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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 13:19 |
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I have a Sub Zero 561 Refrigerator that needs some help.
The freezer side is cold, but will not freeze bottles of water.
The refigerator side is warm.
What should I take apart first to start debugging this thing?
-ChrisAttachment: SubZero Fridge Inside.jpg (Downloaded 114 times)
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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 15:09 |
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Remove top front grill ( two or three fasteners, veiwed fromm below grill) Is the condenser fan operating? Is the condenser coils clean and clear? The condenser fan operating at the correct R.P.M.?
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 15:32 |
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From what I recall, the copper coils and the 2 verticle capsules (filters/driers?) are clean.
Where do I find the condenser fan? Do I have to take the back of the fridge off?
Attachment: SubZero Fridge.jpg (Downloaded 112 times) Last edited on Mon Apr 21st, 2008 15:33 by sushimaster
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RegUS_PatOff Fellow, Academy of Sublime Masters of Appliantology

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 16:18 |
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The condenser fan is by the compressors above the fridge side, you may be able to hear it
Depending on fridge serial number, the condenser fan should run all the time.
I have the Sub Zero 500 series service manual PDF that I could email to you 5 MB.
manual sent
Last edited on Mon Apr 21st, 2008 18:14 by RegUS_PatOff
____________________ RegUS_PatOff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPAY2LsKVEw
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 16:21 |
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The fridge sounds like it is running all of the time. I hear a humming sound continuously from it. I do not know if it is the condenser or the fan. I'll check it tonight.
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Cactus Bob Sublime Master of Appliantology

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 16:24 |
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CONDENSER FAN is on top there the coils are . if its running its at the correct speed ..... if i was going to guess . your low on freon for some reason the 561 gets low . if you have it topped off you get a year or two before its low again . the box is to old to be spending a lot of money on it ....i have a dozen or two i work on in my route and there all getting compressor failures and some have leaks ....... THERE JUST FALLING APART ! good luck on yours
____________________ SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING , I FIX GREAT , I DON'T SPELL WELL
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Mon Apr 21st, 2008 16:33 |
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Keep in mind this was "free" on Craiglist...it would be great to get it working on the cheap... the Cherry Doors are sweet!
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 13:13 |
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Here is the serial number information.
Attachment: Sub Zero Serial Number.JPG (Downloaded 104 times)
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Posted: Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 14:23 |
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That would be PDF page 146: condenser fan is wired directly, runs constantly
WIRING DIAGRAM & SCHEMATIC - 561
Madison/Phoenix Production From Serial #M816264/P725322 to #M/P1004775, Except Between #M965470 to #M965869 Last edited on Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 14:28 by RegUS_PatOff
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 14:48 |
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Condenser Coils: The entire top of the fridge was covered with dust. I cleaned most of it up. The coils had dust trapped everywhere. Also, whoever cleaned it previously crushed several of the aluminum fins.
Attachment: DSC01681.JPG (Downloaded 89 times) Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:42 by sushimaster
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 14:51 |
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*** VIEW IS FROM REAR OF UNIT ***
Condenser Fan: this appears to be working correctly. After monitoring it, it does not run constantly as originally thought.
Attachment: DSC01678.JPG (Downloaded 90 times) Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:44 by sushimaster
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 14:57 |
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*** VIEW IS FROM REAR OF UNIT ***
Left - Service Refrigerator Compressor: the Refrigerator Heat Exchanger (4250980) (copper line coming out and going into the fridge section) was slightly colder than lukewarm
Right - Service Freezer Compressor : the Freezer Heat Exchanger (94250990) was cold (copper line coming out and going into the freezer section)
Both compressors were running when I initially started the unit. From what I recall, both compressors ran. The freezer compressor turned off first. Then the refrigerator compressor. The fan continued to run for a while and then turned off.
Attachment: DSC01679.JPG (Downloaded 90 times) Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:51 by sushimaster
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:06 |
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I replaced Door Hinge w/Pin, Bottom LH (3540430) for the freezer size and tightened everything up so that the freezer door would operate properly.
I left the fridge running overnight. I put a piece of tape on the right switch in the refrigerator section. I was not sure it was being "turned on" when the door closed.
In the morning the freezer side was very cold, but nothing froze (1 Gallon of Milk, 1 quart OJ, 6 16oz bottles of water). I could hear and feel the air circulating in that section.
I put 3 bottles of 16 oz water in the top, middle, and bottom sections of the fridge and left it on "7". The fridge side was maybe slightly lower than room temparature in the morning. I could hear and feel the air circulating in that section.
I also noticed the piece of copper sticking out of the bottom of the fridge was cold to the touch.
What can I check next at this point? Do I need to get this system recharged with freon?
Attachment: DSC01682.JPG (Downloaded 89 times) Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:18 by sushimaster
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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:38 |
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The coils on top is the condensor coils..... The coils behind the rear panels is/are evaporator coils... Go to the the store and purchase two decent themometers , one for each side..You will need them to dial in the cold contols ...(plus to tell us the real temps.)You also said which compressor is which, but in the pic. can't if view is from the rear or the front. .....viewed from front freezer comp is on the left...... f.f. is on the right... .Remove the fresh food side rear panel and what do you see (when it's running at least over night) We are looking for a fuuly frosted evap... If low on refrigerant charge..the best would be a complete recharge. The leak will in the evap (Weak link in the system) You can change it easily done....Or you can install a can of ACR super seal after complete evac of the system. If you have a tank of dry nitrogen W/ gauges.. you can pressurize the system and start to look and listen for the leak(s).. repair ----- recharge-----Use appropriate refrigerant ( Freon is a trade name from ages ago) You can use R-414A to go in R-12 system ..... Just 80% of listed charge on data plate.... Keep us posted....
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:48 |
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I adjusted the previous posts with your edits/comments.
I'll get the thermometers tonight and continue debugging...
Thank you

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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 15:59 |
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| How many Grille Spring(s) (3450120) does the 561 use? I have one attached to the unit. I thought it used 2. Can someone confirm either way for me?
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 16:36 |
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How much refrigerant does the 561 hold?
Is R-414a the best option to refill/recharge the system? What about R-414b or R-134a ?
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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 16:49 |
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from PDF page 106 of the nice manual, left column, first entry:
MODEL 561
Prior To Serial # M/P1198140/P1213190
Prior to #M/P965470 and from #M/P965869 to #M/P1004775
Charge (R-12 Refrigerant)
Refrigerator Freezer
7.0 oz. 8.0 oz. Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 16:50 by RegUS_PatOff
____________________ RegUS_PatOff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPAY2LsKVEw
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 16:51 |
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Yes, that is for R-12. Do you use the same amounts for the other refrigerants (R-414a, R-414b, R-134a) ?
What if I seal the system first with the previously mentioned "ACR Super Seal"?
Do I add less refrigerant in that case?Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 20:04 by sushimaster
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sushimaster Apprentice Appliantologist

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Posted: Sat May 3rd, 2008 06:41 |
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| The refrigerator side has settled at 48 degrees Farenheight with a setting of 10. Attachment: DSC01705.JPG (Downloaded 35 times) Last edited on Mon May 5th, 2008 15:16 by sushimaster
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