Troubleshooting a fridge/freezer problem.

martin57

Hi folks,

Further to an earlier thread I'm still trying to troubleshoot an zanussi frost free fridge/freezer problem.

The tray above the compressor at back is not evaporating the water that collects there and the service engineer says the compressor is possibility not getting hot enough.

Now I would be very grateful if someone could explain how this evaporating process works.

Obviously the fridge switches itself on when its not cold enough and the compressor at back will start to heat up.

Now if the fridge reaches the desired temperature before the compressor gets warm enough, how does the compressor get warm enough to evaporate the water in tray above compressor?

OR

Is there a cyle in fridge that perhaps happens once a day where the compressor is switched on for a good while so as to get it warm enough to evaporate the water?

Just trying to understand how it works so between myself and the service engineer we can solve the problem. He has stated that there is enough room for air to circulate around back of fridge, but to be honest I have a lingering doubt that the air circulation may well be the problem.

I don't want to cut off the unit beside fridge and pay a joiner up to £100 to do it, and maybe find that the problem remains.

Thanks very much for any help
Martin57

TimBuckTeeth

martin57 wrote: »

Is there a cycle in fridge that perhaps happens once a day where the compressor is switched on for a good while so as to get it warm enough to evaporate the water?

No, the water evaporates through normal operation. There is a defrost cycle that switches off the fans and uses a heater on the internal freezer panel to melt the frost, that produces the water, but does nothing to evaporate it.

Now if the fridge reaches the desired temperature before the compressor gets warm enough, how does the compressor get warm enough to evaporate the water in tray above compressor?

It doesn't. It could be that the room is too cold, most fridge freezers are rated for 15C minimum temperature, and the compressor is not running for long enough or often enough.

I assume the engineer has checked the tray is properly located on top of the compressor, but it is worth checking there is not a gap between them.

Possibly high humidity in the room and frequent opening of the door or a faulty door seal is causing excessive frost and water.

As you mentioned, lack of airflow could be slowing evaporation.

TimBuckTeeth

martin57 wrote: »

I have had the engineer out on 3 occasions he has said that its a heat transference problem as there is a space between tray and the compressor) you can easily push you hand in between them) He has also said its not an air circulation problem where the fridge is situated.

He contacted zanussi tech support and he told me that they are aware of the problem and he fitted a modified tray which he glued onto top of compressor. (only way of holding it in place)

That was october, but I noticed water on the floor at front of fridge again yestereday and evaporating tray was full up again and the tray itself has come loose, the adhesive was no longer holding it.

Just read the previous post. The tray has to be in direct contact with the compressor to get hot enough. Try a small dot of silicone sealant (as it is flexible and heat resistant) at either end to stick the tray to the compressor.

kwatt

Hi Tim,

The basic principle is explained here but, although that won't solve your particular problem it will let you understand the principles. If you read the ones on frost free in that section you'll understand a lot more.

All frost free refrigeration will run a defrost cycle for the freezer, often on domestic units that do not have forced or fanned air fridges then the auto defrost in the fridge will be the same as a bog standard falling air one. I'd need the model number and possibly PNC number from the rating plate to check that.

Water from the fridge should be minimal.

Biut, in essence the water is evaporated through the small amount of heat from the compressor and natural evaporation.

A defrost cycle will run on an 8, 12 or usually 24 hour cycle and that will produce some water. Much more than the fridge will but still not even anywhere close enough to fill the evap tray.

So, some guesses in the first place would be...

The fridge freezer is over freezing, too much ice equating to too much water.

Poor ventilation to the rear of the unit. That would not allow enough airflow to effectively evaporate the water.

Room too cold, again, not allowing natural evaporation.

Without knowing too much more but, assuming from your post that the unit is running down to temp okay then these would be the first things I'd be looking at.

Do poke about those articles though as they may well help as they are based on real world experience in service, not theoretical stuff.

HTH

K.

martin57

Thanks for all replies. The design of the tray on this zanussi fridge freezer is such that their is a space between the compressor and tray at least 25mm, The room is not cold probably 20 degrees. I can't see any other posts about it on internet so I take it is works fine for most people.

They fitted a modified tray to top of compressor but stll 80 days later tray full and water on floor at front of fridge, as well as that the tray had come undone from compressor some sort of white stuff holding it, not silicon but tray still remained in place ok.

Left hand side side of fridge is wall with about 25mm space between fridge and wall all the way from top of fridge to bottom of freezer, Right side of fridge is tight against the bottom kitchen unit but plenty of space from worktop to top of fridge.

There is a space of 100mm between top of unit and overhanging unit.

martin57

kwatt

Back to guess one then, too much water.

Why that is will be a process of investigation.

K.

greyteam1959

They obviously cannot rectify the problem with this unit.
Why not 'insist' that they replace the whole unit ??
Personnaly I would not carry on wasting time on the unit.