Chest Freezer not cooling

[arnobg]

My chest freezer has stopped cooling. Was working great for a batch last week, then raised the temp to condition bottles. Dropped the temp back down yesterday to start fermenting a batch and the temperature won't drop below 75F.

The stc1000 is working properly and the compressor is running non stop trying to cool but it just isn't. For a while the top back inside edge of the freezer was cold and sweating in just a small area but nowhere else.

Anyone have any ideas? I will mention that there was a small water spill the other day that ran under the freezer, just a big puddle on the ground. Could this have messed anything up?

 

[joe_four_strings]

If the compressor is running, then you may have a sealed system (freon) leak. That's what it sounds like. Make sure that it is running and not just vibrating trying to start, that would mean that maybe the starting relay or capacitor is bad.

 

[rekoob]

I would unplug it, if it's froze up or got some liquid where it shouldn't, leave it unplugged for a day (at least 24 hours) and then plug it back in (without the STC-1000 if it's not hard wired) and see if it cools.

I don't see the water under being a problem.

 

[bsdell]

I'm not an expert but it sounds like you leaked refrigerant out in the spot that you mentioned. I don't think the water spill hurt anything. A repair man could repair the leak but it would cost a lot. Taking it apart, repairing the leak, pulling a vacuum, adding refrigerant. Several hours of work. It may not hurt to have someone look at it though if it's worth it to you.

 

[arnobg]

Sorry guys I should have been more clear, the liquid on the floor wasn't from the freezer. I spilled a bunch of water from my wort chiller on the floor that puddled up and ran and sat under the freezer. It has wince dried up, the freezer is leak free. It may be a coincidence but it seems like it hasn't been cooling since them, but I can't tell because I just now tried to drop the temperature yesterday.

It sounds like it is running like it always does as far as being on/starting.

Of course it happens when I put a new batch in and am going out of town for 3 days.

 

[IslandLizard]

I feel your pain, I have a fairly new refrigerator with the same symptoms. Not sure why or what caused it.

I wish there was an easy way to find out whether there's a refrigerant leak or the compressor just doesn't work properly. But in either case, a repair is usually cost prohibitive in this day and age. For a repair man to drive up and attempt to fix your freezer you're easily in for $200, unless you know someone who's willing to take beer in return. Even if there's a leak it has to be accessible enough to repair it. For $200 you can get a brand new freezer. Or way less off Craigslist.

 

[arnobg]

I feel your pain, I have a fairly new refrigerator with the same symptoms. Not sure why or what caused it.

I wish there was an easy way to find out whether there's a refrigerant leak or the compressor just doesn't work properly. But in either case, a repair is usually cost prohibitive in this day and age. For a repair man to drive up and attempt to fix your freezer you're easily in for $200, unless you know someone who's willing to take beer in return. Even if there's a leak it has to be accessible enough to repair it. For $200 you can get a brand new freezer. Or way less off Craigslist.

Unfortunately Craigslist isn't very good in my area for finding chest freezers...In fact this one was purchased off Craigslist just about 2 months ago for $90..sucks.

Best Buy has a 7.0 on sale for $180. Might just end up doing that. Honestly I'm more mad about the Citra IPA I brewed yesterday being possibly ruined. Fermentation took off like crazy when I checked this morning and it smelled incredible, but the temp has raised to 75F in there overnight when it was set to 64F

 

[brewpool]

Unfortunately Craigslist isn't very good in my area for finding chest freezers...In fact this one was purchased off Craigslist just about 2 months ago for $90..sucks.

Best Buy has a 7.0 on sale for $180. Might just end up doing that. Honestly I'm more mad about the Citra IPA I brewed yesterday being possibly ruined. Fermentation took off like crazy when I checked this morning and it smelled incredible, but the temp has raised to 75F in there overnight when it was set to 64F

If you haven't left yet, I'd buy some big bags of ice and toss them in the freezer to help keep it cool. The freezer insulation will keep them from melting too quickly. May help get you through initial fermentation.

 

[arnobg]

If you haven't left yet, I'd buy some big bags of ice and toss them in the freezer to help keep it cool. The freezer insulation will keep them from melting too quickly. May help get you through initial fermentation.

Good idea I'll do it thanks for the tip. Shouldn't be am issue making it "too cold" right?

 

[brewpool]

Good idea I'll do it thanks for the tip. Shouldn't be am issue making it "too cold" right?

Without any airflow I wouldn't think it would be an issue and I'd probably prefer it being too cold as opposed to too hot. It may just slow down fermentation. Hope it turns out ok for you.

 

[arnobg]

Anyone have any ideas what the issue might be before I buy a new one? Seems like repair isn't worth it for the cost. $55 for someone just to look at it, only paid $90 for it.

The compressor is running and all sounds normal but it isn't cooling. Only gets cold in a few inch around around the back top rim.

 

[day_trippr]

From everything you've written so far, the most likely scenario is your freezer has lost virtually all of the refrigerant.

Sorry...

 

[IslandLizard]

Anyone have any ideas what the issue might be before I buy a new one? Seems like repair isn't worth it for the cost. $55 for someone just to look at it, only paid $90 for it.

The compressor is running and all sounds normal but it isn't cooling. Only gets cold in a few inch around around the back top rim.

It's not spending $55 on a $90 freezer. It's unlikely you can get it repaired under $150 if at all, which is much better spent on a new one that's guaranteed to work. Labor rates kill most of these kind of repairs. All in all, a sad case

From everything you've written so far, the most likely scenario is your freezer has lost virtually all of the refrigerant.

Sorry...

It certainly points to that.

 

[brewpool]

Hey, look on the bright side. Maybe you could convert it into a ginormous mash tun.

Too soon?

 

[arnobg]

Well appreciate the replies, I was thinking it would be more economical to buy a nice new one. Maybe this can be an excuse to get one a little bigger now

Odd that it may be refrigerant gone as there were no leaks or signs of leaks previously.

 

[IslandLizard]

Well appreciate the replies, I was thinking it would be more economical to buy a nice new one. Maybe this can be an excuse to get one a little bigger now

Odd that it may be refrigerant gone as there were no leaks or signs of leaks previously.

Same here. My fairly new, low usage top freezer fridge worked fine. Then after I moved it to our new home, it failed within a year, not getting cold anymore. It's in great shape, but useless otherwise.

I agree on getting a bigger one. For 2 or 3 fermentors perhaps?

If you have the space you could keep the old dud as an old fashioned ice box, or a warming box at times. Put a fan in it to recirculate the air. Or cut a hole where the compressor is and stick an air conditioner in it.

 

[ButcherBoy]

I do sealed system repairs on refrigerators and freezers. Sounds like a refrigerant leak or a bad compressor. For a leak repair figure a minimum of $400 IF the leak is accessible, it may not be. If the compressor is bad figure a minimum of $600 and could run to $800.

Time for a new freezer.

 

[IslandLizard]

I do sealed system repairs on refrigerators and freezers. Sounds like a refrigerant leak or a bad compressor. For a leak repair figure a minimum of $400 IF the leak is accessible, it may not be. If the compressor is bad figure a minimum of $600 and could run to $800.

Time for a new freezer.

Thanks for the confirmation!

Now you're talking about large commercial fridges and freezers right? The $10,000+ ones. Those are worth repairing, at a fraction of their replacement cost. The ones we buy, are not.

 

[TX_Brewing]

Mine did the same thing, not wanting to buy a new one I "fixed" it myself. I got a piercing valve from grainger, a single gauge hose, and a can of r-134a. All in for about $30. Added refrigerant on low pressure side watching gauge and it has been running well for almost 6 months. YMMV, but it works for me, for now.

 

[IslandLizard]

Mine did the same thing, not wanting to buy a new one I "fixed" it myself. I got a piercing valve from grainger, a single gauge hose, and a can of r-134a. All in for about $30. Added refrigerant on low pressure side watching gauge and it has been running well for almost 6 months. YMMV, but it works for me, for now.

So it may be a very, very small leak losing refrigerant and cooling capacity over many months, until it stop cooling altogether. I guess the compressor needs to run longer to keep up with the loss of cooling capacity over time.

Maybe not a bad compromise. Except for our ozone layer.

 

[TX_Brewing]

So it may be a very, very small leak losing refrigerant and cooling capacity over many months, until it stop cooling altogether. I guess the compressor needs to run longer to keep up with the loss of cooling capacity over time.

Maybe not a bad compromise. Except for our ozone layer.

If I was R-12, no way wouldn't have bothered, but R-134a doesn't deplete the ozone. AFAIK.

 

[arnobg]

I have a huge garage until I move in 15 months so I'll probably hold on to it as a secondary fermentation/bottle condition chamber. A little water in the bottom with ice packs has been keeping it around 66.

Looks like I'll buy a new one.