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I just bought my 2007 358. First post here...

As I’ve read here a few times, the cockpit fridge has some issues in the heat.

Mine is a WAECO 110v/12v auto fridge. I thought it wasn’t working as when I took the boat out the first time for a few hours, the freezer was full of water droplets and wasn’t cold. Also, the water bottles Inside te fridge were slightly cool and not cold. I took the cockpit fridge out and brought it home with me. I emptied it, cleaned it and plugged it in to the 110v outlet overnight. I put a beer in there for good measure. The beer was cold and the fridge was cold the next morning.

I took the fridge back to the boat, measured the voltages on the boat 12v plug and had 13v. So I knew there was power. I left the fridge out of its hole and plugged it in via 12v while I was doing some work. I did not plug it in the 110v. Within a few hours it was cold as it should be. So I put it back in its hole. Figured the fridge was good and that first time I took out the boat was just a fluke.

Well, the next time I took the boat out, same thing happened. The beverages were slightly cool after a few hours on the water. I realized that the fridge comportement might be overheating and heat was not dissipating. I left one of the cupboards open and the fridge began cooling a little more as heat was escaping the compartment.

So now my assumptions are that the fridge is working properly but heat is not dissipating from behind the fridge and cooling doesn’t happen until that hot air escapes somehow.

Here’s my plan. I bought 2x 12v computer fans which provide 200CFM each, drawing 1.4A current each. I also bought a DC rheostat with which I can control the speed of the fans to reduce the current draw and the noise (I’ve tried all this at home and I can turn the fans down to about 140CFM and they draw 50% less current, or about 600mA each). My plan is to put those fans in the fridge compartment and create airflow between the bottom of the fridge (where there is a gap) and the top vent holes underneath the sink.

I have so concerns though:

1. If I use the fans at full blast and draw 2.8A from my batteries over 2-3 days while on the water, am I asking for trouble? Is this too much current to run continuously on my house batteries? How about if I turn them down to 50% and draw 1.2A instead? I just have no idea what current is consumed on the boat and how long things will last...

2. Is my plan going to create enough airflow to be viable out on the water when it’s 30C (or 90F)? Or should I try something else? I’ve read of others buying the new Dometic MPS-50 power converter which seems to help the fridge cool better.

Any help or input is appreciated. Especially if you’ve had issues as I’m describing.

Thanks!

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

I have the 278.

I have never had a problem with my fridge like that. I had a problem with the wiring being too small and the fridge would not run on 12v initially. Rewired and no issue until the power inverter went out. Relay inside would not switch to 12V. After replacing with the newer 50 power supply - no issues.

Are you 100% sure the fridge is working good on 12V. Open the fridge and verify the compressor is running when on 12V. You should easily be able to hear the compressor.
Also, you can see the light is very dim if not working properly when the compressor tries to engage.

On my 278 - there is not a lot of room for ventilation back behind the fridge. And I live in Alabama where it gets very hot.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

@JFB
I have been experiencing the same frustrating issues with my fridge. I have a 2008 318 so I’m not sure how the setup is compared to yours.?. Mine has a tight cabinet wall on both sides and back. To the right is the wall that holds the plumbing for the cockpit sink and garbage container. I was considering cutting out that wall completely to allow more air flow.?. I am tired of not having a cockpit fridge!

That cabinet gets hot! It has the fridge running without anyplace to vent it and could be baking in the sun as well.

I've had a '08 318 and now have a '07 358. IIRC, both were 110v only. Only the galley fridge was 12v/110v.

That said, I've had no issue with it staying cold, even ice in the freezer. On my 318 I added an additional vent below the fridge and that helped. I went to add the same vent on the 358 and discovered it's open for the first inch below the fridge.

I keep cleaning chemicals in the cabinet next to it, so I'd never take down that divider wall.

On my galley fridge, I replaced the controller as it only would run on 12v and not 110v. Might look at the controller.

Not sure on the fan power...we run the generator anytime we're off the dock.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

@firecadet. My fridge is definitely dual voltage (12v/110v). I have the same boat you had, 2008 318v. I’m wondering if you had any pics of the vent you installed below the fridge. This has been aggravating to say the least! Sorry if I’m hijacking this thread!!

When was yours built? My 318 was a Feb '08 build (B808 is last 4 of the HIN). I can't find a picture of it, but I used the same vent that is above the fridge / below the sink. I have one I picked up for my 358, gathering dust on my desk if you need to buy the vent.

Very simple install - just drilled 4 holes with a hole saw for the venting and 4 screw holes. Centered it below the fridge. On both my 318 / 358 - the evening sun hits the fridge (well the white door in front of it) and no issues with it staying cold.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

So our 2007 WAECO did not cool very well and finally died. We could not find someone to repair it so we installed a Norcold (12v/120v). We did see that cabinet did not have enough airflow so we added 2 vents and removed the door. No problems in cooling. We have a Group 31 house battery and have never had a battery drain issue. The WAECO fan did die, which I think was the beginning of the end for it.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Thanks for all the replies.

I talked to a marine fridge specialist in my area, his opinion is that if it’s working well on 12V outside of the cabinet and working well on 110V outside of the cabinet, then the problem is not with the fridge. I will install my 12V airflow fans next week and report back.

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

Correct. If you feel that side storage cabinet next to the fridge, it will be HOT. That's bound to affect the fridge.

Very interested to see how the fans work....a cooler area is always a plus!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Well everyone, I am happy to report that my little system seems to be working...

I installed two 200 CFM fans with a DC rehostat to control the speed of the fans (they are LOUD!). I installed one fan at the bottom rear of the compartment and one fan at the top rear of the compartment in a order to create an airflow of some sort. I had noticed there was about 2.5 inches of space below the fridge and even more space above therefore sucking air from under the fridge and trying to push it out the top seemed the best plan.

Since install, the built-in fridge fan has not started and Ive had t turn down my cooling setting inside the fridge once on 12V as water would start freezing too fast.

I hope this lasts. Enjoy the few pics I took...

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

Excellent! Can you post the pics?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Sorry the images are sideways.

Finally figured out how to add images (hard much?!) and my images were too big, hence fitting them sideways worked.....

Will add picture of rheostat soon...

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

Excellent pics and install - thank you for sharing with the group! Where did you wire the fans power in at?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I think you would be better served by positioning one of the fans over the opening and pulling the hot air into the space behind the compartment, I'm assuming that this opening also leads to the bilge area where there will be large open space to dissipate the heat.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

I was going to use the existing 12V supply for the fridge, but I had a spare 12V wire in the compartment under the sink that was not connected to anything. I have no idea which circuit it is on, but it is live. I guess I got lucky...

Since the fans draw 3A at max power (100% rheostat), and yet I use the fans at about 30% through the rheostat which uses about 700mA, I'm sure tapping into the 12V supply connected to the fridge is ok.

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358