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This is a single-compressor non-frost-free machine with two mechanical thermostats but [as far as I could see] no solenoid valve. Can somebody explain how the temp. is controlled in each compartment?
My problem is that the fridge is maintaining temperature but three months ago the freezer defrosted over a period of a couple of days. The back pressure is about 15in of vacuum so one would assume that there is a refrigerant leak. But if it lost enough gas to stop the freezer cooling in 2 days, how is it that it hasn’t lost the rest of the gas during the last three months? So is it a temp control problem not a leak? Are the fridge and freezer fed in parallel rather than successively, and the freezer pipework has become blocked? But the back pressure came up quickly when I switched it off. The compressor temperature was about normal so I think the fridge ‘stat is operating properly and switching the compressor on and off. The freezer evaporator was cold and dripping, rather than room temp. and dry, so it is doing some cooling.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Geoff
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
This model has 1 operating stat in fridge, other stat in freezer is a signal warning stat only. I can only guess that this appliance is sited in a cold location? e.g. garage. If this is the case you will find that the appliance is OK and is suffering from low ambient temp. not allowing the stat in fridge to raise temp. enough to cut back in again. Thus stopping operation + losing freezer food. Cold winter day?
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
Whats the refrigerant R134a or R600a ? If R600a then the pressure is about right, if R134a then as you say you may have a partial restriction or perhaps short of gas. Also when did you check the pressures, was it on start up of after afew minutes?
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
Hi
Putting on line taps on a R600a system is a NO NO. the chemical formulation and the fineness of the gas will leak faster and it’ll cause more problems.
BRYAN
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
Thanks for the information on the thermostats Bruce. I should have said; it’s on r134a, so the back presure is rather low. I checked it while the compressor was running, when I arrived. I don’t think it’s an ambient temp. problem, even though the appliance is in the cellar, as they’ve had the problem for three months.
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
So going back to basics, you have to check the ambient temperature to confirm that the temp is never below say +2c. To be honest I would expect a cellar to be around that temp. You have to ensure it has sufficient gas which it seems not to have (but could be a restriction or duff compressor) and you have to confirm that the stat works. If it were me I would get the customer to move it out of the cellar and try it for afew days in a warmer environment. Finally, I have had two this last week where the ambient temp was too cold for the appliance. Good luck
Re: Hotpoint Fridge-freezer RF64
Thanks for the help guys. Yes, I realised that the problem had been there for the length of the winter when somebody suggested ambient temp. problem, but it hasn’t been cold every day. The very low back pressure I think is significant. I’m going back this evening armed with a new bottle of refrigerant [I’d run out when I was there the other day] and will report back in due course.
Look forward to seeing you guys on Thursday/Friday.
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