Fridge alone at home

'Frost free'

Yeh right, I've never met one that worked properly yet.

I think you are fine to switch it off...it's when you move 'em around you need to be carefull.

But I'm not a qualified fridgeologist and have no qualifications in cool since I lost most of my hair.....

Hi Hangwaiter,

I've worked in the "cool" business for a while. I don't like the long winded explanations, but ask your 'fridgologist' this quick one. "If they have to be running all the time, why are they not running in the stores where you buy them?"

What is the magic that makes people worry about the 'fridge'? Let me preach on it:

The refrigerant in the system has a tendency to mix with the oil in the compressor. Thus when you start up the fridge, the oil in the compressor is not where it should be and "damage to the compressor could occur." Yea, in the old days.

Today the manufacture does one of two things to fix this problem. The first is on larger compressors, they add a heater to the compressor. This heater does not need to get very hot, only about 80 deg. F and only for about 60 sec. to boil off the refrigerant from the oil. Then the compressor can start safely. The other way is to design the bearing to withstand the start up conditions, until the oil is hot enough to boil off the refrigerant.

When you move a fridge, you upset the oil and the refrigerant and mix them even more, but the above still applies. Some advise that after moving it, you let it set for 24 hours before starting, but I never did that and I've never had a problem.

Hope that helps, write back and let me know if you found this useful or if you think I'm full of it...

You can fill it with jugs of water and leave it on, it'll use relatively little electricity. Especially if you also leave the air conditioning on.

I guess, but why??

Just drop a quilt or moving blanket over it when you are going to leave (running of course).

The little energy used will be compensated for by no energy needed to get it back down "cold" when you return ............just don't block the compressor air circulation.

Low Tech...always ready...'n you can leave the ice cream in the freezer 'n the beer in the fridge.

No mate, turn the bugger off.

1 of 3 things are usually the cause of a fridge malfunctioning, as it's a sealed system. Electrical: - component failure or, more usually, scabby connections due to the environment. Mechanical: - pump failure or a break in the system (a leak). Modern fridges have synthetic oil in them, so don't worry about the mixing probs. Breaks in the system are usually down to moving the appliance, and I've never heard of a compressor wearing out, although they do occasionally burn the windings out.

If you only ran your car once a week, you would be upset if it wore out, right?

As a repairer of refrigeration equipment, I can say emphatically :turn it off- to save power, unnescesarycycling- & the equipment will last longer- this applies to all equipment in my opinion & experience- from motor cars, tv,s etc,etc,etc. Put it this way- you can,t have your cake & eat it too- ALL built-up equipment is subject to entropy, a major factor of which is use- the less you use something the longer it will last. The fridge/ freezer will not be harmed by standing unused, as long as it is under cover- however, before starting check the plug prongs are clean- if oxidised, can draw excessive current & can burn the motor out(ask me how I know this!).

"The fridge/ freezer will not be harmed by standing unused, as long as it is under cover-" And you have cleaned the interior(s) with baking soda solution and propped the door(s) open so that air can circulate lest you find either fridge/freezer has 'ripened' and has an unsavory odor on your return.

I noticed tomorrow a new type of starter for Fridge in my Fridge when it stopped & checked it: In stead of a "Starting Capacitor" between 2 windings of Compressor A seems to be "Thermister is used between Start & Run windings & no-Start-Capacitor. Any body can explain how it works?

The part is called a Positive Coefficent Temperature Resistor. It must be cold when the unit starts. When power is applied it has low resistance, delivering power to the start winding it is in series with. When the compressor starts the PCTR heats up, resistance goes high, limiting power to the start winding. Units using this type of start assist must have a long enough off cycle for the PCTR to cool. If you pull the plug, leave it unplugged for 10 or 15 minutes. -- JHF

Thanks & regards

Just don't leave your fridge ON...

It will invite all it's friends round...

Those 'white goods' are nothing but trouble once they get together.

I wouldn't trust a 4 slice toaster further than I could throw it.....

(Any one seen my medication?)