mojo_norte
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Another old fridge problem
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a
day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about
5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on
propane. Any thoughts ?
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monoloco
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Have you tried cleaning the flue?
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mojo_norte
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Have you tried cleaning the flue? |
Have not tried that- thanks
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mojo_norte
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Have you tried cleaning the flue? |
how is this best done - pull the fridge and blow out w/ compressed air?
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monoloco
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A stiff brush like a bottle brush with a long handle works good.
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larryC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a
day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about
5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on
propane. Any thoughts ? |
When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer
box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there.
If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the
tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear
into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry
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mojo_norte
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| Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
| Quote: | Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a
day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about
5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on
propane. Any thoughts ? |
When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer
box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there.
If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the
tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear
into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry |
The upper tubes have ice. The inner fins have ice for the 1st few days and then it gradually stops cooling. I've tried tapping on the coils. I might
try 'burping' it as was suggested by someone - flipping it upside down over night. Might be new fridge time - but I like the size of this one - not
too big - not too small.
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Jim/Liisa
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Mine in My trailer in Mexico if the temp is above 90 deg and high humidity, the frezzer barely gets cold. I have heard that propain friges just don't
do well in hot hummide weather.
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woody with a view
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get a local guy to "fix" it. had a guy at BOLA tune up my fridge for 300 pesos when it wouldn't cool and it has been perfect since. prolly easier than
you know....
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mojo_norte
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
get a local guy to "fix" it. had a guy at BOLA tune up my fridge for 300 pesos when it wouldn't cool and it has been perfect since. prolly easier than
you know.... |
thanks - You're probably right. Deal with it when I get down there - new fridges are $$- more than the campers worth..
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larryC
Super Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mojo_norte
| Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
| Quote: | Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a
day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about
5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on
propane. Any thoughts ? |
When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer
box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there.
If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the
tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear
into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry |
The upper tubes have ice. The inner fins have ice for the 1st few days and then it gradually stops cooling. I've tried tapping on the coils. I might
try 'burping' it as was suggested by someone - flipping it upside down over night. Might be new fridge time - but I like the size of this one - not
too big - not too small. |
Bad sign, the coils on the back should not have any ice or cooling at all. This indicates a blockage and the blockage is probably right where the ice
starts on the coils in the back. Try tapping the coils right there. If you are able to break up the blockage then you will see the ice go away pretty
quickly. Be prepared to to kiss this refer goodbye, sounds like it is dieing on you.
Good luck with it.
Larry
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