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Condenser Fan Constantly Running Constantly SubZero 550 also DC Brushless Fan Conversion

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Posted: Tue May 25th, 2010 09:31 pm

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madeintaiwan
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Found a Subzero 550 Fridge freezer on CL for an amazing price...I think.

Got it home plugged it in and the condenser fan had not stopped running. The door gasket for the freezer (PN 701592) is no good and I knew that going into this. The current gasket is quite hard and the the upper right side will not come into contact with the freezer frame when the door is closed (the gap is probably 2-3 millimeters wide).

-Is it possible to heat the seal with a heater gun to soften that seal out for the moment until the new part comes in?-

So my best guess is that since there is cold freezer air leaking out of the gap then the freezer never gets to the right temperature and the compressor and fan continuously run? I'll have to double check but I think the compressor keeps going too. Is that somewhat/sort of correct? Will a replacement gasket fix that or does the condenser fan continuously run? If not the gasket is there another component that may be the culprit?

Secondly and more out there, I am a fuel cell systems engineer so I'm not terribly afraid of making some modifications, especially when things are unplugged. The AC condenser fan is pretty loud and we do not have the space to properly build the unit in, so I wanted to ask whether anyone had every switched the AC fans (which I need to find the CFM rating unless some kind soul has it) to brushless DC fans?

There will need to obviously be some changes made as there will need to be DC power and depending on whether or not the fans are meant to run continuously I have a couple solid state relays that could switch a DC load. The fans running together are far quieter than the big AC motor. It's really more a question of the airflow requirement of the heat exchanger/fridge in general. Tossing it out there.

Thanks

Nathaniel

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 03:34 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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madeintaiwan wrote:
... I think the compressor keeps going too...Will a replacement gasket fix that ...... If not the gasket is there another component that may be the culprit? ...

could be a Sealed System leak that causes it to not reach temperature.

depending on serial number:

Condenser Fan runs constantly.

newer models have a Relay that operate the Condenser Fan when either Compressor runs.

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 06:56 am

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madeintaiwan
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Serial # is M1053923.

Should the compressors and by proxy the fan ever shut off on this version of this model?

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 07:11 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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Compressors should shut off by each Cold Control, and

yes, that model has a "Dual Coil Relay" to control the Condenser Fan

SZ 500 series link PM'd

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 07:35 am

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madeintaiwan
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And if they dont shut off do you think it's a leaking sealed system or a bad relay since both the fridge part and freezer part are pretty cold (I touched the copper pipes up above and the nearest one towards the front and the heat exchanger are hot and there is one slightly cool line (but it's not terribly cold)). I've read the other post about looking at the back panel for frost pattern, is that the next step? Or do i get someone in to recharge and seal...?

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 08:23 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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The Relay only controls the Condenser Fan.

The Compressors are controlled by each Cold Control.

Frost pattern on each Evaporator will tell a stiry.

Recharge, maybe, but may need to replace the (known weak) Evaporator.

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 03:52 pm

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madeintaiwan
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may need to replace the (known weak) Evaporator

According to the PDF manual you kind linked yesterday I'm assuming the evaporator is PN 3130270 the Evaporator Coil? And do both the freezer coil and the fridge coil usually need replacing or should i be looking at a different part.

What happens typically? Order the replacement parts and some tech comes out and installs and recharges the 134a? Or is this more a DIY job?

Thanks so much RegUS_PatOff you are incredibly helpful

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Posted: Wed May 26th, 2010 05:50 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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definitely not DIY

call service and ask for estimate.. they'll get the required parts

only the system (Fridge or Freezer) that's bad.

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Posted: Tue Jun 15th, 2010 05:39 pm

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madeintaiwan
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RegUS_PatOff wrote:
definitely not DIY

call service and ask for estimate.. they'll get the required parts

only the system (Fridge or Freezer) that's bad.

Just got a quote from a guy, 1000 bucks for replacement of Freon, and parts. Seems quite high?

Thanks

Nate

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Posted: Tue Jun 15th, 2010 07:05 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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I don't know on that model, but most SZ's have a 12yr Sealed System parts warranty

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Posted: Tue Jun 15th, 2010 07:55 pm

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madeintaiwan
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RegUS_PatOff wrote:
I don't know on that model, but most SZ's have a 12yr Sealed System parts warranty

Unfortunately its a 93 fridge (guess I read the label wrong) so it is out of warranty. I'll have to find a guy to come out and do the repairs. Can anyone recommend someone in LA who wont rip me off?

Thanks

Nate

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Posted: Mon Jul 19th, 2010 11:35 pm

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madeintaiwan
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So after the same guy came twice (after calling two different companies and my wife had to pay the guy 10 bucks just to leave the second time) to get a quote on repairs we finally found another repair shop that quoted us 550 to:

-replace the defrost timer

-replace the "illegible" central thermostat

-clean condenser coils

-charge freon

Does that sound like a reasonable solution?

Best

Nathaniel

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Posted: Mon Jul 19th, 2010 11:53 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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I'm not a Sealed Sytem repair-man, but I think that's high..

that may get you a few years (or less)

The Evaporator Coil is prone to leak on SZ's.

for another hundred or two, you could get that replaced along with those parts (from someoen else)

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Posted: Tue Jul 20th, 2010 11:56 pm

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
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If you want to try having a go at it yourself, the info on this page will get you going. At least it'll give you an idea of what's involved:

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2007/11/29/the-complete-diy-refrigerator-repair-reference/

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