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Need help with Fridge compressor
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:42 pm
by brogdenlaxmiddie
Ok, Yesturday, I was playing around with some friends and I found a mini-fridge that was being thrown away. I removed the compressor in accordance to the how-to's on the forum, but when I plugged it in nothing happened. The wires that connected to the wall were a bit frayed, so I replaced them with a new cable. I then plugged it in and nothing happened. I then unplugged it and opened the side box to check the connections and board and it all seemed to be in order. So, What do you guys think? Is it just straight up broken? Can It be fixed? Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance- Brogden
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:19 pm
by hi
maybe thats why it got thrown away...
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:27 pm
by Gippeto
Pictures of the wiring please.
It may have been wired through a temperature control?
With it unplugged from the wall, disconnect and re-connect all the connections in the "box". If it's a bad connection, this may help.
Best of luck.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:31 pm
by Coodude26
I've heard people say that the compressor is the first thing to go in fridges. Sorry, but I think that thing may be fried.
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:06 pm
by potatoflinger
Well, the compressor is one of the few parts of a refrigerator that can break, so since the refrigerator was being thrown away I would say that the reason it was being thrown away was probably a broken compressor.
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:18 pm
by VH_man
the best way to do it is to look for people who are getting new refrigerators and are getting the old ones hauled off.
either that or someones refrigerator whos compressor runs but wont cool anything (proboably missing freon).
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:24 pm
by POLAND_SPUD
firdge compressors are basically the only part that can break in a fridge that's true... what is more it usually does not make sense to repair them.... however some people trow them away becasue they are old so it's not that all thrown away fridges have a broken compressor
do what gippetto said that the best thing you can do...
ohhh there is one more possiblility - you might have messed up something (like connecting power to grounded cable or something) so please post pics of it just to be sure
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:06 pm
by brogdenlaxmiddie
OK, I agree with you guys. It should just be broken. :/ Oh well. I was thiisssss close to a high pressure compressor.
edit- Sorry forgot to ask- Where could I buy one online?
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:56 pm
by POLAND_SPUD
try eBay.... and google
or this -->
http://www.worldscrap.com/modules/trade ... p?id=22720
buy 10 tones and sell them to other members for 50$.... sorry I couldn't resist

That's impresive, isn't it ?
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:50 pm
by jimmy101
It may be that the power/starter relay is busted and the compressor itself is OK.
I've never had a a frig die because of a problem with the compressor or a freon leak. I have had'm decide to spontaneously turn the relay into a molten pile of goo accompanied by a cloud of acrid smoke.
The relay is about the only electronic part besides the thermostat and the pump itself. The power wires go into it. It has either a pair of wires coming out to the compressor or it plugs directly onto the compressor.
You might check to see if there is voltage at the compressor. You did hook up (or short across) the themostat didn't you?
POLAND_SPUD: That's a pretty cool photo. I wonder if they recovered the R12 freon out of all those. R12 is up over $50/pound in the US.
Do you have a photo or drawing of what the inside of these compressors look like?
Do these compressors have built in pop-off valves? I can't think of many consumer devices that generate pressure that don't have a built in pop-off.
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:14 pm
by Gippeto
For Jimmy101 and anyone who hasn't seen the inside of a fridge compressor yet;
http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg76 ... ompressor/
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:29 pm
by POLAND_SPUD
Do these compressors have built in pop-off valves? I can't think of many consumer devices that generate pressure that don't have a built in pop-off.
normally they don't work as normal compressors becasue they only pump a limited amount of refrigerator gas..... I don't know when they stop or what's ther limit.. the highest pressure I achieved was 650 psi and then I turned it off
therefore it's good to have one weaker part on it.... ussualy it is an air hose.. get one that's rated to 25 bar and you should be fine becasue it'll fail first
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:12 pm
by Darkside 6ix
lol...Poland spud. are those all yours? ill buy one lol

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:43 am
by psycix
Well, if something is broken, then take it apart
I always do that with everything, and you might find some of the following things:
1-The cause of the breakdown
2-A way to repair it
3-See how things work inside
4-Scavenge-able parts!
I do not expect a fridge to have a pop-off: it would be releasing the gas and the fridge would need a freon-refill.
POLAND_SPUD wrote:That's impresive, isn't it ?
Hell yeah!
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:37 pm
by TurboSuper
I read that company as "Word's Crap".
Free shipping
