be in better shape.
 
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I have the inverter about 8 ft from the batteries and am running 6 gage wire, I do need to install a fuse in the system, again the inverter is only running the fridge at this time. One thing is I didnt figure in the inverter power usage but from the looks of the voltage gage all is ok while on shore. All in all I think what I have will work for overnight trips to keep food cold. The video from West Marine was good and explained alot.
 
Have you checked the fuse (12V) on the fridge? There should be one, either obvious or in the fridges power supply. Check if power to the fuse and on the other side of it. Also, make sure there isn't a breaker in the power panel that is off, tripped or corroded as above. Seems simple - but was at a marina couple years ago and the boat 2 slips down fridge stopped working on the 12V side. So he got a NEW one from the local marine store. This is when he asked for help to remove the old one and install the new one. I asked him did he check the fuse, answer "what fuse?" Pulled it out of the cabinet, opened the power supply and there it was, a blown fuse. New fuse - problem fixed. Savings $900.00.
 
DC_wire_selection_chartlg.jpg
 
Have you checked the fuse (12V) on the fridge? There should be one, either obvious or in the fridges power supply. Check if power to the fuse and on the other side of it. Also, make sure there isn't a breaker in the power panel that is off, tripped or corroded as above. Seems simple - but was at a marina couple years ago and the boat 2 slips down fridge stopped working on the 12V side. So he got a NEW one from the local marine store. This is when he asked for help to remove the old one and install the new one. I asked him did he check the fuse, answer "what fuse?" Pulled it out of the cabinet, opened the power supply and there it was, a blown fuse. New fuse - problem fixed. Savings $900.00.
The power supply for my norcold contains 2 fuses glass type solder fitted in the circuit board. Great place to start my fridges problem was the switch and rheostat assembly inside the fridge .I couldn't find the part so made a new one
 
The power supply for my Norcold contains 2 fuses glass type solder fitted in the circuit board. Great place to start my fridges problem was the switch and rheostat assembly inside the fridge. I couldn't find the part so made a new one

Well, aren't you a clever McGyver! My hat is off to you. I admire mechanics who fix things as opposed to "Part Changers"
 
With a little research our old fridge can be fixed. My went last year and with the help of my slip neighbor we fixed it. Power pack sometimes is the issue, mine was a .30 fuse.

IF it's the compressor you have a bigger issue. Check to be sure you have power going to the unit first! It may just be the breaker has gone bad at the panel.
 
Mine is working great but good to know there is a fuse in case it goes south.
 
The power supply for my norcold contains 2 fuses glass type solder fitted in the circuit board. Great place to start my fridges problem was the switch and rheostat assembly inside the fridge .I couldn't find the part so made a new one

Makes me wonder if my "dead" Norcold fridge was not actually dead? Well its long since cut up in pieces and replaced with a much nicer Nova Kool so maybe its good riddance.
 
I just got an $89.00 Galanz 1.7 cu ft unit that fits perfectly in my 1988 268 DA. I'm happy with 110 volt only in the regard that it is fun being resourceful on a boat.
Be safe everyone!
 
Well, aren't you a clever McGyver! My hat is off to you. I admire mechanics who fix things as opposed to "Part Changers"
It was pretty easy a rocker switch and rheostat fitted into the little control housing pretty easily with a little wiring I salvage what is good from things before they get thrown away I salvaged the stat from an old heater some years ago and just had to dig a little through by box of electrical parts
 

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