Hardstand 2020 Week 1

Use it or loose it they say. It became immediately evident that our fridge was not operating properly. We’d turned it off ahead of our departure in December. The compressor  was running nonstop but the temperature was not coming down. We faced the prospect of warm beer, no ice for sundowners and worse still, my shopping was at risk of becoming landfill. Bags of ice were purchased as a stopgap and as much food as possible stuffed into the Engles which we run as a freezer.

Calls were made and messages sent to cruiser contacts. Who could we get hold of to save us from this predicament? One much praised boat refrigeration practitioner, when contacted, could fit us in on April 14th. How would that suit?  Hmmm 6 weeks. No thanks. 

The search continued for a couple of very hot and humid days which certainly didn’t help at all. Whispers were starting around the boat yard about the potential for shut downs which fed our anxiety. And then we struck the jackpot - Laurie from DC Fridge (0413 684 658). He happened to be down the road at another marine facility (Riviera) and would call past in 10 minutes. And he did!

We hurriedly emptied the cupboard under the sink and adjacent to the below-bench fridge. We’d already removed the panel to provide access to the compressor to help with ventilation in the oppressive conditions. We were so relieved to greet the slim man who would need to be Houdini's twin to access the compressor etc. 

Laurie diagnosed that it was likely that the refrigerant gas had leaked out. Turning the empty fridge off had allowed the gas to warm and expand and escape through a tiny undetectable leak. We’ll leave the fridge operating in future. Unable to detect any leaks at the compressor end, he suspected our somewhat battered up looking evaporator box. The paint had flaked off in places and the aluminum edges were wonky. He didn’t have his refill gas with him but he’d leave and get it. Our hearts sank. So near yet so far we thought. He’d leave and not return - but he left his tools.

The toolbag left as re-assurance of return!

Laurie duly returned and re-gassed the fridge. It might be sufficient to keep us going for a long or a short time. The alternative? Replace the evaporator plate. He had one in stock. Great! we declared. No supply chain issues and we certainly weren’t prepared to entertain refrigeration issues in New Caledonia.

Laurie returned, as promised the following Tuesday. The stopgap re-gas worked a treat so we could enjoy cold beer and icy gin and tonic at the end of a work day and that’s how we spent the first unexpected sum of $600 for Hardstand 2020.