BeardedIdiot
Well-Known Member
Yes, I've already done a ton of searching and reading on here about broken refrigerant lines.
The general consensus seems to be that its easier to just buy a new minifridge than to try to repair the broken one.
My issue is that I managed to break the refrigerant line right before it connects to the chilling element that is inside the freezer portion of the mini fridge. It is just a tiny little crack, and I'm sure I could solder or braze it closed no problem.
The problem for me is that this is an old Excellence fridge, that ran on R-12 refrigerant. I can buy 4oz off Amazon.com without needing a license/permit (apparently?). I have access to a lab grade vacuum pump at work, or I could buy one of the air compressor driven ones from harbor freight.
Another issue is there are no access valves on this mini-fridge, so I'd have to braze one in.
I guess my question is, is it worth the $40-50 it will take to get the supplies to get this working again, or should I just go buy another damn used mini fridge off craigslist to replace it with?
This really pisses me off, since I had gotten it take apart easily, and was just attaching it to the wall of my fermenter. Didn't even touch the part that broke, just all of a sudden there was refrigerant hissing.
The general consensus seems to be that its easier to just buy a new minifridge than to try to repair the broken one.
My issue is that I managed to break the refrigerant line right before it connects to the chilling element that is inside the freezer portion of the mini fridge. It is just a tiny little crack, and I'm sure I could solder or braze it closed no problem.
The problem for me is that this is an old Excellence fridge, that ran on R-12 refrigerant. I can buy 4oz off Amazon.com without needing a license/permit (apparently?). I have access to a lab grade vacuum pump at work, or I could buy one of the air compressor driven ones from harbor freight.
Another issue is there are no access valves on this mini-fridge, so I'd have to braze one in.
I guess my question is, is it worth the $40-50 it will take to get the supplies to get this working again, or should I just go buy another damn used mini fridge off craigslist to replace it with?
This really pisses me off, since I had gotten it take apart easily, and was just attaching it to the wall of my fermenter. Didn't even touch the part that broke, just all of a sudden there was refrigerant hissing.