Life is a CONSTANT stream of repair and upkeep isnt it? Thanks for giving us info on repairing fridge. I wonder though, why you thought or the troubleshoot method you used to determine it was the relay that was bad
Good question! I didn't go into depth on that. The first question is if the compressor has power from the thermostat. I didn't need to check that because I could hear the compressor attempt to start and fail when the self resetting thermal overload popped. So there was power and the thermostat (and defrost timer) was calling for cooling. Then the next question is whether the compressor is bad - either a shorted or open winding, or possibly seized. I measured the windings with my DVM meter and resistance was within band. At that point, the compressor could still be seized (which would be the end) or the start relay and overload could be bad. They are parts that are roughly between $25 and $100, and the compressor had just been running without any odd noises, so new relay was worth trying. I should add that this works with conventional single speed compressors. There are newer schemes with inverter driven compressors (and others) that have an entirely different diagnostic approach.
My electric clothes dryer is a Kenmore bought used by my dad in 1994, I think it was a couple years old, maybe older, I'm still using it and all I've ever had to do is replace a couple drum rollers.
Many of the older appliances were very reliable. Then global competition struck (much from China) that drive down pricing and made quality much more variable. Some are very good, but many don't last as long as the older ones. On the other hand, the newer ones are often more energy efficient and have more features.
Yes, you're right about energy. I generally come down on the side of efficiency, but sometimes keeping older, reliable equipment running comes out on top. I have family members that seem to be frequently replacing their newer fridges. Your comment did cause me to go back in my records and the official label old vs current is quite different. The old one is about 1100 Kw-h per year vs 400. In Michigan, it's probably $100 /yr. My old one has some optional heaters that have an economy switch. I have always run with that switch off, so it probably is less difference than that. As electricity keeps getting more expensive, it may be worth the change.
Life is a CONSTANT stream of repair and upkeep isnt it? Thanks for giving us info on repairing fridge. I wonder though, why you thought or the troubleshoot method you used to determine it was the relay that was bad
Good question! I didn't go into depth on that. The first question is if the compressor has power from the thermostat. I didn't need to check that because I could hear the compressor attempt to start and fail when the self resetting thermal overload popped. So there was power and the thermostat (and defrost timer) was calling for cooling. Then the next question is whether the compressor is bad - either a shorted or open winding, or possibly seized. I measured the windings with my DVM meter and resistance was within band. At that point, the compressor could still be seized (which would be the end) or the start relay and overload could be bad. They are parts that are roughly between $25 and $100, and the compressor had just been running without any odd noises, so new relay was worth trying.
I should add that this works with conventional single speed compressors. There are newer schemes with inverter driven compressors (and others) that have an entirely different diagnostic approach.
My electric clothes dryer is a Kenmore bought used by my dad in 1994, I think it was a couple years old, maybe older, I'm still using it and all I've ever had to do is replace a couple drum rollers.
Many of the older appliances were very reliable. Then global competition struck (much from China) that drive down pricing and made quality much more variable. Some are very good, but many don't last as long as the older ones. On the other hand, the newer ones are often more energy efficient and have more features.
@@bitsofwisdom460 Maybe I should upgrade and I have thought about it but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.
Fantastic fix. Only remaining problem on those old girls is they enjoy feeding on electricity with a harty appetite....
Yes, you're right about energy. I generally come down on the side of efficiency, but sometimes keeping older, reliable equipment running comes out on top. I have family members that seem to be frequently replacing their newer fridges.
Your comment did cause me to go back in my records and the official label old vs current is quite different. The old one is about 1100 Kw-h per year vs 400. In Michigan, it's probably $100 /yr. My old one has some optional heaters that have an economy switch. I have always run with that switch off, so it probably is less difference than that.
As electricity keeps getting more expensive, it may be worth the change.