[C320-list] Frozen Compressor on Adler Barber Cold Machine

[Graeme Clark]

I’m no refrigeration expert but recently did a bit of reading prior to replacing my 1996 unit!

My I de standing is:-

If the system is set up correctly the entire evaporator cold plate in the cooler box should be cool/frosted but the return pipe to the compressor should not. If it is then that’s a sign that the system is overcharged with refrigerant

Conversely an undercharged system will show up because only a portion of the evaporator plate gets cold

The cooling effect is when the liquid refrigerant expands through a small orifice to become a gas

The compressor then compressed the gas which makes it very hot and the condenser cools the hot gas (with the aid of a fan) to return the refrigerant to a liquid and the cycle repeats

I struggle to see how lack of fan or other overheating would cause frosting on the compressor or condenser?

I would suspect a partial blockage of the circuit near the compressor and condenser creating a restriction and allowing the refrigerant to expand into a gas downstream of that restriction

I’m not sure how else you end up with frosting at the compressor end,  which creates considerable heat! 

But I’m no expert so happy to be schooled!

However I replaced my system (including evaporator) at a cost of under $1000. It’s an easy, although fiddly, job

The new unit draws 3amps max (variable speed so sometimes only 2.5) vs 6 amps on the old one

In my humble opinion I wouldn’t spend a cent on fixing your 1994 system as I suspect it will be the start of continual maintenance costs given its age. Bite the bullet and replace it if you can afford to do so! 

Graeme
#366
1996

Sent from my phone. Excuse typos! 

> On 2 Sep 2020, at 13:04, islgirl3 at aol.com wrote:
> 
> Dave,Also make sure the fan is working properly.
> RichBarbara Rita 897
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com>
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tue, Sep 1, 2020 8:49 pm
> Subject: [C320-list] Frozen Compressor on Adler Barber Cold Machine
> 
> Dave
> 
> Your question doesn’t show up in my email feed just on the site so I had to
> try to redo the subject line.
> 
> We have had this problem with a dehumidifier we use in the basement.  We
> have found that turning the dehumidifier down a little seems to help a lot
> to extend the useful life of the unit.
> 
> The typical cause of this problem is that your compressor is working harder
> than it was designed to do originally.  This can be because you have the
> fridge turned way up on a not so hot day so there is not enough  hot air
> blowing across the compressor , or because your compressor fan isn't
> blowing quite as  well as it used to, or you are starting to run low on
> refrigerant.
> 
> If this is your original unit and you literally have 26 years on a cold
> machine.  Wow!  You got a lot of miles on that baby, but...you are going
> to need a new unit sooner or later.  A recharge of your system may not be
> possible if it was an older refrigerant but that is something you could
> look into I suppose.
> 
> Good luck, if it's working for now, try knocking the temp back a little and
> see if that clears up the icing situation....or...put a fan down there to
> get more air circulation?
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Troy Dunn
> Hull#514