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There is condensation occurring near where the electrical wires enter the Refidgerator/Freezer in the back approximately 8 to 10 inches in diameter, centered on the electric wires channel and approximately 8 inches below where the wires enter into the fridg. The drain tubing has a little water around it on the evaporator pan. I am not sure if there is supposed to be more water than that. If that hose is plugged, can it be cleared by blowing compressed air through it.
I have a heat lamp concentrated on the condensation thinking that there is ice build up behind the panel that can be melted.
Any thoughts???
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[COLOR="Blue"]If that hose is plugged, can it be cleared by blowing compressed air through it.[/COLOR]
I would think there would be more water if it was plugged. Try pouring some water down it just be careful to not overflow the drip tray under the unit.
Yes it can be cleared with compressed air but set the compressor to a fairly low pressure.
Also warm water in a turkey baster works well.
It is a good idea to flush the tube witha 10% bleach solution. This should kill any crud growing in the tube and allow you to flush it out.
[COLOR="Blue"]I have a heat lamp concentrated on the condensation thinking that there is ice build up behind the panel that can be melted.[/COLOR]
This is hard to troubleshoot without actually being there so I am guessing.
It sounds like the unit uses fiberglass as insulation. The fiberglass has gotten wet and lost all it's insulating properties. You will have to remove the cover inside the freezer and try to see why moisture has contaminated the fiberglass. Perhaps the putty they use to seal around wires etc. is not sealing correctly.
Repairing this may be difficult because trying to dry fiberglass is nearly impossible and it is easier just to replace it but getting at it will probably be very difficult. |
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I checked the freezer behind the panel and the upper set of coils was touching the back panel. The back of the freezer were the wires goes into the freezer--the sealer material was not contacting the freezer in areas. I removed the silicone sealer thinking that I could unplug that connection and blow some warm air into the fiberglass insulation to try to dry it out. No success, I couldn't unplug the wires---did not want to force the issue and make more damage. Could it be that the coils that was touching the back panel inside the freezer be causing the cold condensation on the outside of the freezer?
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[COLOR="Blue"]Could it be that the coils that was touching the back panel inside the freezer be causing the cold condensation on the outside of the freezer?[/COLOR]
I would doubt this but am not sure.
More likely the loose silicone sealant let cold air get to the insulation and caused condensation. |
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I unpluged the freezer to let the insulation thaw out and got a lot of water out through the screw holes by blowing compressed air in. I could blow more warm air in if I can unplug those wires going into the back. Can that be done?
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[COLOR="Blue"]Can that be done?[/COLOR]
Sorry but I do not know.
i wish I was there because this sounds like it will be a pain to get the insulation dry.
i would probably resort to a jiggery pokery,
If there is some way you can pull the wet fiberglass out I would do that and then I would get a can of low expansion foam insulation and fill the void with that.
I am sort of clutching at straws here, hopefully someone else will jump in with a better solution. |
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When I blew the compressed air into the available holesI could see the back panels expand. There is a plastic plug to the left of the wires with some foam insulation on th edges. This leads me to believe that there isn't fiberglass insulation back there but instead there is foam. The panel doesn't compress when I push on it.
After I let the back defrost and I blew as much water out of the backas I could, the condensation doesn't seem as bad and is non exsistant as long as I have a fan blowing air on the back of the freezer.
Maybe I can do some brain picking from one of the Sears appliance repair guys.
I am led to believe that the condensation issue is a design flaw and has been there since day 1. If I can't get further info from Sears then we are left with 2 choices.
1. Live with the condensation issue
2. Buy a new more efficient Ref/Freez.
Thank you for all your help.
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It does sound like stryofoam insulation so it should still insulate even if it has been wet. I would not use the spray foam idea as it wll probably eat the styrofoam.
Perhaps you could get some plumbers putty or a similar sealant and seal up the back as best you can.
It may not totally fix the problem but should at least minimize it. |
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