Soldering; Basic Components; Perimeter Hot Tube; Refrigerant Cycle - Electrolux Side by Side Refrigerators Service Manual

SOLDERING

WARNING: WEAR APPROVED SAFETY
GLASSES WHEN WORKING WITH OR ON ANY
PRESSURIZED SYSTEM OR
MENT. HAVE AN APPROVED DRY TYPE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER HANDY WHEN USING ANY
TYPE OF GAS OPERATED TORCH.
1. All joints to be soldered must have proper fit.
Clearance between tubes to be soldered should be
from .001" to .006". It is not practical to actually
measure this; however, you do not want a dry fit or
loose fit. Tubing joints should overlap about the
distance of their diameter except for restrictor tubes,
which should be inserted 1.25"
2. Clean all joint areas with fine steel wool or
preferably an abrasive cloth, such as grit cloth No.
23 or Scotch-Brite.
3. Apply a thin film of liquid flux recommended for silver
soldering to surfaces to be joined and to surfaces
immediately adjacent to joint.
4. Align tubing so no stress is on joint. Do not move
tubing while solder is solidifying or leaks will result.
CAUTION: During application of heat, use wet
cloths to prevent heat from conducting to
areas other than the soldered joint. Use a
sheet of metal or torch guard pad as a heat
deflector to keep flame away from inflam-
mable materials and painted surfaces.
5. Use a torch of adequate capacity so joint can be
quickly heated with a minimum of heat travel to
other points. Use a good grade of silver solder.
6. Solder connections. If tubing is properly cleaned
and fluxed, solder will flow readily. Use only enough
solder to make a good bond.
7. Allow joint to cool, then wash exterior with water
to remove flux.

BASIC COMPONENTS

The basic components of a refrigerator are a
pressor, condenser, evaporator, heat exchanger (capil-
lary tube and suction line), drier and perimeter hot tube.

PERIMETER HOT TUBE

To reduce the possibility of condensation forming on the
exterior of the cabinet in high humidity areas, a perimeter
hot tube (refrigerant tube) has been installed in the unit.
The perimeter tube extends up the left side, across the
top of the freezer and down the center mullion and into
the filter drier. When the compressor operates, warm
refrigerant flows through the primary condenser, then
into the primary hot tube, warming the cabinet front
exterior.
The perimeter hot tube is not replaceable. In the unlikely
event of a leak in the hot tube, a kit is available to bypass
the hot tube in the sealed system. A electrical heater
wire must be installed within the tubing. Refer to the
EQUIP-
appropriate parts list of the model being serviced for the
correct kit part number.

REFRIGERANT CYCLE

The refrigerant cycle is a continuous cycle that occurs
whenever the compressor is in operation. Liquid
frigerant is evaporated in the evaporator by the heat that
enters the cabinet through the insulated walls and by the
heat from product load and door openings. The refriger-
ant vapor is then drawn from the evaporator, through the
suction line to the compressor. Compression raises the
pressure and temperature of the vapor in the compres-
sor and the vapor is then forced through the discharge
valve into the discharge line and into the condenser. Air
passing over the condenser surface removes heat from
the high pressure vapor which then condenses to a
liquid. The liquid refrigerant then flows from the con-
denser to the evaporator through the small diameter
liquid line (capillary tube), before it enters the evaporator
the liquid refrigerant is sub-cooled in the heat exchanger
by the low temperature suction vapor in the suction line.

LOW OR HIGH SIDE LEAK OR UNDERCHARGE

A loss of refrigerant can result in any of the following:
1. Excessive or continuous compressor operation.
2. Above normal freezer and /or food compartment
temperature.
3. A partially frosted evaporator (depending on amount
of refrigerant loss).
4. Low suction pressure (vacuum).
5. Low wattage.
The condenser will be "warm to cool", depending on the
amount of refrigerant lost.
When refrigerant is added, the frost pattern will improve,
the suction and discharge pressures will rise, the
condenser will become hot and the wattage will in-
com-
crease.
In the case of a low side refrigerant leak resulting in
complete loss of refrigerant, the compressor will run but
will not refrigerate. Suction pressure will drop below
atmospheric pressure and air and moisture will be drawn
into the system saturating the filter drier.
If there is reason to believe the system has operated for
a considerable length of time with no refrigerant and the
leak occurred in the evaporator, excessive amounts of
moisture may have entered the system. In such cases
the compressor may need to be replaced to prevent
repetitive service.
30
re-