- Joined
- Aug 6, 2014
- Messages
- 445
Recently I have been getting a few old fridges going. One little bar fridge wouldn't even get beer down to temp, so I pulled out the thermostat and proceeded to dismantle it. Using a small, good-quality screwdriver, I bent the tabs out and carefully dismantled it. Basically all a thermostat consists of is the sensor, which is sealed, and a spring-loaded switch. When the sensor gets hot the gas inside expands, pushing the spring-loaded switch past its centrepoint. Click- now its on.. I use a 9volt battery and the multi-meter to work out when it's on or off. As long as you don't crease or break the sensor-wire, it's only the mechanics that need adjusting. If you look carefully there will be 1,2,or 3 adjustment screws. 1&2 for pressure on and pressure off, and maybe another to adjust the contact points gap. Generally you can adjust them using the multi-meter/9v battery. Take note of the original adjustment before you start fiddling. As a rule-of-thumb, you can work out the on/off point by turning the knob/shaft to and from the off position. If your lucky and observant, you may not have to dismantle the thermostat at all. I turned the off screw right back, and now use it as an extra freezer.
The other day I got my Mums freezer working properly. It was running constantly, and I was going to order a new thermostat,($70 for the original, or $6.99 for a universal,generic China-brand) but before I did I pulled it out-it was mounted in the back and un-adjustable without dismantling-,sprayed it with crc and turned it right down(it was right up). Now it's working like a beaut, cutting out appropriately and still freezing good.
I am waiting for a refrigeration gas adaptor that I bought on ebay for $6.49 and will then attempt to gas up another old fridge with propane, otherwise known a refrigerant R600 (R600a or R290 are butane and mixes, from memory)-yes, it is used-Google it up if you don't believe me. It's more effective than cfc gas, environmentally friendly and safe. And you use about 1/3 by weight. But illegal in Qld...????
So you can throw out your old fridge and pay thousands for a replacement, or have a crack.
Cheers, and COLD,COLD beers.
The other day I got my Mums freezer working properly. It was running constantly, and I was going to order a new thermostat,($70 for the original, or $6.99 for a universal,generic China-brand) but before I did I pulled it out-it was mounted in the back and un-adjustable without dismantling-,sprayed it with crc and turned it right down(it was right up). Now it's working like a beaut, cutting out appropriately and still freezing good.
I am waiting for a refrigeration gas adaptor that I bought on ebay for $6.49 and will then attempt to gas up another old fridge with propane, otherwise known a refrigerant R600 (R600a or R290 are butane and mixes, from memory)-yes, it is used-Google it up if you don't believe me. It's more effective than cfc gas, environmentally friendly and safe. And you use about 1/3 by weight. But illegal in Qld...????
So you can throw out your old fridge and pay thousands for a replacement, or have a crack.
Cheers, and COLD,COLD beers.