Chest Freezer Not Chilling

[gava]

howdy,

I received a chest freezer yesterday from a mate (not that old) plugged it in and it looks like it working the power is getting to it..

when I open the lid the flight comes on but the compressor doesn't start at all..

what would make this do that?

 

[Supra-Jim]

Is it a frost free one?

I had some issues with a frost free fridge (using a fridgemate) getting stuck on the timer/controller that operates the normal cycling and frost free function. only happened on really warm days though. All i had to do was unplug the unit (power off at the wall) and just nudge the timer unit over the sticking point (turn till you hear a click).

Not sure if this is your problem, just offering my two cents. Hope it helps.

:icon_cheers: SJ

 

[gava]

Is it a frost free one?

I had some issues with a frost free fridge (using a fridgemate) getting stuck on the timer/controller that operates the normal cycling and frost free function. only happened on really warm days though. All i had to do was unplug the unit (power off at the wall) and just nudge the timer unit over the sticking point (turn till you hear a click).

Not sure if this is your problem, just offering my two cents. Hope it helps.

:icon_cheers: SJ

not sure if it is but im not using on fridgemate (yet) just trying from the wall socket to see if it'll work.. but I'll keep that in mind cheers.

 

[Supra-Jim]

Yeah, my issue was occuring with and without the fridgemate.

:icon_cheers: SJ

 

[mash head]

Could be lots of things. Was it supposed to work when it was given to you. Rodents are pretty good at chewing through wiring would be a good idea to unplug unit and check under neath to ensure wires are all there and connected other than that you probably need a refrigeration mechanic probably dicky thermostat or compreesor motor. Hope this was helpful Greg :icon_cheers:

 

[seravitae]

short circuit the thermostat.

 

[Batz]

short circuit the thermostat.

You a fitter? :lol: That's exactly what I'll do first as well,sparkies hate us :lol:

Screwy had a win in this situation, I can't remember what it was,perhaps PM him.

Batz

 

[flattop]

um not being familiar with freezer thermostats but i would think a "short" in it would cause the compressor to run all the time.
See depending on how it is wired thermostats would normally turn on when they get to warm causing the compressor to turn on and then turn off when it reaches the right temp causing the compressor to stop. I have heard of ppl turning fridges into freezers by crimping the thermostat (creating a short).
If you deliberately short the thermostat the compressor will never turn off (you will need a fridgemate) and youj will get a big elec bill

Think of the old ducted heating thermostats they work the reverse way, as the spring inside contracts they touch 2 metal parts and turn on the heater, when it heats up the metal spring moves away and it turns off.

HOWEVER, if it's an "open" circuit in the thermostat it never closes and this may be the problem in your unit.
Then again it could be that there is no refrigerant gas in it, some units have a cutout switch, no gas means the compressor won't turn on to prevent compressor damage.
the compressors motor could also have worn out...
If you want to take a punt thermostats i think are relatively cheap...

 

[Batz]

um not being familiar with freezer thermostats but i would think a "short" in it would cause the compressor to run all the time.

Spot on flattop :icon_chickcheers:

Then we know it the thermostat,which we replace or add a mashmaster.
If it does not run go back two places. :lol:
Not a fitter hey? :lol:


Batz

 

[geoffi]

I finagled a free freezer from a friend.

It stopped working soon after. I found I could keep it at steady brewing temps by popping in the odd frozen PET of water.

The power bills are low.

 

[mattieharding]

I'm a fridgie and I agree totally with your way of thinking....... short out the stat and atleast you can say yes it is that or continue on to the next step
after all you have to start somewhere. Thats what we do, start at the cheap easy fixes then move up

 

[J.T]

Have a listen to the compressor as soon as you plug it in.

You should be able to hear if its trying to start. If it is, and not running...its probably crook.
If its not, look into the thermostat, compressor overload or connecting wiring.

If it is running and not cooling = gas problem.

 

[mattieharding]

Have a listen to the compressor as soon as you plug it in.

You should be able to hear if its trying to start. If it is, and not running...its probably crook.
If its not, look into the thermostat, compressor overload or connecting wiring.

If it is running and not cooling = gas problem.

Or if its running and not cooling could also be not pumping = stuffed compressor

 

[gava]

Have a listen to the compressor as soon as you plug it in.

You should be able to hear if its trying to start. If it is, and not running...its probably crook.
If its not, look into the thermostat, compressor overload or connecting wiring.

If it is running and not cooling = gas problem.

I turned on the freezer and it sounded like the compressor was either working or trying to work.

 

[J.T]

Yep, spot on Mattie.
Gava, it doesn't sound good.

Sounds like gas or crook compressor. Either way, you may need to look for a replacement freezer.
Generally not worth the hassle or cost fixing them.

 

[gava]

Yep, spot on Mattie.
Gava, it doesn't sound good.

Sounds like gas or crook compressor. Either way, you may need to look for a replacement freezer.
Generally not worth the hassle or cost fixing them.

Its a pretty newish freezer and finding theses bastards are hard so I might see how dear it is to get it fixed/re-gased..

 

[gava]

ok since I dont have a working freezer will this work??

I got the idea from reading through some of these posts, I mocked up some drawings..

1: the full design with fridge with top freezer with anitfreeze stuff in it with a bilge pump which pumps through the copper chiller thing.
the bilge pump will be hooked upto a tempmate that turns the pump on and the fans in front of the copper when it requires to cool..

its a quick drawing but you get the idea..

will this work?

 

[Carbonator]

will this work?

Nice CAD stuff there. You should specialise it that stuff to pay for your beer!

Yes, if you want it to be as good as a snow flake in the tropics!

Lots of energy required to make it work how you want. There are more efficient ways to cool stuff! Just ask the people in Dubai how much it costs to go snow skiing there in summer!

 

[seravitae]

A few people have played around with 'hijacking' existing heat pump systems in this manner.



It is in my opinion that it is not a good idea because:

* air sucks for conducting heat.

* the temp of a freezer is higher then that of the chiller coil, by a long shot. When your fridge is at 0C, the coil can be anywhere to about -22C i believe. Thus, if you're trying to cool a large cabinet with 0C air (plus losses) don't expect to be able to get that box down to 0C as well. Unless your insulation is *huge*. 10 times bigger than the first box.

 

[gava]

A few people have played around with 'hijacking' existing heat pump systems in this manner.



It is in my opinion that it is not a good idea because:

* air sucks for conducting heat.

* the temp of a freezer is higher then that of the chiller coil, by a long shot. When your fridge is at 0C, the coil can be anywhere to about -22C i believe. Thus, if you're trying to cool a large cabinet with 0C air (plus losses) don't expect to be able to get that box down to 0C as well. Unless your insulation is *huge*. 10 times bigger than the first box.

I was thinking of using Glycol pumped around with a submerged bilge pump.. this will sit in my freezer box which is around -10c to -15c..