Fisher & Paykel E402b defrost problem

[admin]

E402b serial number DAR202533R

The fridge freezer works great immediately after defrost cycle. Then progressively gets worse as the evap ices up, causing the thing to beep and flash that theres a freezer fault, and cutting out the fan, hence supply to the fridge. Does anyone know how the defrost is iniated by the unit. Would it be a sensor fault? Or is there a defrost duration timer? Or on demand?
the door seals are fine, fan works etc.. the fridge isn’t very old, and otherwise cycles OK.
the problem is at its worst when the fridge freezer is loaded up with warm produce(shopping).

thanks Paul

[litlor]

Re: Fisher & Paykel E402b defrost problem

This a defrosting problem Defrost Heater or Defrost Thermostat open circuit or defrost timer at fault

[admin]

Re: Fisher & Paykel E402b defrost problem

thanks for the prompt reply Litlor. The defrost heater works OK, it must be the timer, but this thing is computer controlled, and looking at the parts listing the only parts available(for this problem) are sensor kits? The computer must handle the timer. Are the microprocessors accesible by flash loading from a p.c? (i.e a Fisher & Paykel p.c) there is a socket at the back that accepts some connection, and the lable below it mentions ‘flash’.

[Penguin45]

Re: Fisher & Paykel E402b defrost problem

We don’t have a great deal of experience with these in the UK, and I haven’t got any tech info either. Hang fire ’til Alexa gets back, he seems to have the Oz spec tech info.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[alexa]

My apologies for the delay but I have been waiting for the manual to reappear but it seems to have been mislaid.

Gone are the days when a Frost Free Fridge was built like a Brick Outhouse.

Now they are more like an Enviro loo

Once the manual is what you used to hang on a nail for re-use

Now you need the correct paperwork.

So without the manual you are pushing the proverbial S*** uphill

So until the manual is found:

1/. The defrost you are talking about I assume is the one initiated by the machine (not a disconnect the power and clear manually)

2/. The defrost is initiated by the lower power board after factors including run time and the number of door openings

3/. The sensors are basically bullet proof and would be the last item to be suspected

4/. Not knowing how you ascertained that the element is working also causes a problem in diagnosing the fault

5/. How long is it before the unit fails after a defrost?

6/. Does the defrost cycle if automatic completely remove all “ice”?

7/. Does the “ice” form as frost or as ice blocks?

8/. Where is the “ice” forming?

An experienced technician can tell by the look and location of the “ice” what the causes could be however they can be many and varied and possibly multiple.

Without definitive information I cannot possibly indicate what your particular problem might be.

Things to check however include:

a/. Door Seal

b/. Drainage

c/. Element

d/. Defrost thermostat

Your only other option is to replace the Power board.

[admin]

Re: Fisher & Paykel E402b defrost problem

thanks for the help Alexa. I have checked that the defrost element operates.
It glows under the evap coil. It appears to do a good defrost. You can hear the ice falling, and it clears all the evap + pipes. So theres no problem with that. It just seems to be the timed duration maybe. The ice on the coil is soft white, not actually ice. It seems to get worse when the door hasn’t been opened for a while, like overnight. After it has defrosted the fan comes on and cools the chiller box to set point, then the fan goes off and the compressor seems to keep going for ever. The produce in the freezer has white soft ice on it by the evap outlet.
Giving the impression that the door seals are faulty, but there OK. I checked the drain hole, and taped it up to restict it. The fridge doesn’t do this all the time. Its winter now, and since it got damp its been getting worse. In summer after two days of 32 + it fell on it arse a few times. When i think its time to give in and call some bugger out, it works fine.
So it would be hard to diagnose. The freezer seems to be freezing lower than -18 degrees celcius. Its like the thing keeps on freezing with no lower set point(R134a is only good to -28 ?) . Bloody thing. Stupid flashing lights and beeps. I work on Thermo King units, same problems, but we have books and computers to plug into them.

thanks, Paul.

[alexa]

Check that your compressor is turning off both after and during defrost. Also do a temperature check after defrost plus 2 hours.

[Author]

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