Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

After having repaired the leak in the tubing that joined the copper tubing
from the compressor to the aluminum tubing from the evaporator with liberal
usage of high-quality self-stick (no adhesive) rubber electrical tape, my
refrigerator has been functioning normally for over a year. It's been doing a
great job keeping my beer, wine and perishable produce fresh.

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt. Then it will cycle off and then back on and do the same thing over and
over. Sometimes it will work for a minute, sometimes five minutes sometimes
ten and then back to a minute. No rhyme or reason to it. Needless to say the
box doesn't get as cold as it should be getting. Almost the same symptoms as
would be the case if it had too much gas pressure to contend with. I checked
the pressure of the refrigerant several time and it has remained at the
correct specs. (at least there are no leaks)

What next? I did notice that the spade connectors at the yellow (ground) and
red (positive) leads to the control box unit got hot at times if I touched
them. Arching perhaps and losing the required voltage to the rest of the unit
so the diagnostic unit sensed low voltage and shut down the compressor? Maybe
so.

So I just turned it off at the breaker and pulled the spade connections. I
squeezed the female spade connectors (on the wires) together a little tighter
and plugged them back in. They slid on hard while they had slid off quite
easy. Perhaps the vibration over the years wore the female and male spade
connectors enough that they got loose and were commencing to arc and/or make a
poor connection?

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody else who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.


--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


After having repaired the leak in the tubing that joined the copper tubing
from the compressor to the aluminum tubing from the evaporator with liberal
usage of high-quality self-stick (no adhesive) rubber electrical tape, my
refrigerator has been functioning normally for over a year. It's been doing a
great job keeping my beer, wine and perishable produce fresh.

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt. Then it will cycle off and then back on and do the same thing over and
over. Sometimes it will work for a minute, sometimes five minutes sometimes
ten and then back to a minute. No rhyme or reason to it. Needless to say the
box doesn't get as cold as it should be getting. Almost the same symptoms as
would be the case if it had too much gas pressure to contend with. I checked
the pressure of the refrigerant several time and it has remained at the
correct specs. (at least there are no leaks)

What next? I did notice that the spade connectors at the yellow (ground) and
red (positive) leads to the control box unit got hot at times if I touched
them. Arching perhaps and losing the required voltage to the rest of the unit
so the diagnostic unit sensed low voltage and shut down the compressor? Maybe
so.

So I just turned it off at the breaker and pulled the spade connections. I
squeezed the female spade connectors (on the wires) together a little tighter
and plugged them back in. They slid on hard while they had slid off quite
easy. Perhaps the vibration over the years wore the female and male spade
connectors enough that they got loose and were commencing to arc and/or make a
poor connection?

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody else who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


....

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody else who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:21:44 -0500, Marc Auslander
wrote:

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


...

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody else who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Years ago, in the Apple II days, I used to "fix" computers by pulling
the cards out and pressing them back in a couple of times. Sort of
scratched the corrosion off I guess. A really serious defect was
sometimes cured by rubbing a rubber eraser across the contacts.
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:28:34 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

In article ,
says...


On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:21:44 -0500, Marc Auslander
wrote:

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


...

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a
beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody else
who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Years ago, in the Apple II days, I used to "fix" computers by pulling
the cards out and pressing them back in a couple of times. Sort of
scratched the corrosion off I guess. A really serious defect was
sometimes cured by rubbing a rubber eraser across the contacts.
--
Cheers,
Bruce
Back in the days of my TRS-80 computer, when it started getting flaky, pull
all the cables and wipe the male connectors with a red rubber pencil erases.
Worked great.

As for the fridge, did you evacuate all the cooland and recharge? You could
have water vapor in there.

That was someone else fixing the fridge.

But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:13 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?


Capt. Neal don't need no stinking electricity... he relies on his
sails.

--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:28:34 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

In article ,
says...


On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:21:44 -0500, Marc Auslander
wrote:

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


...

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a
beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody
else
who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Years ago, in the Apple II days, I used to "fix" computers by pulling
the cards out and pressing them back in a couple of times. Sort of
scratched the corrosion off I guess. A really serious defect was
sometimes cured by rubbing a rubber eraser across the contacts.
--
Cheers,
Bruce
Back in the days of my TRS-80 computer, when it started getting flaky, pull
all the cables and wipe the male connectors with a red rubber pencil erases.
Worked great.

As for the fridge, did you evacuate all the cooland and recharge? You could
have water vapor in there.

That was someone else fixing the fridge.

But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)


Americans tend to believe the old adage that if a little is
good, a lot is better and too much is just right.

Respecting drawing a vacuum in a refrigeration system,
it can't possibly matter how long the vacuum is in place.
One minute is as good as one hour. In a vacuum one
draws out molecules. As many water molecules will be
drawn out in a vacuum held for one minute as for one hour.

American's also believe in ripping off the customer. If a
service technician can charge you and extra hour labor
while he sits and twiddles his thumbs or smokes cigarettes
he will do so.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?




200 watts of photovoltaics charge the batteries (four deep cycle/marine,
Autocraft brand size 24)

No noisy wind generators for this sailor. I think they are rude, crude and
socially unacceptable. There are few things I hate more than the asshole who
anchors right upwind and runs one of those noisy wind generators 24/7. What
do *I* get out of it other than bothersome noise? What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much bigger asshole
who runs a diesel generator. The diesel generator not only produces noise but
health-harming fumes.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:13 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about
a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?


Capt. Neal don't need no stinking electricity... he relies on his
sails.


Sorry, Bruce, but I rely on the same thing that produces the wind
for my sails - the sun. Unlike you, I don't plug into the grid. You
lubbers who like to go around yelling about mankind causing
global warming are, for the most part, hypocrites. Only those
living off the grid who practice what they preach are deserving
of my respect.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much bigger asshole
who runs a diesel generator.

===

Both of my diesel generators are quieter than a wind generator and
*much* quieter than the obnoxious little Hondas that some of your
sailing buddies are fond of. Quite a few of your sailing buddies also
run their diesel aux at fast idle to charge their batteries. That
makes more noise and fumes than a good generator.

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much bigger asshole
who runs a diesel generator.

===

Both of my diesel generators are quieter than a wind generator and
*much* quieter than the obnoxious little Hondas that some of your
sailing buddies are fond of. Quite a few of your sailing buddies also
run their diesel aux at fast idle to charge their batteries. That
makes more noise and fumes than a good generator.




Granted, a proper, inboard diesel generator is mighty quite.
A little splashing is about all one can hear and that's when
there is no wind and wave action. The exhaust fumes, however,
are the real problem. Why is it that those who run diesel
generators always "treat" the entire downwind anchorage
to their fumes? Why is it they can't be considerate of the safe
breathing of those who are out there because they wish to
breathe fresh air. Why can't they anchor DOWNWIND of
everybody?

Enquiring minds wish to know because the only answer
I can ever come up with is it's because they are rude,
inconsiderate, self-centered and couldn't care less what
pollution they force other people to breathe. After all, the
entire world is required to revolve around them and their
desire to watch TV, run hair dryers, microwave ovens,
air conditioning, etc.

STAY THE **** HOME if you can't live without all that crap!

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:09:45 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
Ã¥ke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .


But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)


Americans tend to believe the old adage that if a little is
good, a lot is better and too much is just right.

Respecting drawing a vacuum in a refrigeration system,
it can't possibly matter how long the vacuum is in place.
One minute is as good as one hour. In a vacuum one
draws out molecules. As many water molecules will be
drawn out in a vacuum held for one minute as for one hour.

American's also believe in ripping off the customer. If a
service technician can charge you and extra hour labor
while he sits and twiddles his thumbs or smokes cigarettes
he will do so.

Here's basically how it works. A "decent" electric vacuum pump is
capable of pulling down to about 200 microns.
The pump comes equipped with the standard vacuum gauge, which in the
U.S. is measuring inches of mercury vacuum. inHG.
Not accurate enough to measure microns. It will be bottomed when
there's still more vacuum to be had.
But a decent micron measuring gauge cost twice as much as the evac
pump. A good HVAC guy buys one.
Typically refrigeration specs call for evac no higher than 500
microns.
Since the evac pump has to work harder and takes longer to draw down
those last microns, let's say from 10000 down to 500, but the inHG
gauge needle has stopped moving, you let the pump run on for a while.
It could take the pump 10 minutes to bottom the inHG gauge, and
another half hour to actually reach 500 microns vacuum, which is what
indicates an acceptable amount of moisture has been boiled off.
Some people - like me - can "guess" by the sound of the pump when it
has stopped pulling vacuum. But without an accurate micron gauge,
it's really just guessing in the end. I usually end up letting the
pump run about 5-10 minutes after both the gauge is bottomed and
there's no tonal sound difference from the pump. But without the
micron gauge, it's voodoo anyway. I don't sweat it.
I've read that pros with micron gauges sometimes have to run the pump
for hours to get down to 500 microns. I can buy that.
In the past I've repaired my R-12 auto A/C's with no evac, and run
them for years after.
I started maintaining family cars with R134 some years ago, and wanted
to treat them better than I did my old cars. So since one of my kids
is a mech and they had an air-operated vacuum pump in his garage, I
had him do evacs at work a couple times. That was a hassle for him
and me because of timing. So I looked into buying a vacuum pump.
First thing I found is air operated vacuum pumps are plain incapable
of achieving 500 micron vacuum. Lucky to even reach 2000 microns.
And that's with a high capacity air compressor running a looong time.
So I bought a mid-level Mastercool electric.
About 120 bucks and about 30 for a couple quarts of oil, which is
important maintenance on a vacuum pump.

Now the other main part is about maintaining vacuum. That doesn't
require running the pump, but does require time. I usually let the
system set for 2-8 hours with the pump off and isolated when I'm done
pulling vacuum and before I charge. Depends on how lucky I feel.
That's to see if the system has a leak.
Again, that's mostly voodoo without a micron gauge hooked up.
The last time I maintained vacuum on the inHG for a couple hours,
after replacing the compressor and dryer, Gauge never moved.
I still lost R134 from a very small condenser leak, and a year later
the car stopped cooling.
Supposedly a micron gauge would have picked up that leak because of
its sensitivity.
But I might be wrong about that, and the condenser wasn't leaking when
I tested leakdown. No way for me to prove the timing of events.
Anyway, having your own electric evac pump and a gauge set is a good
idea for the DIY car or boat guy. Inexpensive enough to pay off the
investment. A micron gauge is kinda stretching it, and I don't plan
on buying one. I don't mind a little voodoo.

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:09:45 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
. ..


But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)


Americans tend to believe the old adage that if a little is
good, a lot is better and too much is just right.

Respecting drawing a vacuum in a refrigeration system,
it can't possibly matter how long the vacuum is in place.
One minute is as good as one hour. In a vacuum one
draws out molecules. As many water molecules will be
drawn out in a vacuum held for one minute as for one hour.

American's also believe in ripping off the customer. If a
service technician can charge you and extra hour labor
while he sits and twiddles his thumbs or smokes cigarettes
he will do so.

Here's basically how it works. A "decent" electric vacuum pump is
capable of pulling down to about 200 microns.
The pump comes equipped with the standard vacuum gauge, which in the
U.S. is measuring inches of mercury vacuum. inHG.
Not accurate enough to measure microns. It will be bottomed when
there's still more vacuum to be had.
But a decent micron measuring gauge cost twice as much as the evac
pump. A good HVAC guy buys one.
Typically refrigeration specs call for evac no higher than 500
microns.
Since the evac pump has to work harder and takes longer to draw down
those last microns, let's say from 10000 down to 500, but the inHG
gauge needle has stopped moving, you let the pump run on for a while.
It could take the pump 10 minutes to bottom the inHG gauge, and
another half hour to actually reach 500 microns vacuum, which is what
indicates an acceptable amount of moisture has been boiled off.
Some people - like me - can "guess" by the sound of the pump when it
has stopped pulling vacuum. But without an accurate micron gauge,
it's really just guessing in the end. I usually end up letting the
pump run about 5-10 minutes after both the gauge is bottomed and
there's no tonal sound difference from the pump. But without the
micron gauge, it's voodoo anyway. I don't sweat it.
I've read that pros with micron gauges sometimes have to run the pump
for hours to get down to 500 microns. I can buy that.
In the past I've repaired my R-12 auto A/C's with no evac, and run
them for years after.
I started maintaining family cars with R134 some years ago, and wanted
to treat them better than I did my old cars. So since one of my kids
is a mech and they had an air-operated vacuum pump in his garage, I
had him do evacs at work a couple times. That was a hassle for him
and me because of timing. So I looked into buying a vacuum pump.
First thing I found is air operated vacuum pumps are plain incapable
of achieving 500 micron vacuum. Lucky to even reach 2000 microns.
And that's with a high capacity air compressor running a looong time.
So I bought a mid-level Mastercool electric.
About 120 bucks and about 30 for a couple quarts of oil, which is
important maintenance on a vacuum pump.

Now the other main part is about maintaining vacuum. That doesn't
require running the pump, but does require time. I usually let the
system set for 2-8 hours with the pump off and isolated when I'm done
pulling vacuum and before I charge. Depends on how lucky I feel.
That's to see if the system has a leak.
Again, that's mostly voodoo without a micron gauge hooked up.
The last time I maintained vacuum on the inHG for a couple hours,
after replacing the compressor and dryer, Gauge never moved.
I still lost R134 from a very small condenser leak, and a year later
the car stopped cooling.
Supposedly a micron gauge would have picked up that leak because of
its sensitivity.
But I might be wrong about that, and the condenser wasn't leaking when
I tested leakdown. No way for me to prove the timing of events.
Anyway, having your own electric evac pump and a gauge set is a good
idea for the DIY car or boat guy. Inexpensive enough to pay off the
investment. A micron gauge is kinda stretching it, and I don't plan
on buying one. I don't mind a little voodoo.




Thanks for the comprehensive explanation. It makes sense. So, bottom line,
the real reason to pull a vacuum for so long is:

1) subpar equipment that takes forever to get to specs

2) to check for leaks

So, it follows, then, if one knows there are no leaks and one has a decent
pump that can quickly pull the correct vacuum then one minute is as good
as one hour.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:40:11 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
Ã¥ke wrote:



Thanks for the comprehensive explanation. It makes sense. So, bottom line,
the real reason to pull a vacuum for so long is:

1) subpar equipment that takes forever to get to specs


Vacuum pumps are usually portable, meaning small, so they can't pull
down instantly. They don't take forever. Mine takes about 5-10
minutes max to bottom the gauge on a typical car. Then I run it
another 5-10 minutes to boil off more moisture and get a lower micron
count.
But it's just guessing without the micron gauge.


2) to check for leaks

So, it follows, then, if one knows there are no leaks and one has a decent
pump that can quickly pull the correct vacuum then one minute is as good
as one hour.

If you don't have a micron gauge, you don't know if you've reached the
"correct" vacuum. I'd guess you'll get better results lowering
microns by running the pump a while after the typical inHG gauge
bottoms out. No idea about long term impact, but specs typically want
it down to 500 microns. I've also read that going below 200 microns
will start boiling off the compressor oil.
Bottom line is without a micron gauge, it's voodoo.
Bottoming the inHG gauge, then running 5-10 minutes more is just how I
arrange the chicken bones. Seems to work.

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:59:05 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

In article ,
says...


On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:28:34 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

In article ,
says...


On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:21:44 -0500, Marc Auslander
wrote:

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


...

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a
beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody
else
who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Years ago, in the Apple II days, I used to "fix" computers by pulling
the cards out and pressing them back in a couple of times. Sort of
scratched the corrosion off I guess. A really serious defect was
sometimes cured by rubbing a rubber eraser across the contacts.
--
Cheers,
Bruce
Back in the days of my TRS-80 computer, when it started getting flaky, pull
all the cables and wipe the male connectors with a red rubber pencil erases.
Worked great.

As for the fridge, did you evacuate all the cooland and recharge? You could
have water vapor in there.

That was someone else fixing the fridge.

But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Low ambient humidity? :)

You must be joking. This morning (0730) on a nice, clear, going to be
hot today, its already 80, day the relative humidity is 80%
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:09:45 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:28:34 -0500, Gogarty
wrote:

In article ,
says...


On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:21:44 -0500, Marc Auslander
wrote:

Bruce writes:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:


...

At any rate, since I crimped the connectors tighter it hasn't missed a
beat.

I am just soooo freaking smart!!! Perhaps this might assist somebody
else
who
has been experiencing the same or similar symptoms.

Loose connections? And you are a genius to have fixed them?

Aren't you the guy who is described as having a few loose screws?

--
Cheers,
Bruce

In the computer and auto electrical repair worlds, I live by the truth
that "it's always the connector!" I see it works on boats as well :-)

Years ago, in the Apple II days, I used to "fix" computers by pulling
the cards out and pressing them back in a couple of times. Sort of
scratched the corrosion off I guess. A really serious defect was
sometimes cured by rubbing a rubber eraser across the contacts.
--
Cheers,
Bruce
Back in the days of my TRS-80 computer, when it started getting flaky, pull
all the cables and wipe the male connectors with a red rubber pencil erases.
Worked great.

As for the fridge, did you evacuate all the cooland and recharge? You could
have water vapor in there.

That was someone else fixing the fridge.

But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)


Americans tend to believe the old adage that if a little is
good, a lot is better and too much is just right.

Respecting drawing a vacuum in a refrigeration system,
it can't possibly matter how long the vacuum is in place.
One minute is as good as one hour. In a vacuum one
draws out molecules. As many water molecules will be
drawn out in a vacuum held for one minute as for one hour.

American's also believe in ripping off the customer. If a
service technician can charge you and extra hour labor
while he sits and twiddles his thumbs or smokes cigarettes
he will do so.


Your concept of physics is seriously flawed. Firstly, your term vacuum
is not a very scientific one as there is essentially no such thing -
it is rather a lower then atmospheric pressure and it doesn't "draw
out molecules", rather as pressure is reduced water boils (is
vaporized) at a lower temperature which allows any water to
"evaporate" and can easily be removed from the system by flowing
toward the low pressure source.

Now; all vacuum pumps vary in efficiency and none of them is capable
of "pulling a complete vacuum" and as it takes time to completely
vaporize any water in the system, theoretically the longer one keeps
the vacuum pump running the more likely one is to evaporate all the
water in the system and remove it.

Next flaw in your argument: "American's also believe in ripping off
the customer".

While I can't argue with your supposition I can say that you have
never been ripped off compared to what will happen to you when you
arrive in one of these 3rd world, developing countries.

As soon as they see you they will identify you as a foreigner and
everyone knows that all foreigners are rich, so prices go up. I've
seen tourists, at Patong Bay on Phuket Island, paying double the price
for a colorful tee shirt that the identical tee shirt sells for in
Phuket Town, some 15 Km away. And a bus ride from Patong to Phuket
town costs less then a dollar).
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:29:16 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:09:45 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
. ..


But your question brings up something... The American refrigeration
people I've worked with all insisted on long periods of vacuuming
systems. the Thai's on the other hand hook the pump up, pause to light
a cigarette, and then charge it with refrigerant.

But I've never had a Thai serviced system freeze up :-)


Americans tend to believe the old adage that if a little is
good, a lot is better and too much is just right.

Respecting drawing a vacuum in a refrigeration system,
it can't possibly matter how long the vacuum is in place.
One minute is as good as one hour. In a vacuum one
draws out molecules. As many water molecules will be
drawn out in a vacuum held for one minute as for one hour.

American's also believe in ripping off the customer. If a
service technician can charge you and extra hour labor
while he sits and twiddles his thumbs or smokes cigarettes
he will do so.

Here's basically how it works. A "decent" electric vacuum pump is
capable of pulling down to about 200 microns.
The pump comes equipped with the standard vacuum gauge, which in the
U.S. is measuring inches of mercury vacuum. inHG.
Not accurate enough to measure microns. It will be bottomed when
there's still more vacuum to be had.
But a decent micron measuring gauge cost twice as much as the evac
pump. A good HVAC guy buys one.
Typically refrigeration specs call for evac no higher than 500
microns.
Since the evac pump has to work harder and takes longer to draw down
those last microns, let's say from 10000 down to 500, but the inHG
gauge needle has stopped moving, you let the pump run on for a while.
It could take the pump 10 minutes to bottom the inHG gauge, and
another half hour to actually reach 500 microns vacuum, which is what
indicates an acceptable amount of moisture has been boiled off.
Some people - like me - can "guess" by the sound of the pump when it
has stopped pulling vacuum. But without an accurate micron gauge,
it's really just guessing in the end. I usually end up letting the
pump run about 5-10 minutes after both the gauge is bottomed and
there's no tonal sound difference from the pump. But without the
micron gauge, it's voodoo anyway. I don't sweat it.
I've read that pros with micron gauges sometimes have to run the pump
for hours to get down to 500 microns. I can buy that.
In the past I've repaired my R-12 auto A/C's with no evac, and run
them for years after.
I started maintaining family cars with R134 some years ago, and wanted
to treat them better than I did my old cars. So since one of my kids
is a mech and they had an air-operated vacuum pump in his garage, I
had him do evacs at work a couple times. That was a hassle for him
and me because of timing. So I looked into buying a vacuum pump.
First thing I found is air operated vacuum pumps are plain incapable
of achieving 500 micron vacuum. Lucky to even reach 2000 microns.
And that's with a high capacity air compressor running a looong time.
So I bought a mid-level Mastercool electric.
About 120 bucks and about 30 for a couple quarts of oil, which is
important maintenance on a vacuum pump.

Now the other main part is about maintaining vacuum. That doesn't
require running the pump, but does require time. I usually let the
system set for 2-8 hours with the pump off and isolated when I'm done
pulling vacuum and before I charge. Depends on how lucky I feel.
That's to see if the system has a leak.
Again, that's mostly voodoo without a micron gauge hooked up.
The last time I maintained vacuum on the inHG for a couple hours,
after replacing the compressor and dryer, Gauge never moved.
I still lost R134 from a very small condenser leak, and a year later
the car stopped cooling.
Supposedly a micron gauge would have picked up that leak because of
its sensitivity.
But I might be wrong about that, and the condenser wasn't leaking when
I tested leakdown. No way for me to prove the timing of events.
Anyway, having your own electric evac pump and a gauge set is a good
idea for the DIY car or boat guy. Inexpensive enough to pay off the
investment. A micron gauge is kinda stretching it, and I don't plan
on buying one. I don't mind a little voodoo.

Actually it doesn't work that way here. Firstly, one buys the
absolutely cheapest vacuum pump that one can find. One has never hear
of a "micron gauge" so one uses the standard two gauge set. Time is
money and there is another customer waiting so vacuuming (which
produces no visible results) is done as quickly as possible - usually
until the gauge stabilizes and then load the refrigerant, and then
demonstrate the air from the evaporator is cold, shut down and get the
money. NEXT! :-)

(and damn! it seems to work :-)
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?




200 watts of photovoltaics charge the batteries (four deep cycle/marine,
Autocraft brand size 24)

Yup, until you get several days of rainy overcast weather.
(been there, done that)

No noisy wind generators for this sailor. I think they are rude, crude and
socially unacceptable. There are few things I hate more than the asshole who
anchors right upwind and runs one of those noisy wind generators 24/7. What
do *I* get out of it other than bothersome noise? What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much bigger asshole
who runs a diesel generator. The diesel generator not only produces noise but
health-harming fumes.

You must have experience with those portable generators that the
uneducated use. A properly installed diesel generator is nearly
totally silent and the water cooled exhaust absorbs nearly all the
noxious gases and as for noise? Why a proper installation is far more
quiet then your outboard. What is really abhorrent in an anchorage is
the silly buggers running about with outboards on their dinghys.

--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:27:25 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much bigger asshole
who runs a diesel generator.

===

Both of my diesel generators are quieter than a wind generator and
*much* quieter than the obnoxious little Hondas that some of your
sailing buddies are fond of. Quite a few of your sailing buddies also
run their diesel aux at fast idle to charge their batteries. That
makes more noise and fumes than a good generator.




Granted, a proper, inboard diesel generator is mighty quite.
A little splashing is about all one can hear and that's when
there is no wind and wave action. The exhaust fumes, however,
are the real problem. Why is it that those who run diesel
generators always "treat" the entire downwind anchorage
to their fumes? Why is it they can't be considerate of the safe
breathing of those who are out there because they wish to
breathe fresh air. Why can't they anchor DOWNWIND of
everybody?

Enquiring minds wish to know because the only answer
I can ever come up with is it's because they are rude,
inconsiderate, self-centered and couldn't care less

STAY THE **** HOME

Exactly.....
What ARE you doing here?
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Sat, 22 Dec 2012 08:38:31 +0700, Bruce
wrote:



Actually it doesn't work that way here. Firstly, one buys the
absolutely cheapest vacuum pump that one can find. One has never hear
of a "micron gauge" so one uses the standard two gauge set. Time is
money and there is another customer waiting so vacuuming (which
produces no visible results) is done as quickly as possible - usually
until the gauge stabilizes and then load the refrigerant, and then
demonstrate the air from the evaporator is cold, shut down and get the
money. NEXT! :-)

(and damn! it seems to work :-)

And that's why they say "Whatever works." (-:

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:21:18 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:13 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up about
a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?


Capt. Neal don't need no stinking electricity... he relies on his
sails.


Sorry, Bruce, but I rely on the same thing that produces the wind
for my sails - the sun. Unlike you, I don't plug into the grid. You
lubbers who like to go around yelling about mankind causing
global warming are, for the most part, hypocrites. Only those
living off the grid who practice what they preach are deserving
of my respect.

Yes, I tried that for a while.... the problem is that solar panels
produce very tiny amounts of electricity during periods of overcast
weather. I realize that your nautical experience is solely in the Keys
(where the sun shines every day) but if you were to venture out into
the world you would discover that your solar panels will not always
provide sufficient power to keep your batteries charged.
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:59:29 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Sat, 22 Dec 2012 08:38:31 +0700, Bruce
wrote:



Actually it doesn't work that way here. Firstly, one buys the
absolutely cheapest vacuum pump that one can find. One has never hear
of a "micron gauge" so one uses the standard two gauge set. Time is
money and there is another customer waiting so vacuuming (which
produces no visible results) is done as quickly as possible - usually
until the gauge stabilizes and then load the refrigerant, and then
demonstrate the air from the evaporator is cold, shut down and get the
money. NEXT! :-)

(and damn! it seems to work :-)

And that's why they say "Whatever works." (-:


Years ago, in North Thailand, I used to walk past a little welding
shop where the guy did most of the work out on the sidewalk. Anyway,
one day I came walking by and the guy's got this great big single
cylinder diesel engine out on the sidewalk and one of the mounting
feet is broken off - big chunk of cast iron with the mounting bolt
hole in it. The guy's got it all "vee ed out" and propped up right
where it broke off. and he's welding it back on using regular old,
6011, mild steel welding rod.

Now, you can ask any welder and he'll tell you that you, "can't weld
cast iron with regular steel rods", but this guy is doing it :-) A few
days go buy and every day I can see he has welded a little more and
finally one day I go by and there is no big engine on the sidewalk. So
I ask the guy how it went and he, vary nonchalantly tells me he got it
finished and they took it back to the rice mill to install it. I asked
him whether he though it would hold and he told me that "none of the
other ones I've done have broken".

Now just like not vacuuming down an AC for a long time you can't weld
cast iron with mild steel rods...... but they do :-)
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:21:18 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
. ..
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:13 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up
about
a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?


Capt. Neal don't need no stinking electricity... he relies on his
sails.


Sorry, Bruce, but I rely on the same thing that produces the wind
for my sails - the sun. Unlike you, I don't plug into the grid. You
lubbers who like to go around yelling about mankind causing
global warming are, for the most part, hypocrites. Only those
living off the grid who practice what they preach are deserving
of my respect.

Yes, I tried that for a while.... the problem is that solar panels
produce very tiny amounts of electricity during periods of overcast
weather. I realize that your nautical experience is solely in the Keys
(where the sun shines every day) but if you were to venture out into
the world you would discover that your solar panels will not always
provide sufficient power to keep your batteries charged.

A concept you lubbers seem to have forgotten is this: if the sun
doesn't shine for an extended period of time one cuts back on
one's electrical usage to match the shortfall. One doesn't continue
with 'business as usual' thus depleting the storage contained in
the batteries.

The ONLY absolute requirement is an anchor light and even a
cloudy day will produce more electricity than a good anchor light
such as the one I mentioned elsewhere will not deplete the
battery bank. Even running lights are optional offshore. In an
emergency one can always use a back-up kerosene lamps.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been
acting up. It starts to compress and then acts like it is
overloaded and the compressor runs faster and gets
louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty
much ceases to compress as evidenced by the voltage
on the volt meter jumping up about a volt.

How do you keep your batteries charged up?

200 watts of photovoltaics charge the batteries (four deep
cycle/marine, Autocraft brand size 24)

Yup, until you get several days of rainy overcast weather.
(been there, done that)

No noisy wind generators for this sailor. I think they are rude,
crude and socially unacceptable. There are few things I hate
more than the asshole who anchors right upwind and runs one
of those noisy wind generators 24/7. What do *I* get out of it
other than bothersome noise? What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much
bigger asshole who runs a diesel generator. The diesel generator
not only produces noise but health-harming fumes.

You must have experience with those portable generators that the
uneducated use. A properly installed diesel generator is nearly
totally silent and the water cooled exhaust absorbs nearly all the
noxious gases and as for noise? Why a proper installation is far more
quiet then your outboard. What is really abhorrent in an anchorage is
the silly buggers running about with outboards on their dinghys.

Those portables are totally obnoxious. Generally, one sees them
propped up and operating on the highest (and loudest) place on
deck. It's tantamount to the operator of the yacht (more like bumboat)
stand on deck and flipping off everybody in the anchorage. These
are NOT yachtsmen. They are assholes.

When they make a diesel generator burn as clean as a gasoline
generator then I won't complain. I cannot smell the exhaust fumes
for a modern gasoline generator. I can always smell the fumes from
a modern diesel generator. Unless and until the get serious about
pollution control on diesels this unfortunate situation will remain.

My dinghy is oar powered and 2.5 HP, four-stroke powered.
I only idle through the anchorage and the noise produced by that
little engine is about the same as the noise produced by the oars
unless it is opened up. I am not one of those rude people who
open it up in any anchorage because I don't have the typical
boat bum attitude that the entire world revolves around them.

--
Sir Gregory

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:59:05 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:21:18 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:09:13 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been acting up. It
starts
to compress and then acts like it is overloaded and the compressor runs
faster
and gets louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty much
ceases
to compress as evidenced by the voltage on the volt meter jumping up
about
a
volt.

===

How do you keep your batteries charged up?


Capt. Neal don't need no stinking electricity... he relies on his
sails.


Sorry, Bruce, but I rely on the same thing that produces the wind
for my sails - the sun. Unlike you, I don't plug into the grid. You
lubbers who like to go around yelling about mankind causing
global warming are, for the most part, hypocrites. Only those
living off the grid who practice what they preach are deserving
of my respect.

Yes, I tried that for a while.... the problem is that solar panels
produce very tiny amounts of electricity during periods of overcast
weather. I realize that your nautical experience is solely in the Keys
(where the sun shines every day) but if you were to venture out into
the world you would discover that your solar panels will not always
provide sufficient power to keep your batteries charged.

A concept you lubbers seem to have forgotten is this: if the sun
doesn't shine for an extended period of time one cuts back on
one's electrical usage to match the shortfall. One doesn't continue
with 'business as usual' thus depleting the storage contained in
the batteries.

So the Great Capt. Wilbur drinks warm beer on rainy days.....

If you are going to drink warm beer on rainy days why not just drink
it warm all the time. Sure save on fridge repairs.

There must be some English chaps here that can explain to Willie-boy
why warm beer is better, more taste, etc.

Unfortunately Willie-boy being a stay at home, arm chair sailor, lacks
the experiences others gain by cruising and thus doesn't understand
about warm beer, hot sake, palm toddy and all the other exotic
beverages one encounters in foreign places.
--
Cheers,
Bruce

Fixed my Adlor-Barbour Refrigerator.
 

On Sat, 22 Dec 2012 13:10:16 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:17:54 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:41:55 -0500, " Sir Gregory Hall, Esq·"
åke wrote:

But, just recently over the past month or so it has been
acting up. It starts to compress and then acts like it is
overloaded and the compressor runs faster and gets
louder and the fan runs faster but the compression pretty
much ceases to compress as evidenced by the voltage
on the volt meter jumping up about a volt.

How do you keep your batteries charged up?

200 watts of photovoltaics charge the batteries (four deep
cycle/marine, Autocraft brand size 24)

Yup, until you get several days of rainy overcast weather.
(been there, done that)

No noisy wind generators for this sailor. I think they are rude,
crude and socially unacceptable. There are few things I hate
more than the asshole who anchors right upwind and runs one
of those noisy wind generators 24/7. What do *I* get out of it
other than bothersome noise? What I hate even more than
the rude asshole who runs a wind generator upwind is the much
bigger asshole who runs a diesel generator. The diesel generator
not only produces noise but health-harming fumes.

You must have experience with those portable generators that the
uneducated use. A properly installed diesel generator is nearly
totally silent and the water cooled exhaust absorbs nearly all the
noxious gases and as for noise? Why a proper installation is far more
quiet then your outboard. What is really abhorrent in an anchorage is
the silly buggers running about with outboards on their dinghys.

Those portables are totally obnoxious. Generally, one sees them
propped up and operating on the highest (and loudest) place on
deck. It's tantamount to the operator of the yacht (more like bumboat)
stand on deck and flipping off everybody in the anchorage. These
are NOT yachtsmen. They are assholes.

When they make a diesel generator burn as clean as a gasoline
generator then I won't complain. I cannot smell the exhaust fumes
for a modern gasoline generator.
While you can't smell them they are still there. Pipe the exhaust into
the cabin and take a nap there.

Sort of like the deodorized butane that they used as propellant in bug
spray cans. Didn't smell but sure burned well.

I can always smell the fumes from
a modern diesel generator. Unless and until the get serious about
pollution control on diesels this unfortunate situation will remain.

They do build diesel engines that are almost as clean as an automobile
engines. The problem is that they cost considerable more than a
mechanically injected engine and doubtful you can sell them as
auxiliary generators. they are also generally not repairable by
backyard mechanics.

My dinghy is oar powered and 2.5 HP, four-stroke powered.
I only idle through the anchorage and the noise produced by that
little engine is about the same as the noise produced by the oars
unless it is opened up. I am not one of those rude people who
open it up in any anchorage because I don't have the typical
boat bum attitude that the entire world revolves around them.

You idle through the anchorage? You don't row or have a little
spritsail on the dinghy?

And you call yourself a yachtsman?

Only polluting a little is like the girl telling that she is only a
little pregnant.
--
Cheers,
Bruce