Vitrifrigo issues

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

After the tech put the new tube in, did he put a vacuum pump on the system for a goodly amount of time before adding the refrigerant?
Was the refrigerant measured in as by weight?

He put on some form of a pump on there.. for about 10 minutes... and then after that he added the gas. Don’t know if he weighed it to be honest. I know the “double pump” had 2 screens with numbers? My guess the pressure and all that?

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Sailor L

He put on some form of a pump on there.. for about 10 minutes... and then after that he added the gas. Don’t know if he weighed it to be honest. I know the “double pump” had 2 screens with numbers? My guess the pressure and all that?

"10 minutes"? good grief, it should have been on for at least the time it would take him for a decent lunch break.
The refrigeration oil in the compressor/system is hydroscopic, the vacuum pump isn't just to get the air out, (non-condensable,) it's to "boil out" all the moisture that gets in a system when it's been open, especially since the oil absorbs moisture.
Charging by pressure on little cap-tube systems is always kind of a hit-or-miss operation.
Graduated "charging cylinders" are generally used for the few ounces that those systems hold.

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by Sailingallday

Replace the thermostat

The symptoms you describe are very similar to what happened with mine. Intermittent working, sweating etc. had three different techs look at it over five months. Each one thought they had it and it would work fine for two weeks and then be a problem again. Final one said it was a thermostat issue, replaced it, been fine ever since

oke ill try to replace the thermostat first before i have another tech look at it. You got any clue on how to do it? and a good thermostat for me aswell?

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

"10 minutes"? good grief, it should have been on for at least the time it would take him for a decent lunch break.
The refrigeration oil in the compressor/system is hydroscopic, the vacuum pump isn't just to get the air out, (non-condensable,) it's to "boil out" all the moisture that gets in a system when it's been open, especially since the oil absorbs moisture.
Charging by pressure on little cap-tube systems is always kind of a hit-or-miss operation.
Graduated "charging cylinders" are generally used for the few ounces that those systems hold.

Oke oke. So basically he didnt do such a good job? Someone else suggested to change the thermostat, see if that helps. If not ill call in another techie..

[Sailor L]

Alright next update for those who are interested and want to help.

New tech guy came in. He measured the fridge. No leaks, it was even over filled(to much gas). He let a little bit out. Then he measured the control unit and said that that one was broken. It’s an 101n0220. Order a new one online, got an 101n0510, said it should work it my bd50f compressor but doesn’t, when I hook it up it won’t start. Send it back. About to order a new one but thought I do my story here first.

The tech guy left, so I thought I’d clean up the “broken” control unit with some electrical spray cleaning stuff. Hooked it back up, and it started up the compressor and it works. Sort of. At the moment the compressor is running 24/7 instead of in intervals. The fridge is freezing like mad. Like proper cold. The fridge however is only a little bit cold. Now I noticed that the pipe from fridge to freezer is frozen, ice is forming on the little white pipe on the outside.

1: Now I’m thinking either the compressor is running 24/7 cause the pipe is frozen and the fridge isn’t getting cool so I thinks it’s needs to keep running.
2: the compressor is running 24/7 cause of the broken electrical unit. Cause the fridge to freeze and the pipe to freeze.
3: broken thermostat? Causing the compressor to keep running?

Symptoms: compressor running 24/7. Freezer works good!! Fridge is only a little bit cold. What now…?

[bgallinger]

I see lots of comments suggesting a call to a refrigeration specialist. That's a great idea, but only if you can find one! Heating and cooling issues are different from electrical, plumbing or mechanical problems.

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by bgallinger

I see lots of comments suggesting a call to a refrigeration specialist. That's a great idea, but only if you can find one! Heating and cooling issues are different from electrical, plumbing or mechanical problems.

A fridge specialist came by. Told me the electrical unit was failing. So like I said, ordering a new one. But just wondering if others had the same issues or recognise something else maybe. Like a failing thermostat. Asking for second opinions and just trying to understand in general what is happening.. 😊

[Tupaia]

DO you have 2 cooling plates fridge / freezer ??

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

DO you have 2 cooling plates fridge / freezer ??

I think so, there is one white pipe going up the back of the fridge into the freezer, then comes out again and moves back into the fridge and then comes out and his back down to the compressor. Although I can clearly see the cooling plate in the fridge I can’t clearly see it in the freezer. But I guess it’s there underneath the box..?

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Sailor L

I think so, there is one white pipe going up the back of the fridge into the freezer, then comes out again and moves back into the fridge and then comes out and his back down to the compressor. Although I can clearly see the cooling plate in the fridge I can’t clearly see it in the freezer. But I guess it’s there underneath the box..?

Weird - most fridge freezer set ups have either 2 compressors, 2 plates and 2 thermostats one for each completely separate unit, or 1 compressor and 1 plate that is in the freezer, cool air only from the freezer is used to keep the fridge cool and the whole thing runs on the thermostat in the freezer compartment.


There is a larger pipe and a capillary that connects to the evaporator plate. sometimes the capillary is inside the the larger tube. When the problem reoccurs try heating this point with a hair dryer and see if it clears. The following ONLY applies if this clears the problem. If it does then it is likely there is oil in the refrigeration circuit that must be removed by vacuum pump (over night or 24 hours). First get a techie to replace the drier usually an inadequate bullet style one with a larger one. If the problem goes a way but subsequently returns it is likely the seals in the compressor are bad and a replacement is needed. Because of the oil contamination the system will need to be sucked down again before fitting a new compressor.

[s/v Jedi]

I would have ordered a new unit en be done with it.

[Sailor L]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I would have ordered a new unit en be done with it.

A new control unit? Yeah looking into that. Today however. We lowered the temp from 6 to 3.. and compressor actually turned itself off. Then we put the fridge back in its “confinement”. Now when I put it from 6 to 3 or even 1 for that matter (7 being the coldest it can go and 1 the “warmest”) it doesn’t turn itself off anymore haha. Nothing changed, only the location of the fridge. Weird..

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Sailor L

A new control unit? Yeah looking into that. Today however. We lowered the temp from 6 to 3.. and compressor actually turned itself off. Then we put the fridge back in its “confinement”. Now when I put it from 6 to 3 or even 1 for that matter (7 being the coldest it can go and 1 the “warmest”) it doesn’t turn itself off anymore haha. Nothing changed, only the location of the fridge. Weird..

No, I would have ordered a new fridge or when you have a converted icebox, a new refrigeration unit with everything that comes with it.

There is no end in sight on the path of hurt you’re walking…