You can repair the refrigerator with your own hands, but for this you need to have certain skills and knowledge. An important part of preparing for a repair is diagnostics, and for this you need to know how the refrigerator works. Let's try to figure out how the scheme of operation of this common household device is organized.
Refrigerator operation diagram
The refrigerator can be divided into three large parts. Failure of one unit makes the entire refrigerator inoperative, but does not affect the working condition of other elements. The freezer consists of an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor. The compressor includes a relay and a motor.
The system of work is closed in nature. The refrigerant is pumped out of the evaporator by a compressor and then fed under high pressure to the condenser. In the condenser, it undergoes cooling, which facilitates the transition from a gaseous state to a liquid, and then moves back to the evaporator, flowing naturally. So the work is repeated continuously.
Unlike other components, the compressor is not permanently switched on. It comes into operation on a signal from a temperature sensor when the temperature in the refrigerator exceeds the permissible norm. In this case, the relay drives the motor, as a result of which the compressor begins to perform its working function. When the temperature starts to comply with the norm, the relay is disconnected.
Compressor performance check
The first external sign of a malfunctioning compressor is an increase in temperature in the refrigerating chamber, up to its defrosting. Before proceeding with the repair of the compressor with your own hands, you need to figure out what exactly the malfunction of this device is. Getting to the compressor is not so easy - it is hermetically sealed with a casing where it is in oil.
Most compressors are similar in design. The main components are the motor and the starting relay. The relay closes when a signal from the sensor is received and starts the motor. If the motor does not start, the system will not function. In most cases, the problem when the compressor is not running is the motor. In such a situation, it is required to install a new motor, a little less often a complete replacement of the refrigerator compressor is needed. Let us examine the cases when it is easiest to repair and replace the refrigerator compressor.
Checking current and resistance
The cause of a malfunction may be a cable; it is not so rare that a banal break becomes a source of serious problems. Replacing the cable is the simplest situation when repairs may come in handy. In any case, before starting any work with your own hands, you need to check the current and resistance so as not to get injured.
To check the resistance, you need to find a place without paint or wipe it off a little with your own hands.Attach a multimeter to the contact and to the case, the device should not show any values, otherwise it is quite dangerous to continue repairing the refrigerator compressor with your own hands. When further working with the motor and starting relay, precautions should be taken.
To check the current, a working relay is needed, that is, before starting the tests, you must be sure of its operability. It is most convenient to check the current with a multimeter, where the contact is made with clamps. With a motor power of 140 W, the current is 1.3 Amperes. The ratio remains the same for other engine power ratings.
See also - Connecting the refrigerator compressor to a new device
Causes of malfunctions
All malfunctions in the operation of the device can be conditionally divided into two types. In the first case, everything works well at first glance, that is, the motor is humming, the light is on. The reason may be a refrigerant leak, it is quite easy to check it yourself. It is enough to touch the capacitor, it must be very hot. If refrigerant leaks, the condenser will be at room temperature. The second common reason is a breakdown of the thermostat, that is, the signal about an increase in temperature is simply not received.
If the refrigerator does not turn on at all, then in 20% of cases the problem is reduced to a motor breakdown. If the motor is working properly, but it is necessary to repair the refrigerator compressor with your own hands, you need to consistently check the main elements - the temperature sensor and the relay. Each device must be replaced if it breaks down. If everything works well, you need to change the compressor itself, we will tell you how to do it yourself.
How to replace a compressor?
To repair a compressor yourself, you need to prepare the appropriate tools:
- storage for freon;
- lancing and sampling valves;
- burner.
It is recommended to use an oxygen-propane burner. Now you need to disconnect the device from the electrical network, free it from food and boxes with grates, and then proceed with the repair work.
The compressor must be pulled out and lifted slightly and the filling pipe must be broken. The device starts up for five minutes, during which the freon completely passes into the condenser. A piercing valve is connected to which the hose from the cylinder is connected. The valve is unscrewed for 30 seconds, this time is enough to collect all the gas.
Instead of a filling pipe, it is necessary to solder a copper one, it is for these purposes that a burner is used, but you can also use a conventional soldering iron. Then an incision is made on the capillary expander a few centimeters long, then the tube breaks, and the filter is sealed off from the condenser.
Now you need to completely disconnect the compressor from the pipes (most often there are two of them - to build up pressure and suck out excess gas), that is, the compressor must be unsoldered. To install a new compressor, you must repeat all steps in reverse order. After all work, check that the relay is working. If the launch was successful, then everything was done correctly.
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terrible. thanks.
In short, no master wants to dig and announces such a price that it is better to buy a new refrigerator