Anyone know about refrigerators? (reefing-adjacent)

[JoJosReef]

Bought a used fridge and trying to set it up to dose phyto:

All of the above is fine. I didn't hit any wires or any freon coils. The dosing tube will pass through that cut metal straw.

Here is the problem: I plugged in the fridge yesterday and it is not cooling at all. On top of that, it makes a periodic clicking sound like a lighter, every couple of minutes, which I assume is power turning it on or off (but I could be wrong).

I could sure use some help finding out if/what broke on the fridge.

Here is a pic of the back:

Does anyone see any obvious problems? The clicking noise finally got me worried enough (after feeling the heat on those components) to unplug the fridge. I don't want to catch the carpet on fire or anything.

Thanks!

 

[Marco_99]

Bought a used fridge and trying to set it up to dose phyto:

All of the above is fine. I didn't hit any wires or any freon coils. The dosing tube will pass through that cut metal straw.

Here is the problem: I plugged in the fridge yesterday and it is not cooling at all. On top of that, it makes a periodic clicking sound like a lighter, every couple of minutes, which I assume is power turning it on or off (but I could be wrong).

I could sure use some help finding out if/what broke on the fridge.

Here is a pic of the back:

Does anyone see any obvious problems? The clicking noise finally got me worried enough (after feeling the heat on those components) to unplug the fridge. I don't want to catch the carpet on fire or anything.

Thanks!

First off, I’m sure that office is over insured to begin with with all the “classified” stuff that takes place inside those walls. You never said if you bought a “working” fridge or not. Second off, usually a clicking sound is a relay or it’s the compressor trying to start but not kicking on, that’s all I got. That wire taped together is sketchy af and I would get your top men looking into that code violation right away

 

[mkpetersen]

First guess is the thermostat. Does the compressor run for any appreciable amount of time? Thermostats are cheap. It would be my first try.

 

[JoJosReef]

First off, I’m sure that office is over insured to begin with with all the “classified” stuff that takes place inside those walls. You never said if you bought a “working” fridge or not. Second off, usually a clicking sound is a relay or it’s the compressor trying to start but not kicking on, that’s all I got. That wire taped together is sketchy af and I would get your top men looking into that code violation right away

Looks like I better get more worky-work done so I can buy another fridge!

 

[luis angel]

Bought a used fridge and trying to set it up to dose phyto:

All of the above is fine. I didn't hit any wires or any freon coils. The dosing tube will pass through that cut metal straw.

Here is the problem: I plugged in the fridge yesterday and it is not cooling at all. On top of that, it makes a periodic clicking sound like a lighter, every couple of minutes, which I assume is power turning it on or off (but I could be wrong).

I could sure use some help finding out if/what broke on the fridge.

Here is a pic of the back:

Does anyone see any obvious problems? The clicking noise finally got me worried enough (after feeling the heat on those components) to unplug the fridge. I don't want to catch the carpet on fire or anything.

Thanks!

From what you say Jojo the thermal protector is damaged

 

[JoJosReef]

From what you say Jojo the thermal protector is damaged

Hmm, that doesn't sound safe for an office or any building for that matter. Is that this piece?

 

[JoJosReef]

First guess is the thermostat. Does the compressor run for any appreciable amount of time? Thermostats are cheap. It would be my first try.

I don't know if the compressor (which I think is the part below) runs for any particularly long period of time. It certainly gets hot. But the inside of the fridge does not cool off at all.

 

[luis angel]

From what you say Jojo the thermal protector is damaged

@JoJosReef You may have to buy a 3 in 1, I have those parts in the van, if you can't get them I can send them to you if you need them.

 

[FUNGI]

my $$$ on the start relay

 

[luis angel]

Hmm, that doesn't sound safe for an office or any building for that matter. Is that this piece?

This one, but it's better if you replace everything

 

[luis angel]

my $$$ on the start relay

He should replace everything, but if it were the starting capacitor, it wouldn't make the clicking sound.

 

[FUNGI]

its two components...the relay itself and then a capacitor...but agree replace all....

 

[JoJosReef]

I suddenly feel very, very out of my depth.

I'll get onto some youtube videos to see about replacing thermal protectors and start relays.

 

[JoJosReef]

First off, I’m sure that office is over insured to begin with with all the “classified” stuff that takes place inside those walls. You never said if you bought a “working” fridge or not. Second off, usually a clicking sound is a relay or it’s the compressor trying to start but not kicking on, that’s all I got. That wire taped together is sketchy af and I would get your top men looking into that code violation right away

First guess is the thermostat. Does the compressor run for any appreciable amount of time? Thermostats are cheap. It would be my first try.

He should replace everything, but if it were the starting capacitor, it wouldn't make the clicking sound.

its two components...the relay itself and then a capacitor...but agree replace all....

Thanks everyone!

 

[FUNGI]

what you pointed out in yellow....(Luis).....

OP, you should be able to pick up parts (all two as a single unit) approx: $20 bucks

 

[JoJosReef]

@JoJosReef You may have to buy a 3 in 1, I have those parts in the van, if you can't get them I can send them to you if you need them.

Thanks Luis! I will see if this is something I can accomplish without burning down the office and let you know!

 

[Red_Beard]

No way. Never put oem parts back on, definitely get a 3-in-1 like @luis angel recommended. Also let it cool down all the way before trying to start it. If that gets you going, no worries. One other thing to check is for lock rotor. If you have an amp clamp it will be pretty obvious with super high draw then the overload will click and it will stop pulling any. A bad winding can cause it to overheat too. To test for bad windings: If you pull all the crap off the front there are three contact pins on the front, the ohms between 2 lugs should roughly equal the ohms between the third.
Like
1-2 1 ohm
1-3 7 ohm
2-3 8 ohm. Ish.

Sometimes if it is lock rotor and you have a 3 in 1 you can get it unstuck with a hammer... but it is prob on the way out if that is the case.

 

[luis angel]

Thanks Luis! I will see if this is something I can accomplish without burning down the office and let you know!

Let me know, my friend. I'll send you the spare part if you want. I just need the compressor's power consumption to send you the correct part. If you need technical help, don't hesitate to write. I'm an air conditioning and refrigeration technician.

 

[Marco_99]

On another note, I would try to keep the gear down to a minimum inside that fridge, definitely eating up valuable beer space

 

[JoJosReef]

Let me know, my friend. I'll send you the spare part if you want. I just need the compressor's power consumption to send you the correct part. If you need technical help, don't hesitate to write. I'm an air conditioning and refrigeration technician.

I'll make sure to leave some space for a Heineken for you when you visit, and you can confirm to @Marco_99 that I have a real office where real work sometimes happens!