I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

Compressor is jammed and causes the thermal breaker to trip then a delay
while it cools then it repeats.

Its dead, take it to the dump.


"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

Is it just humming, or does it sound as the compressor motor is actually
running. When my fridge did this, I found the starting relay was sticking. I
bought a new one (solid state) and it has been fine ever since. Costs about
$20.
John

My best guess is bad starting components on the compressor. An appliance guy
can install a hard start kit, and you can have many years more service from
your freezer.

I've installed a bunch of hard start kits. The last time I talked with a
customer, he said Sears got him $180 for a hard start kit (Gemline) on his
refrig, and it lasted about a year. I charge much less than that (and use
Supco) and seldom have a callback.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
..
..


"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

In article
,
"JohnR66" wrote:

"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

Is it just humming, or does it sound as the compressor motor is actually
running. When my fridge did this, I found the starting relay was sticking. I
bought a new one (solid state) and it has been fine ever since. Costs about
$20.
John

No, it sounds like it's running, not jammed. I'll look at the relay
again, maybe that's it. Pardon my ignorance (I've worked on electric
motors, but not refrigerator/freezer compressors) but is there a motor
inside the "sealed football" and why is it sealed up? Seems like it
could be made much more serviceable if the motor and compressor pump
were separate. Again pardon my ignorance--I only have a doctorate in
aerospace engineering, not refrigeration mechanics! TIA.

Denny

JohnR66 wrote:
"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...

I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny


Is it just humming, or does it sound as the compressor motor is actually
running. When my fridge did this, I found the starting relay was sticking. I
bought a new one (solid state) and it has been fine ever since. Costs about
$20.
John



I had a refrigerator that did this also.
Repairman changed the start switch to a new
solidstate one. Worked ok for a while (a few
years), then stated acting up again. So I bought
a hard start kit (just a large capacitor). No
problems since (many many years).

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
My best guess is bad starting components on the compressor. An appliance
guy
can install a hard start kit, and you can have many years more service
from
your freezer.

I've installed a bunch of hard start kits. The last time I talked with a
customer, he said Sears got him $180 for a hard start kit (Gemline) on his
refrig, and it lasted about a year. I charge much less than that (and use
Supco) and seldom have a callback.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
.
.


"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny



My best resource is the guy at the local appliance parts store. I just tell
him what I have and he tells me what is wrong even before I finish
explaining the symptoms.

A jammed compressor would have a bit longer run/reset time than you
described, it certainly could be something like a relay or motor cap

Yes, the sealed compressor has an integrated motor and they are virtually
impossible to service. I tried to cut one open once and barely scratched
the metal (maybe if I had an air grinder....).

"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...

Pardon my ignorance (I've worked on electric
motors, but not refrigerator/freezer compressors) but is there a motor
inside the "sealed football" and why is it sealed up? Seems like it
could be made much more serviceable if the motor and compressor pump
were separate. Again pardon my ignorance--I only have a doctorate in
aerospace engineering, not refrigeration mechanics! TIA.

Denny

I believe the system is hermetically sealed to eliminate a possible leak. If
you have an external motor, it's kinetic energy will have to be transferred
somehow from outside the compressor pump: generally a shaft.

A magnetic-drive system is feasible, but not practical as far as expense
IMO; especially since the hermetically sealed system is tried and true. They
generally don't need servicing and are 'cheap' enough to replace if
absolutely necessary.

In article ,
Dennis Straussfogel wrote:

In article
,
"JohnR66" wrote:

"Dennis Straussfogel" wrote in message
...
I have an old Westinghouse freezer (left behind by PO) that when plugged
in runs for half a second, stops, sits for about ten second, then kicks
on for another half second, stops, and so on. Any thoughts on what might
be wrong and if it's an easy fix (e.g. cleaning contacts, or whatever)
or best taken to the dump. TIA for any opinions.

Denny

Is it just humming, or does it sound as the compressor motor is actually
running. When my fridge did this, I found the starting relay was sticking.
I
bought a new one (solid state) and it has been fine ever since. Costs about
$20.
John

No, it sounds like it's running, not jammed. I'll look at the relay
again, maybe that's it. Pardon my ignorance (I've worked on electric
motors, but not refrigerator/freezer compressors) but is there a motor
inside the "sealed football" and why is it sealed up? Seems like it
could be made much more serviceable if the motor and compressor pump
were separate. Again pardon my ignorance--I only have a doctorate in
aerospace engineering, not refrigeration mechanics! TIA.

Denny

Well, I took a gamble and bought a Supco hard-start kit (talked them
down to CA$30 from CA$42) and now the compressor runs for about 4-5
seconds then stops. The hard-start capacitor clicks back on after about
10 seconds and I can repeat the process. The compressor is definitely
running, not jammed, but the problem persists, albeit with a little
longer run time. So perhaps I should have spent the $30 on lottery
tickets instead. Nevertheless, I thank to everyone for their advice. Win
some, lose some.