Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

Cheers PJ

On May 15, 10:26*am, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.


However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

Cheers PJ

light bulb, glass chopping boards.


NT

"Tabby" wrote in message
...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod, recharging equipment, recharging valve, the
correct refrigerant, specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor
....


However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

Cheers PJ

light bulb, glass chopping boards.


NT

On 15/05/2011 10:26, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

FF4DK or FF4DX?

--
Adrian C

On 15/05/2011 12:53, Adrian C wrote:
On 15/05/2011 10:26, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

FF4DK or FF4DX?

Oh S**&, scrap that - no digital display on those.

(just heartache)

Mind ya, if you take the presumed still working digital electronics out
and stick it on eBay, someone would be grateful.

--
Adrian C

On May 15, 12:36*pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)


specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.


NT

"Tabby" wrote in message
...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.
R12 is now banned in the UK.
Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The amount
is critical

specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will not do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....
I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....




NT

On May 15, 5:37*pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:



"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago)..
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.


R12 is now banned in the UK.

Lots of old R12 kit still in use, but the OP's wont be R12.


Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The amount
is critical

specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will not do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....

if it was originally used with the same refrigerant it would work.


I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....

NT

"Tabby" wrote in message
...
On May 15, 5:37 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:



"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.

It is highly flammable.
This stuff gets hot in the condensing coils, it gets hot in the compressor.
If the brazing is not done correctly it could leak out -- bang! Some
freezers have mild steel pipes in the insulation. These are prone to
rotting - leaking. The evaporator plate is prone to leakage. People defrost
with a knife and stab it to death ---- hiss.
Just where have you seen butane or propane being used in domestic
refrigeration?


R12 is now banned in the UK.

Lots of old R12 kit still in use, but the OP's wont be R12.

It might well be R12 depending on the age of his fridge freezer. Some of the
old LEC stuff is still rumbling along on R12.
The upgrade was R134A. There is a drop in replacement for R12 but you need
to change the dryer.



Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The amount
is critical

Well?

specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will not
do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....

if it was originally used with the same refrigerant it would work.

Unfortunately not.
It is just not that easy.


I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....

Hmmmm

NT

On 15/05/2011 10:26, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

Cheers PJ


Does it claim to be a Frost Free?
Is it completely broken or just failing to get cold enough?

If the latter, let it defrost completely over a weekend and restart it.
Frost Free freezers work by blowing refrigerated air from a relatively
compact freezer unit throughout the main freezer compartment. This means
that any frost from condensate is restricted to the main unit and this
is removed using a local heater that melts the ice and lets it flow away.

However, if the freezer is overpacked, the air vents that are used for
circulating the frozen air get blocked with ice. These aren't near the
heater so they never defrost and the frozen air stops circulating.

We had the same with our Hotpoint Frost Free. A 12 hour defrost was
useless, but a 48 hour absence let all the trapped water thaw and it's
been good as new since then.

Hope this helps

On May 15, 10:26*am, wrote:
Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?
It's quite a posh one with a digital display for setting the
temperature of the fridge and freezer separately.

Cheers PJ

There was a gardening programme on the box a few years back which had
several suggestions. I can't remember all of them, but: (a) a seed
store, (b) on its back as a compost bin, (c) ditto with holes filled
as a water-butt.

Chris

On May 15, 9:14*pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 5:37 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:

"Tabby" wrote in message

....
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.

It is highly flammable.
This stuff gets hot in the condensing coils, it gets hot in the compressor.

"Tabby" wrote in message
...
On May 15, 9:14 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 5:37 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:

"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years
ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.

It is highly flammable.
This stuff gets hot in the condensing coils, it gets hot in the
compressor.
If the brazing is not done correctly it could leak out -- bang! Some
freezers have mild steel pipes in the insulation. These are prone to
rotting - leaking. The evaporator plate is prone to leakage. People
defrost
with a knife and stab it to death ---- hiss.

that's why it wasn't used here for so many decades. But stats from
where its long been used in Africa have shown that in practice the
risk is as good as zero.

African stats ....


Just where have you seen butane or propane being used in domestic
refrigeration?

First time I saw it here was a new Proline fridge freezer. They're
easily spotted as they have a flame warning sign on the back.

Jesus! Cheaper and cheaper crap.


R12 is now banned in the UK.

Lots of old R12 kit still in use, but the OP's wont be R12.

It might well be R12 depending on the age of his fridge freezer.

3 years old won't be R12.

He bought it second hand 3 years ago.


Some of the
old LEC stuff is still rumbling along on R12.
The upgrade was R134A. There is a drop in replacement for R12 but you need
to change the dryer.

Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the
sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The
amount
is critical

Well?

Fridge freezers normally have the quantity on the ratings plate. You
could always google for the people that do this.


specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will not
do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....

if it was originally used with the same refrigerant it would work.

Unfortunately not.
It is just not that easy.

I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....

Hmmmm



NT

"In highly purified form, propane (R-290) can serve as a direct
replacement in mechanical refrigeration systems designed to use R-12,
R-22 or R-134a chloro- or fluorocarbon based refrigerants."

Hardly a home repair job.

On May 16, 9:56*am, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 9:14 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:



"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 5:37 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

....
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:

"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years
ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.

It is highly flammable.
This stuff gets hot in the condensing coils, it gets hot in the
compressor.
If the brazing is not done correctly it could leak out -- bang! Some
freezers have mild steel pipes in the insulation. These are prone to
rotting - leaking. The evaporator plate is prone to leakage. People
defrost
with a knife and stab it to death ---- hiss.

that's why it wasn't used here for so many decades. But stats from
where its long been used in Africa have shown that in practice the
risk is as good as zero.

African stats ....

Just where have you seen butane or propane being used in domestic
refrigeration?

First time I saw it here was a new Proline fridge freezer. They're
easily spotted as they have a flame warning sign on the back.

Jesus! Cheaper and cheaper crap.

Lower cost, more energy efficient, risk insignificant. Its good
engineering.


R12 is now banned in the UK.

Lots of old R12 kit still in use, but the OP's wont be R12.

It might well be R12 depending on the age of his fridge freezer.

3 years old won't be R12.

He bought it second hand 3 years ago.

Some of the
old LEC stuff is still rumbling along on R12.
The upgrade was R134A. There is a drop in replacement for R12 but you need
to change the dryer.

Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the
sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The
amount
is critical

Well?

Fridge freezers normally have the quantity on the ratings plate. You
could always google for the people that do this.



specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will not
do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....

if it was originally used with the same refrigerant it would work.

Unfortunately not.
It is just not that easy.

I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....

Hmmmm

NT

"In highly purified form, propane (R-290) can serve as a direct
replacement in mechanical refrigeration systems designed to use R-12,
R-22 or R-134a chloro- or fluorocarbon based refrigerants."

Hardly a home repair job.

People have done it succesfully. Anyone can google. End of story.

"Tabby" wrote in message
...
On May 16, 9:56 am, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 9:14 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:



"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 5:37 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:
"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 12:36 pm, "Mr Pounder"
wrote:

"Tabby" wrote in message

...
On May 15, 10:26 am, wrote:

Hi all,

our Ariston FF stopped working suddenly (bought 2nd hand 3 years
ago).
Sounds like something inside the compressor has broken as it's a
lot
noisier than it used to be but zero cooling.
I assume there's little point in repairing it.

It depends. Its not too hard to swap over a compressor from an old
machine. Some machines of that age use fuel gas refrigerant, which
costs peanuts and is workable with.

Brazing equipment, brazing rod,

yup

recharging equipment, recharging valve, the

well...

Well indeed ..

correct refrigerant

£1 from the hardware store if its butane/propane, or if an old R12
machine that you can recharge with that (often you can)

It will not be butane or propane. I have never seen this in a domestic
fridge freezer in the UK.

It is in use now, I've seen it.

It is highly flammable.
This stuff gets hot in the condensing coils, it gets hot in the
compressor.
If the brazing is not done correctly it could leak out -- bang! Some
freezers have mild steel pipes in the insulation. These are prone to
rotting - leaking. The evaporator plate is prone to leakage. People
defrost
with a knife and stab it to death ---- hiss.

that's why it wasn't used here for so many decades. But stats from
where its long been used in Africa have shown that in practice the
risk is as good as zero.

African stats ....

Just where have you seen butane or propane being used in domestic
refrigeration?

First time I saw it here was a new Proline fridge freezer. They're
easily spotted as they have a flame warning sign on the back.

Jesus! Cheaper and cheaper crap.

Lower cost, more energy efficient, risk insignificant. Its good
engineering.


R12 is now banned in the UK.

Lots of old R12 kit still in use, but the OP's wont be R12.

It might well be R12 depending on the age of his fridge freezer.

3 years old won't be R12.

He bought it second hand 3 years ago.

Some of the
old LEC stuff is still rumbling along on R12.
The upgrade was R134A. There is a drop in replacement for R12 but you
need
to change the dryer.

Knowing how much refrigerant to put in if somebody has removed the
sticker
which is not always there. It can be for example 34 -120 grams. The
amount
is critical

Well?

Fridge freezers normally have the quantity on the ratings plate. You
could always google for the people that do this.



specialised tools, the correct replacement compressor

or anything suitable. If you pick one with the same gas and similar
wattage you'll be ok. Some repair jobs become worth doing if you don't
get overly fussy. The specs will then shift a bit, you might find it
only maintains temps upto 27C isntead of 28C ambient.

Nar, any old compressor which has something like the same spec will
not
do.
High pressure side/low pressure side....

if it was originally used with the same refrigerant it would work.

Unfortunately not.
It is just not that easy.

I think a refurb compressor costs about 60 quid.

Well ....

Hmmmm

NT

"In highly purified form, propane (R-290) can serve as a direct
replacement in mechanical refrigeration systems designed to use R-12,
R-22 or R-134a chloro- or fluorocarbon based refrigerants."

Hardly a home repair job.

People have done it succesfully. Anyone can google. End of story.

Hardly a home repair job.

On Sun, 15 May 2011 10:26:22 +0100, pjlusenet wrote:
However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?

If the sides are metal they'll make useful tops for workbenches... I'd
see if there was any frame inside which could be useful (in pieces as
needed) on other projects too, but that's just me :-)

cheers

Jules

"Jules Richardson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 15 May 2011 10:26:22 +0100, pjlusenet wrote:
However, does anyone know if there are any bits worth saving off it?

If the sides are metal they'll make useful tops for workbenches... I'd
see if there was any frame inside which could be useful (in pieces as
needed) on other projects too, but that's just me :-)

cheers

Jules

The sides are cheap thin mild steel.
Inside is foam insulation which hold the interior of the cabinet together.
The only things maybe worth saving are the racks which can be used as ....
dunno really.
The light bulb will be 15W .....

On Mon, 16 May 2011 18:33:27 +0100, Mr Pounder wrote:
If the sides are metal they'll make useful tops for workbenches... I'd
see if there was any frame inside which could be useful (in pieces as
needed) on other projects too, but that's just me :-)

The sides are cheap thin mild steel.

Yes, I suppose they might be on a recent one... as I mentioned in another
thread, our fridge is 30-odd years old and built like a sodding tank, as
are most* of that vintage :-)

* at least this side of the Pond anyway. I remember UK fridges and
freezers typically being a lot smaller than US counterparts (you could
almost live in ours, if it wasn't so flippin' cold)

Inside is foam insulation which hold the interior of the cabinet
together. The only things maybe worth saving are the racks which can be
used as .... dunno really.

Ahh, OK. Again, our ancient one definitely has a box-section steel frame
at the bottom, I'm just not sure if it extends all the way to the top.

cheers

Jules