The J/109 Class Association Forum

Spending some time in the rear of my 109, I noticed a blower is constantly running.

Is that normal? Is it tempurature controlled?

Probably your reefer, and it is low on freon. Turn off the reefer and see if the blower stops. The compressor is located on a shelf port side outboard of the rudder post.

I spent a lot of time in the back of the boat repairing the glass and core from a leaky radar dish pole. I have never heard the blower continuously running. The fridge compressor is all that I have heard when the key isn't turned. I am far from an expert on the matter but mine doesn't run all the time.

This procedure fixes the warm beer syndrome. Here are some pictures of the Sea Frost compressor and filling it with R134a refrigerant. I used a freon sniffer and found a leaking Schrader valve on the inlet fill connection to the compressor, so replaced it. Adding refrigerant is a two person operation as the compressor needs to be cycled on and off while filling the system. The pressure is measured when the system "relaxes" and the refrigerant vaporizes and should be ~40psi. When the compressor is running the inlet pressure should be ~10psi. If unfamiliar with filling a refrigerant system hire an HVAC tech to do it properly.

Located Port Side outboard Rudder Post


Cover Removed


Adding Freon