Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

[hmclem]

I have a Samsung RS20CCMS5/XEU side by side refrigerator.
It failed to cool and a local refrigeration engineer diagnosed that it was low on R600a gas , so added some more.
This didn’t fix the problem , and I subsequently discovered it is a common problem where the classic evaporator coils ice up.

Having defrosted the fridge it now functions fine for a while except that the compressor always seems to draw much more current .
In the past the compressor was drawing 150W on average , it now draws 180W , and seems to run continuously

I suspect that it now has too much R600a gas. Is this likely to be a problem. ?

How can I ( or my new engineer ) tell if the correct 80g worth of gas is present ?
( other than by removing the gas and refilling it ).

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Anyone working with R600a should be F GAS registered for the safe handling of refrigerants..

R600a is a flammable gas but has no CFC’s to harm the ozone layer.

It sounds if your fridge freezer is overcharged with R600a and the only way to test is with a set of gauge’s or a complete regas.

Bob

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

If it is overcharged this puts extra stress on the compressor and can cause it to fail if it is left overcharged.

Bob

[hmclem]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Thanks.
Would the pressure at the sealed pipe from the compressor ( via the newly installed line tap) be standard for any R600a type fridge? So that too much gas would have a higher than expected pressure ?

[admin]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Hi

Anyone working with R600a should be F GAS registered for the safe handling of refrigerants..

Incorrect as R600a is not governed under the F gas scheme.

The only way to correctly make sure if the refrigerant is to weight it in unless he knows what he is doing which it seems he doesn’t.Over charging on R600a is dangerous and it can ruin your compressor.

I would suggest you get another engineer who does work with R600a and get the engineer to foot the bill for the degas and regas.

Bryan

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Hi Brian

According to the FGas regulations you can work on R600a systems if it is factory sealed and clearly marked R600a is in the system as it is safe to assume R600a is in the system.

If the system has been broken into you cannot assume R600a is in the system and the FGAS certificate is required as you need to be able to test by pressure and temperature to identify it is R600a in the system.

If the system has been broken into you do not know what gas is in the system as I have been to R134 systems that have had R600a added and R600a systems with R134 in them.

It’s surprising how many cowboys are out there.

Not all repairers are up to our standard

This was in the legal requirements I had to answer questions on in the exam and one of the questions I was asked.

I took the cat 1 certificate to cover domestic a
and COMERCIAL so this included a lot of legal requirement questions

Bob

[hmclem]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Thanks guys.
I do hope that at least he didnt add a different gas. Its clearly marked R600a , and was talking about the ” new gas” . Interesting and scary point though.

As well as safe handling of gas , Is there some sort of body or qualification which is acknowledged as meaning “ Im competent to repair domestic fridges”. ?

Even the Samsung recommended engineers didn’t inspire much confidence as they seemed more interested in charging me £200 to fix the defrost problem .
Also they reckoned that the extra gas wouldn’t be a problem , and it “may even make the fridge more efficient”. !!. Which from your replies I would doubt.

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Refcom or the FGAS register or most WTA or DASA members.

Bob

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

What part of the country do you live I am sure you would have a WTA member near you

Bob

[hmclem]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

I live in Edinburgh , and as you suggest Ive done a WTA search. It give a Freezer engineer in Bonnybridge about 24 miles away.
Thanks

[hmclem]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

One of the symptoms is the compressor running continuously. Well Ive monitored it over at least an hour.

Any idea what actually controls the compressor run cycle?
e.g Is it controlled by some sort of thermostat switch within the compressor unit ?

And is this another indication of possible R600a overcharge?

Oh, and while this is happening the fridge and freezer are settled at their correct temperatures ( and indicated and measured).

Im now keen to understand as much as possible before getting another engineer involved , for obvious reasons. ( Even purchased the service manual , which seems generally pretty comprehensive , except of course on this aspect.)

[SAMURI]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

If the refrigerant charge is incorrect it can cause the compressor to run continuous.

The compressor is also controlled by the pcb and sensors

Bob

[boschman]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

common fault with samsung sbs
it is not a system fault at all so if he gassed it up it was wrong????
now the problem is too much gas wich will ruin the compresser
ise will be backing up down to the compresser and will blow it eventually
get someone to check the system with a set of gauges with these you can tell if there is too much or not enough gas in the system.
back to the fault very commom it requires that the fridge defrost sensor is moved from the top of the evaperator to the very top lh pipe coming in on the left side this will allow the defrost heater to stay on a little longer to defrost the evaperater

[admin]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

it requires that the fridge defrost sensor is moved from the top of the evaperator to the very top lh pipe coming in on the left side this will allow the defrost heater to stay on a little longer to defrost the evaperater

Nope boschman.This is a RS20 not RSH1.

The fault would probably be the defrost sensor which is located in the freezer section as this model is a single cooling unit.It could also be the bottom defrost heater not the evaperator one.These are really the only fault that this model has.

Bryan

[hmclem]

Re: Samsung RS20 – R600a gas problem

Thanks guys, youre right.
I checked the resistance across all of the connectors. They all made sense apart from the defrost sensor which was reading 33 degC .( Its never that hot in Scotland!!) I measured its actual ambient temperature as 18C.
Ive replaced it and now and when I command “Defrost” from the test mode , the compressor stops and the fridge draws 400W. Previously this did nothing. So Im pretty hopeful thats it fixed. Ill check the ice build up in a few days.

As an aside , when I checked the old thermistor having removed it from the fridge , it now appeared to be working fine. However I did notice what looks like slightly melted insulation ½ way down the connecting wire In fact bare wire was showing. Not good in a watery environment. Its either melted or been eaten by polystyrene . It didn’t appear to be routed near the heater element , but Ill go back in and check the new routing , and possibly even the temperatures if I can fire it up when dismantled.

R600 gas.
Now the previous engineer had a “ meter” when he diagnosed low gas , so Im now going to be a bit wary. The line tap he put on is on the sealed stub on the side of the compressor. On the sunction side?
What is the correct pressure? Under what circumstance , e.g. when running?

Incidentally the fridge was repaired by Samsung under warranty 4 years ago and its worked fine since , until now.

[Author]

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