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Mini fridge compressor too hot? (1 Viewer)

Cardinal

Cardinal

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I have a mini fridge that I keep in my studio closet for storing paints and oils, and my wife thinks the back of the refrigerator is too hot. I used a meat thermometer on the top of the compressor and showing 135 degrees fahrenheit. Tech support for this fridge doesn't seem to exist anymore, and the interwebs cite "safe" ranges for refrigerator compressors in general to be between 100 and 120, and one site even says the top range is 320.

Is 135 normal or is it time to get a new mini fridge?
 
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Is the cord a three prong?

Does the condenser get airflow?

Is the plug, in the wall, warm to the touch?

Google Search

www.google.com
 
Have you cleaned the coil? They get dirty/dusty after a while and will cause it to run hot.
 
It's not designed for a case of old milwaukee. That's the problem.
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
Have you cleaned the coil? They get dirty/dusty after a while and will cause it to run hot.
Click to expand...

See pics. Not sure if that's an option. I see no identifiable fasteners in the back to remove so I can clean them.
 
Rexedgar said:
Condenser is the finned coil assembly. Needs good airflow.

View attachment 67461516

It may be on the bottom of your unit.
Click to expand...
That is indeed what the bottom of the fridge looks like, but I can't get at the coils because the top, sides and back have no clear way of being removed so I can get at them. Does 135 seem pretty hot to you?
 
Cardinal said:
That is indeed what the bottom of the fridge looks like, but I can't get at the coils because the top, sides and back have no clear way of being removed so I can get at them. Does 135 seem pretty hot to you?
Click to expand...
The link I included state that the comp temp can get to 300 Fahrenheit. The condenser is outside the case. It cannot work if is inside the case, blow air and see if there is dust built up on the cooling fins. 135 sounds about right, but I can’t see the fire from my house……….;)
 
Rexedgar said:
The link I included state that the comp temp can get to 300 Fahrenheit. The condenser is outside the case. It cannot work if is inside the case, blow air and see if there is dust built up on the cooling fins. 135 sounds about right, but I can’t see the fire from my house……….;)
Click to expand...

Well I don't know what to say because there ain't no condenser coils I can see, and there's no cooling fin (I google imaged it).
 
So is @Rexedgar's opinion that 135 is no biggie pretty representative here?

As I said, online ranges are all over the place. Here's the source I referred to in the OP saying the range was 100-120.

"The average temperature range of a compressor during normal operation is between 100°F and 120°F, or slightly above room temperature. But mind you, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. It can be influenced by various factors, such as the surrounding temperature, the amount of food in the fridge, and the fridge settings. If your compressor feels too hot to touch, it’s a red flag, and it’s time to investigate."

refrigeratorsreviewed.com

Refrigerator Compressor Temperature: Your Essential Guide

Here's an insightful lowdown on the hows and whys of refrigerator compressor temperature and why it should matter to you.
refrigeratorsreviewed.com
 
Cardinal said:
I have a mini fridge that I keep in my studio closet for storing paints and oils, and my wife thinks the back of the refrigerator is too hot. I used a meat thermometer on the top of the compressor and showing 135 degrees fahrenheit. Tech support for this fridge doesn't seem to exist anymore, and the interwebs cite "safe" ranges for refrigerator compressors in general to be between 100 and 120, and one site even says the top range is 320.

Is 135 normal or is it time to get a new mini fridge?
Click to expand...
I'd toss it and keep the new one anyplace but in the closet.
 
The coil is clearly up in the back judging from where the lines head to, and it  should be accessible somehow. But perhaps not..
Though I would agree I wouldn't be too pressed about that temp. And I didn't really process at OP that it's in a closet.
That doesn't help..
But being a concealed coil, you could expect it to run a bit warm.
Model #? Could likely find a parts breakdown of it..
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
The coil is clearly up in the back judging from where the lines head to, and it  should be accessible somehow. But perhaps not..
Though I would agree I wouldn't be too pressed about that temp. And I didn't really process at OP that it's in a closet.
That doesn't help..
But being a concealed coil, you could expect it to run a bit warm.
Model #? Could likely find a parts breakdown of it..
Click to expand...
It's a big walk-in closet with ventilation from the house's hvac, so I really wouldn't be concerned about that.

After further inspection I can tell you that barring some extremely radical deconstruction efforts, that back isn't coming off.

Oh, did I say 135? I meant 153. I fired it back up a couple hours ago because I've been sitting on this problem for a while and now want to deal with it, and that temp keeps climbing. I'm leaning towards @Donatello's opinion now.
 
Just throwing it out there but low refrigerant can cause the compressor to run hotter than normal.

Is your coolant within normal range?
 
mike2810 said:
Just throwing it out there but low refrigerant can cause the compressor to run hotter than normal.

Is your coolant within normal range?
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****ed if I know.
 
Rexedgar said:
You say you have a trigger type surface thermometer? Is your household fridge moveable? Check the temp of that unit.

Here’s a new tool for ya, keep it in the cooled part of the unit.

Click to expand...
I'm using a meat thermometer, and regardless, the compressor is hot as shit so I'm chucking it. Whatever, it gave me nearly ten years so I'm not crying over it.

I'm getting this from walmart for $148. I just need something to keep my paint in.

 
mike2810 said:
Just throwing it out there but low refrigerant can cause the compressor to run hotter than normal.

Is your coolant within normal range?
Click to expand...
There's no "just checking the refrigerant" on a sealed system like that. And sure he has no gauges, or how to use them.
Not that it would help.
Hell, my Pops is retired HVAC, and while I know a bit, but don't know shit on checking refrigerant.. :)
Something as this, it works, or it's scrap.
 
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