Does Anyone Know About Refrigerators?

[007]

I mean once and for all, can you lay the damn things down when you transport them or not? What is in there that it will effect? Why or why not can't you lay one over?

I bought this huge, used Amana refrigerator for the shop because it was so clean inside and obviously a very nice frig. The only way I could move it was to slide it in the back of my truck bed laying down. Well I get it home, get it out of the truck, with help, get it in the garage, let it sit for a few hours before I plugged it in because that's what the guy said to do, finally plugged it in and it took right off and seemed to cool down right away. Now this morning I check it and it's not doing anything. So, did I fuck it up by laying it down to move it, or did this ass potato rip me off?

 

[RadiomanATL]

I mean once and for all, can you lay the damn things down when you transport them or not? What is in there that it will effect? Why or why not can't you lay one over?

I bought this huge, used Amana refrigerator for the shop because it was so clean inside and obviously a very nice frig. The only way I could move it was to slide it in the back of my truck bed laying down. Well I get it home, get it out of the truck, with help, get it in the garage, let it sit for a few hours before I plugged it in because that's what the guy said to do, finally plugged it in and it took right off and seemed to cool down right away. Now this morning I check it and it's not doing anything. So, did I fuck it up by laying it down to move it, or did this ass potato rip me off?

If you lay it on its side, the oil runs out of the compressor and into the refrigerant. If you have to transport a fridge on its side or back, you have to let it sit upright for a few hours before you plug it in, or else you can screw up the compressor. Now, it sounds like you let it sit, but it's also a used and older fridge, so its tolerances for being bounced around on its side are probably much lower.

 

[Xenophon]

You might have broken it in transport:

Will I damage my refrigerator if I transport it on its side? | Ask MetaFilter

 

[Ringel05]

I mean once and for all, can you lay the damn things down when you transport them or not? What is in there that it will effect? Why or why not can't you lay one over?

I bought this huge, used Amana refrigerator for the shop because it was so clean inside and obviously a very nice frig. The only way I could move it was to slide it in the back of my truck bed laying down. Well I get it home, get it out of the truck, with help, get it in the garage, let it sit for a few hours before I plugged it in because that's what the guy said to do, finally plugged it in and it took right off and seemed to cool down right away. Now this morning I check it and it's not doing anything. So, did I fuck it up by laying it down to move it, or did this ass potato rip me off?

I've laid them down for transport numerous times and never had a problem, (though I've been yelled at for doing it). You have to let it sit upright for at least a day afterwards to allow the coolant to settle. It's possible you burned up the cooling pump but it's also possible the fridge was on it's last legs any way.
One other very important question. Is the fridge not working at all, no lights, etc? If this is the case two things - check the breaker and #2 try a different outlet. Fridges draw a lot of current and ideally should be on a dedicated circuit.

 

[007]

I mean once and for all, can you lay the damn things down when you transport them or not? What is in there that it will effect? Why or why not can't you lay one over?

I bought this huge, used Amana refrigerator for the shop because it was so clean inside and obviously a very nice frig. The only way I could move it was to slide it in the back of my truck bed laying down. Well I get it home, get it out of the truck, with help, get it in the garage, let it sit for a few hours before I plugged it in because that's what the guy said to do, finally plugged it in and it took right off and seemed to cool down right away. Now this morning I check it and it's not doing anything. So, did I fuck it up by laying it down to move it, or did this ass potato rip me off?

I've laid them down for transport numerous times and never had a problem, (though I've been yelled at for doing it). You have to let it sit upright for at least a day afterwards to allow the coolant to settle. It's possible you burned up the cooling pump but it's also possible the fridge was on it's last legs any way.
One other very important question. Is the fridge not working at all, no lights, etc? If this is the case two things - check the breaker and #2 try a different outlet. Fridges draw a lot of current and ideally should be on a dedicated circuit.

Sorry I didn't clarify that... yes there's lights and the pump is running. Very quietly I might add. So the thermostat works, the pump works, but no cooling, and I let it sit for over five hours before I plugged it in.

Looks like I've been had. $100 down the drain.

Edit: Actually, it's too quite. The more I listen to it, it sounds like there's a fan running but no compressor. Well, it's nice enough that I think I'll have someone come over and take a look at it.

 

[slackjawed]

Sometimes, and I emphasize sometimes, when you lay one down or even bounce one around upright, the oil in the compressor runs up into the coils. Sometimes, emphasize sometimes, when you set it back upright some oil stays in the coils, creating a bubble. The pump will run and you get little or no cooling. The thing is, this oil is thick, and like most oils, cold temps make it thicker, usually.
I would suggest setting the fridge upright, unplugged, in a heated garage for a couple days. Maybe(emphasize maybe) the oil will run out of the coils and back into the pump. Try it again, it might work.
Also, jarring a fridge around can damage the thermostat control, or make it stick. When you turn the knob to adjust the temp, you should be able to hear little clicks, or even witness the compresser going on and off. The thermostat control is fairly inexpensive and does not require a license to change out as there is no chance of release of refridgerant.(sp)
If that doesn't work, it usually is cheaper to fix one than buy another. If this fridge runs, it probobly isn't a complete waste of 100 bucks. It might cost 50 to get it running. It is usually cheaper to load it up and take it to a repair shop to get it fixed than to have a repairman come out.
If you are handy and have a voltmeter, you can test the draw of the fridge at different times during it's cycle, and compare that with the manufactures data. If it draws significantly more (or less) that what Amana says it should, you have a problem. The problem can be replaced though.

 

[007]

Sometimes, and I emphasize sometimes, when you lay one down or even bounce one around upright, the oil in the compressor runs up into the coils. Sometimes, emphasize sometimes, when you set it back upright some oil stays in the coils, creating a bubble. The pump will run and you get little or no cooling. The thing is, this oil is thick, and like most oils, cold temps make it thicker, usually.
I would suggest setting the fridge upright, unplugged, in a heated garage for a couple days. Maybe(emphasize maybe) the oil will run out of the coils and back into the pump. Try it again, it might work.
Also, jarring a fridge around can damage the thermostat control, or make it stick. When you turn the knob to adjust the temp, you should be able to hear little clicks, or even witness the compresser going on and off. The thermostat control is fairly inexpensive and does not require a license to change out as there is no chance of release of refridgerant.(sp)
If that doesn't work, it usually is cheaper to fix one than buy another. If this fridge runs, it probobly isn't a complete waste of 100 bucks. It might cost 50 to get it running. It is usually cheaper to load it up and take it to a repair shop to get it fixed than to have a repairman come out.
If you are handy and have a voltmeter, you can test the draw of the fridge at different times during it's cycle, and compare that with the manufactures data. If it draws significantly more (or less) that what Amana says it should, you have a problem. The problem can be replaced though.

Yeah I'm giving it another break, (I let it sit for five hours before I plugged it in the first time), I have it unplugged. So if it doesn't start cooling after I plug it back in, (yes I can hear the thermostat clicking, but it doesn't appear the compressor is kicking in), then I'm going to have someone come out and look at it. The thing is massive. I had to take the doors and hinges off the frig and the house door off it's hinges to get it in here. Ain't goin' through that again. But it's worth it to get it fixed. It's an Amana, Energy Saver, very nicely built, heavy duty, all metal braced shelves with glass, everything adjustable, nothing broken, super clean, bottom freezer which I love, and did I mention it was HUGE? ...

 

[slackjawed]

huge huh, lol. Stock up my friend you might need it!
I would agree it is worth getting fixed. If the relay switch tripped that allows the actual flow of oil from the compressor, it would not cool. Sometimes it will reset. I had an old fridge in a store that wasn't working and we used it like that to keep night-crawlers for sale in. It sat about a week when one day I heard a loud clear click from the bottom of the fridge, and it started running and cooling.
I have also had experience with running a fridge from alternative power, ie; voltage inverters.
This causes problems because the inverter usually only puts out 50 cycles instead of 60, and causes the motor/compressor to overheat and shut down.
A fridge isn't real complicated, the intimidating thing is that to buy the recharge fluid, one needs a license.

 

[froggy]

The oil in the compressor can flow into the cooling lines when the refrigerator is tipped onto its side

 

[007]

The oil in the compressor can flow into the cooling lines when the refrigerator is tipped onto its side

No it can't. The cooling lines are sealed off and pressurized as a separate system. If they weren't, you'd have freon in the compressor oil even if it was standing upright. Just found that out speaking with an appliance repair man.

 

[slackjawed]

The oil in the compressor can flow into the cooling lines when the refrigerator is tipped onto its side

Thats right. Sometimes it will flow back down by itself. Sometimes it won't. Most of the time there is a electrical relay that opens a valve to admit pressure into the cooling coils. If the fridge is allowed to sit until the oil settles due to gravity, usually it causes no damage. If it is turned on while there is oil in the cooling coils, sometimes it causes a vapor lock, or it trips a relay, closing a one-way valve. If the valve is closed, simply turning it off and waiting, sometimes days, will fix it.
Also sometimes a thermostat, which is basically a coiled spring, can stick or break during transit. That can be user tested or repaired without a license.
If there is a vapor lock, the unit will likely need to be discharged, blown out to clear all lines, and then recharged. This requires a license.

 

[slackjawed]

The oil in the compressor can flow into the cooling lines when the refrigerator is tipped onto its side

No it can't. The cooling lines are sealed off and pressurized as a separate system. If they weren't, you'd have freon in the compressor oil even if it was standing upright. Just found that out speaking with an appliance repair man.

yep, there is usually a flap valve or bladder seperating them, except on the oldest ones. If your Amana is from 1925 you might have one of those.

 

[☭proletarian☭]

it depends on what refrigeration technology it uses

 

[slackjawed]

Good luck getting your fridge fixed-hope its a cheap fix.
When you get that elk (or deer) and run out of room in it, send some my way.

 

[slackjawed]

As a sidebar, a large fridge that doesn't work is easy to turn into a great smoker.

 

[Ringel05]

Don't know if this will help:

Amana Refrigerators Troubleshooting, Manuals & Repair by FixYa

Amana: Appliance Troubleshooting, Repairs, and Product Registration from Amana

 

[007]

Good luck getting your fridge fixed-hope its a cheap fix.
When you get that elk (or deer) and run out of room in it, send some my way.

Got a repairman coming over after the Packer game. He said laying it on it's side shouldn't have hurt it at all if I waited five hours before I ran it. He said some Amanas have had problems with relays and thinks that may be it. Hopefully it's something that simple and he can fix it on the spot. Nice frig. Definitely worth fixing. Probably cost over a grand new. This looks a lot like it, except the one I have has a door bottom freezer instead of a drawer.

 

[007]

Fixed. An hour, a relay, an over load protector and a new cooling fan later and it's working like new. Best part, living out in the sticks and finding someone close that will come out and work on it on a Sunday and not rape you. $84.35 was my bill. I'm pleased. I've got a beautiful, huge, super clean $1,500.00 refrigerator for $184.35.

 

[Ringel05]

Fixed. An hour, a relay, an over load protector and a new cooling fan later and it's working like new. Best part, living out in the sticks and finding someone close that will come out and work on it on a Sunday and not rape you. $84.35 was my bill. I'm pleased. I've got a beautiful, huge, super clean $1,500.00 refrigerator for $184.35.

Great deal! Glad it worked out.

 

[Article 15]

Does Anyone Know About Refrigerators?

Is yours running?