[croy1021]

Defrost cycle stays on too long.

[denman]

What is too long?

Defrost on this unit should be about 25 minutes.

[croy1021]

The year of the unit is 1993. I have not timed the defrost cycle but it is on long enough to melt the ice cubes. It seems to only happen in the summer when the Power Saver/Moisture setting is on the moisture setting.

[denman]

When I read your reply I thought this will be easy but then I read the last line and that threw a monkey wrench into it.

The way defrost works is that every 6 hours [depends if the timer is wired for continuous or cumulative (compressor on time)] a 25 minute defrost cycle is started. Defrost time is set but the defrost thermostat shuts the heater off once the ice/frost has melted. It opens just above freezing.

So melting ice cubes could be due to a bad defrost thermostat.
Problem is that it also is related to the ambient temperature/humidity and a thermostat problem should not be affected by this.

I would start by checking the freezer temperature. It should be between 0 and 5 degrees F.
Check that the condenser coils under the unit are clean.
Check that the vents in the kick plate and rear cover are clean.
Check that the condenser/compressor fan is on whenever the compressor is on. Also that the fan blade is clean.
Check the door seals.