| Author | Message | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 844 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.116.46 Rating: N/A |
Just replaced a Magic Chef manual defrost, 11.5CF AC, with an automatic defrost, same size. The new fridge is closed in the rear,whereas the old had open coils; therefore, the box in total is larger and the space to the rear is totally used up..in fact, the unit sticks out a bit more than the old one. The sides are about the same +-3/4 inch on each side. Never had a problem with the old unit. (don't ask why we replaced it) Issue(s): on our recent trip,.. 1) the fridge "ran 100% of the time; (Outside temps were HOT...also inside the coach). 2) Stuff "froze" in the large compartment, but not everything all the time. Even in the vegetable drawers stuff froze....or the compartment became hot and things were not cooled at all. Many adjustments to that compartment regulator. 3) Freezer part always functioned "as it should", regardless of setting. 5) After three days of just sitting, not on the road, the lower compartment would not cool...except at the rear of the compartment by the fan port...then things froze at that location. When we returned, I disconnected the unit and let it sit for a day...doors open. The following day I re-connected, doors closed, and let it run for about 8 hours. Things seemed "normal". Bottom line seems to me to air circulation.??? Question: If I installed a fan or two at the base of the unit, for air circulation might that resolve the problem? Gee Whiz, this is a fun hobby...  Thanx, Ian, et al!! RCB | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1273 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 24.239.12.139  Rating: N/A |
Now you know what's "Magic".  Ian www.busnut.com | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 845 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.116.46 Rating: N/A |
U R Baaaaaaaaaaaad!...been sittin' there waiting on me, haven't ya???? Now, dear BOSS NUT. my coach is at the Beauty shop...and when she comes back, I appeal for some "respect"! Eight years is a looong time. RCB... | ||
| Tim (Timkar)
Registered Member Username: Timkar Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.232.217.141 Rating: N/A |
RC.....Maybe something like this fan in the ad designed for circulating the air in RV Fridges...Never used one, but looks like a good idea. http://www.rvtimes.com/arch/129/articles.php?file=29_a14_parts | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 945 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.93.50  Rating: N/A |
Re: "Just replaced a Magic Chef manual defrost, 11.5CF AC, with an automatic defrost, same size. " I'll bet a million buicks that there's a few engineers here that can tell you about the difference between those two. Aside from the techie stuff... is the AC pure? The integrated electronics of the new "I'll do it for you" stuff is more sensitive than the older non-techie crap. If it's stays "self defrosting" too long, stuff will freeze when it tries to catch up, and stuff will freeze into a block. Ya'know what can cause the defrost cycles to go foul? Lousy AC stabilty.... bouncing between 50-70 cycles and clocks run weird... that defrost computer chip is clock-based, running against the AC cycle.. (Not that I know anything about this stuff, you unnerstan?) I sure hope someone else drops in and 'splains this better! (Message edited by John_MC9 on July 12, 2009) | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 880 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.216.70.120  Rating: N/A |
Some units dump all the cold into the freezer , and use a shutter or fan to thermostatically control the temp in the food section. This might explain some of the behavior. FF | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 59.154.2.62 Rating: N/A |
"The new fridge is closed in the rear,whereas the old had open coils; therefore, the box in total is larger and the space to the rear is totally used up..in fact, the unit sticks out a bit more than the old one. The sides are about the same +-3/4 inch on each side. Never had a problem with the old unit. (don't ask why we replaced it) " Assume the condenser coil is mounted against the external skin and that acts as the heat dissipater. Since you have "used up" all the space at the rear and the sides are pretty snug too, how is the heat going to be transferred to the air? | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 313 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 75.198.254.152  Rating: N/A |
Tony hit it on the head... Your old refer had what was called a Static Condencer. Your new refer uses the external skin for heat transfer. After a few hours, the head presure in the system climbs so high that it stalls the compressor or kicks out the overload device. This will eventually kill the compressor. After sitting off to cool, everything will go back to normal until the electrical system fails for good. Good Luck Nick- | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 847 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.210.101.19 Rating: N/A |
Thanx folks...Ian included, for a laugh or two... So, Nick...what's a practical, possible solution, without replacing the unit...which I have already talked to the dealer about. Where there's a will, there is most usually a way. I can put vents in the side walls of the "closet" at the bottom and have plenty of room at the top for air to circulate, but not sure that would take care of the rear situation. I did note a lot of water had accumulated in the tray (in the back bottom of the unit). Happy Lord's Day everyone..(Exodus 20:8) RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 947 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.92.109 Rating: |
RC- I looked through the manual for the house fridge we have (in our house, of cuz).. They made the thing to fit tight against the wall, so that the usual amount of space for the "coil" is no longer needed. instead of the coil doing the work, the heater element does it, cycling through "defrost" cycles. Any "venting" is accomplished via the grill under the door front. No more than 1" back, and 3/8" top and sides, is needed, according to the manual I have here... I seriously doubt any others are different. If you're concerned that the venting of it is the problem, why don't you slide it out.... give it a try for a few days in a more open environment and running on the same power, before poking holes through your project? | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 379 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: N/A |
It almost sounds like the defrost cycle isn't working and once the coil ices up it blocks air flow | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 314 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.211.12.253 Rating: N/A |
RCB, Do you have any room on the sides? They usually only mount the condencer coils on the sides.. If so, even 1 inch on each side would give you enough room to disapate most of the heat. You just have to get the convection theroy going... Tim, if the defrost system didn't work, it would take 3 to 5 days to build up enough frost to restrict the air flow to the refrigerator section. RC can test this by exposing the defrost mechinizm and push a defrost cycle. At this point you will have to amp out the heater curcuits to see if they are drawing any current. Good Luck Nick- | ||
| Jerry W Campbell (Jerry_w_campbell)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_w_campbell Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 208.51.49.129  Rating: N/A |
Hi Chuck, I too replaced my old fridge with coils on the outside rear with a Magic Chef 10 cf no coils in the rear. It draws more power and must have at least 2" of space on the sides and back. It gets pretty hot sometimes. It just doesn't make much sense to me to wrap a refrigerator in a heating coil. Jerry | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 851 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.224.192 Rating: N/A |
I talked with the dealer today and they are "suspicious" of several things...not with me; with the fridge. I have done business with this guy over many years and "trust" him ...(there's something in the Bible regarding that... ) I'll keep you posted, but it might not happen in the next few days..  ...I know him. RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 948 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.82.15 Rating: N/A |
Remember to post the results to -this- thread, please? When answers and final solutions are posted to the same thread as the original question, it makes the archive so much more beneficial to others searhing for a remedy! | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 852 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.119.22 Rating: N/A |
Yeah, mannnn! RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 973 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.83.198 Rating: N/A |
So where's the results? | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 895 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.182.74 Rating: N/A |
JTNG...thanx for the "reminder"...no results...yet. I told the fellow who is doing the"work" that I was in no hurry since the coach is in the "paint shop".... I'm sure he will let me know...in his time. Thanx again, RCB | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 896 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.208.182.74 Rating: N/A |
Und...BTW...still am dwelling on the "air mover" approach..fan...the more I think about it, the better I like it. I do not, however, want to open a space in the skin (above or behind)to allow air movement. As it is, the fridge backs up to the A/C Plenum, (1/2 inch Foil, both sides)and with some ingenuity, might place a small fan thereabouts....about 1/2-3/4 inch on the sides...2 inches at the top. With some REAL expertise, might move more air both in the A/C and the space around the fridge.????? Comments? ideas? Coach is due back next week...also have a new Bus Port for it. Will post Pics if the BossNut gives a bit of a hand. RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 975 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.75.248 Rating: N/A |
Is a bottom vent impossible? What's under it? | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 897 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.83.214 Rating: N/A |
Hi, JTNG...Food for thought...hadn't even considered it, but, the A/C is located directly beneath it. Lotsa outside air coming in, but without venting thru the roof, not sure how that might be accomplished. Not willing to cut a hole in the top or side. I'll give that some brain time. Perhaps a small vent in the floor, and at the top of the fridge a "downdraft" tube affair direct to the underside of the coach...dunno. that could be a complex solution. C'mon John....let's have the "rest of the story".... Thanx John! What a board, huh? Thanx, AGAIN, Ian! RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 976 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.75.248 Rating: N/A |
Hmmm.... 'spose you could wire an "exhaust fan" to shoot the air down and out. If you wire it into the same circuit as the fridge compressor, it'll come on only when the fridge is running, right? The air "intake" can be the top front, front sides, or either side of the fridge compartment. Dunno' boss. I hated to puncture the roof also, and planned to vent through the side of the bus. But my kitchen was planned where my windows came out, and puncturing through a sealed-over window was more appealing to me than the roof, or otherwise unblemished OE side panel. (I wish I didn't sell it) Good luck! |
