Sea Frost Bait Freezer User Manual

372 ROUTE 4 BARRINGTON, NH 03825 USA TEL [phone] FAX [phone]

E-Mail:[e-mail] www.seafrost.com

SEA FROST BAIT FREEZER

BF1 ~ BF2 ~ BF3 220-VOLT

Pre-charged

DESCRIPTION

The Sea Frost Freezer system consists of several parts: The cold plates or wrapped
box liner (hidden cooling coils), a refrigerant control valve, copper connecting lines, a
receiver filter drier with sight glass, a compressor / condensing unit and a thermostat.

OPERATION

With the thermostat in the “on” position, the compressor, fan, and pump (if equipped)
will operate. Ten minutes after starting the compressor the area near the valve or the
top of a hidden coil box will begin to cool and frost.

If you do not observe cooling, with the compressor and fan running, switch off
the unit to avoid damage.

Within a few minutes of starting the Bait Freezer, the tubing in close proximity to the
valve and the valve itself will be noticeably cold. (If after 20 minutes of operation the

cooling in this area is not observed, do not continue to operate the system.)

After several hours, the box temperature will cool to well below freezing.
The first plate or the top section of a wrapped box will cool first. Because it freezes first,
all the moisture suspended in the air within the box condenses and freezes at this plate.
Frost is not a good indication of proper operation; check the temperature with a
thermometer. When the box and contents cool to the desired setting, the compressor
and fan will cycle on and off periodically to maintain the set temperature.

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CONDENSING UNIT LOCATION AND MOUNTING

Air Cooled

The design of the Bait Freezer (BF) allows the air-cooled condensing unit to be placed
in an enclosed space such as a locker or engine room.

Mount the unit level with the compressor at the bottom. The unit may be bulkhead or
platform mounted. Rubber Wellnut inserts are installed on the bottom and back of the
condensing unit to attach to brackets or shelving. The Wellnut require ¼-20 machine
screws.

Air and Water Cooled

The condensing unit should be mounted with the compressor at the bottom parallel to
the boat’s water line at rest. Air is drawn through the unit and discharges at the fan
screen on the upper left side. Cooling water from an air conditioning system manifold or
separate pump may be connected to the water fittings on the left side.

Water-cooling is standard on BF2 and BF3 models. Water from an air conditioning
pump manifold can be plumbed into the BF condensing unit and triggered by the 220­volt supply labeled "pump" or a dedicated pump can be installed. A flow of two to three
GPM is sufficient. (Pump draw not to exceed 1.2 amps at 220-volts.) Use of water­cooling is not mandatory; the unit will operate with air-cooling only. If the condensing
unit is to be mounted in a confined area with little ventilation or a very hot engine room
the water-cooling should be connected.

Installation Requirements

• Never block the inlet nor outlet. Service access and installation requires that
the front and left end (inlet/outlet side) be exposed. The duct hose will require 4"
of clearance past the end of the unit.

• Provide for driest, coolest air for intake. Use standard 4" duct hose to draw air
in from the cabin area to insure the coolest, driest air supply. Intake ducting from
the exterior of the boat may cause damp salt air to be drawn in which will reduce
unit life. For intake or exhaust through a finished panel, order a flange grill.

• Discharge does not need ducting if a vent in the area allows warm air to
escape. An un-ducted unit in a poorly ventilated small space will heat the air,

lowering the capacity of the unit and possibly causing damage by overheating the
compressor.

• Total combined air duct length for intake and discharge should not exceed
six feet.

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EVAPORATOR PLATE INSTALLATION

Mount the plates on opposite walls as high as possible to take advantage of thermal
convection. Install the plates with the Wellnut, spacers and screws provided.

The plate(s) mounts with a
Wellnut expandable neoprene blind
hole fastener. A template or the plate itself
should be used to locate the mounting
holes. Drill a 3/16" pilot hole. Increase
this hole to 3/8". Install the screw into the
plate through the spacer then tighten the
screw in the Wellnut. Install the plate
pushing the rubber mounts in to the pre­drilled holes. Tighten the screws.

QUICK CONNECT FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Aeroquip quick connect fittings are used in this pre-charged system. These fittings
reseal upon disconnecting and do not leak during assembly.

If installing this compressor in an existing system. Use LSA line adapters to
interface with the new compressor. Attach, evacuate using a vacuum pump, leak
check, and then add a vapor charge of R-134a before connecting to the pre­charged condensing unit.

In a pre charged system installation make all the connections up to the
compressor first. The last two connections should be the suction fitting then the

discharge fitting.

To assemble, remove the heat shrink and plastic cap. Be sure the threads and the end
of the fittings are clean.

Finger tighten the fittings to avoid cross threading. Tighten to wrench snug and then pull
up 1/16 turn.

When making all connections, USE TWO WRENCHES. Don’t allow the fittings to turn
or twist when tightening.

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EXPANSION VALVE

The expansion valve/ liquid line/drier connects to one of the plate fittings and at the
discharge fitting on the compressor section.

After assembly externally mounted, valves will need to be insulated to prevent frost and
sweating.

Installers Set up

The constant pressure valve sets the refrigerant boiling point. The pressure setting will
indicate the minimum temperature that the freezer system can obtain. It has been pre
set at the factory. Observing the low side pressure with gauges, note that the pressure
is constant at 2 to 8 psi. , depending on the valve setting. If adjustment is needed, set
the valve pressure at the lowest possible pressure setting that will cool the box. The
plate temperature will always be at least 5 to 10 degrees colder than the box. Problems
will occur when the pressure is high and the thermostat is set low; the thermostat will
never be satisfied. The compressor will never stop. Refer to a pressure temperature
chart for R-134a. to be sure the plate can reach the thermostat cutout temperature.

A poorly insulated box will require a higher pressure setting to obtain any freezing and
will never freeze rock hard.

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