compressor fridges

[Guest]

Apart from ditching the system does anyone have any good experience of these type of fridges. They are powerful and great if one keeps them turning.

The refrigerant leaks away if the compressor is left idle too long as it relies on an oil bath tokeep the refrigerant in. I suppose the best option is to put shutoff cocks on the compressor- any ideas ?

 

[rlw]

I purchased a 89 sunseeker portofino last year, still with it's original compressor fridge. It still works perfectly and seems to be very economical on power. I estimate the compressor runs approx 20-30% of the time.

Rob

 

[philip_stevens]

If the compressor is a self contained (motor and compressor unit) it should not leak away. If you are losing freon gas, you have a leak elsewhere. You need a refrigeration engineer with a proper leak tester to find the leak. If you have a gas leak detector, the flame should turn a different colour when it finds the leak.

A sealed system should not lose any gas - so you may have a leak somewhere. Domestic fridges are sealed systems, and usually lose gas during a "defrost" using a sharp metal tool!! Otherwise the gas charge should last the lifetime of the fridge.

If you have a system with a separate motor and compressor, yes, you can lose gas from the compressor drive shaft if the seal has worn. But a good seal should not lose any gas.

regards,
Philip

 

[Guest]

thank you Philip
The system is an engine driven compressor, the seal was replaced a few years ago. Fridge experts tell me that because the bearing relies on an oil seal,unless the shaft is rotated regularly, the oil drains away and the refrigerant seeps away. I have checked out the system with an electronic gas detector.

I still feel that the seal may need replacing that is if I can get a spare. The last one cost £ 40 !!

regards Tony Wardale.

 

[philip_stevens]

Yes, shaft lip-seals can leak. The shaft has to be scrupulously clean and corrosion free.

I was an electrical officer on containerships and had a lot of dealing with the fridge plants - used to cool the accommodation and refrigerated containers. As long as the shaft of the compressors were clean and corrosion free, there was neglible leakage. Note, I said negligable, as we did lose Freon gas over a long period of time. So much for the ozone layer, but food had to be kept cold or frozen - all the way from Aussie or Kiwi.

I can only commiserate on your problem.

regards,
Philip

regards,
Philip