Does anyone know how long it takes for the crystals to form in an off level fridge?
Hi
@RickB , as no one has had a go at responding to your question, I thought I would give it a go in simple terms for you. Firstly, "how long is a piece of string?". It all depends.........!!
In a heat absorption fridge, it will depend on time used off level, the degree of off level and the amount of heat applied to the refrigerant whilst off level, or stuck in the one place and not moved about. If you boil any liquid that has chemicals in it, it tends to bubble about and the chemical laden liquid gets splashed onto the sides of the hot container. So it is no longer in solution with the liquid and just dries out as a powdery coating. As more and more chemical is spread around and separated from the boiling liquid, it builds and builds and crystals are formed. That would not be so bad if the coating was even all over (would take a lot longer to build up!) but I remember from my chemistry classes, that once a crystal forms, it tends to gather all the other "loose" particles in solution around it, and so increases in size at a greater rate. Eventually, it absorbs so much that it tends to form a large lump and decreases the concentration of the liquid from whence it came, unless solution concentration is maintained. As seen on the link provided, in a small (percolator) tube near the boiler, there is plenty of heat and not much room for the flow to move a concentrated solution. Other areas of possible low flow and coating of crystal build up can also occur at the top of the boiler tube just before the condenser. Here the super heated ammonia GAS has been separated from any liquid (water vapour as steam) and so greater potential for sodium chromate powder coating to build up as crystals (dried out from the water vapour) and restrict ammonia GAS flow.
I have had two different experiences (not personal) with friends who have stuffed up their 3 way fridges because of use in being too far out of level too often!! One was a relatively new 40 litre? size that was only just over 2 years' old and was in excellent condition too. Tried the old trick of "burping" (turning fridge upside down, left side down, right side down for hours - not working of course - even overnight!) before trying again on 240 volt power and gas too. But while the boiler tube got hot as expected, the condenser did not, although I did succeed in getting the heat in the tube closer to the condenser.
And the other one was in a larger unit in a motor home that friend had bought second hand. He said it was working? okay for a while and suddenly stopped getting any cold at all. In fact, the freezer showed some slight WARMING! After checking all controls, settings and cleaning up boiler area (240 volt elements and gas burner and chimney), managed to get lots of heat and great gas flame in boiler and a little way up towards the condenser, but failed to get condenser even warm. Even after removing fridge from van and trying the "burping" trick, no luck. Friend was totally unaware of potential failure when his motor home and fridge were off level. He said he just pulled up in a spot that looked good and never gave "levelling" his motor home a thought. Leveling blocks for the wheels to be run up on to, was too difficult! Hence he paid the price - maybe not all his fault?), but had to replace his fridge which I was able to help him install. Tough way to learn.
