Friday, September 20, 2013

Installing The Fridge Cooling System After Getting A Boiler Rebuild

By Dale Peck


With the cost of electric power raising what appears like almost every week different people are reusing old ideas to save some money. One of these popular ideas is the propane gas refrigerator. They work with the proven idea of gas heat absorption. The new models will often last 25 years before they need a boiler rebuild.

Some of the chief advantages of using a gas fired refrigerator are better than simply saving money. Most propane refrigerators are great for keeping food cool when living off the grid, or in places that have little access to electrical power. They generally have no moving parts in the cooling system so they cannot wear out. They also require very little maintenance when compared to their electrical counterparts.

Generally the initial price of buying a propane fueled refrigerator is somewhat higher than a regular AC refrigerator, though this cost can be recouped in savings from food storage and general ease of use. Some new models have a tiny 12v fan which can be easily powered using a small scale solar array and battery. The gas line only requires a 3/8 or 1/4 line for the gas.

If you resolve to make the great green leap and purchase one you could have to be familiar with how changing out the cooling head is done it your boiler gets rebuilt on it. This basic process may also be used to modify AC models for any DIY conversions. While this is an easy process, it is quite time consuming while this is a basic overview for the process. Always practice caution whenever you work on a unit because the ammonia they use could be very fatal if inhaled.

Take the fridge from where it is installed and place it some place where it is easy to get at. Make sure any gas line or electrical lines to it have been completely disconnected. Take off the door and take everything out including any food or shelves and wash it up with disinfectant.

Remove the aluminum freezer plate which lets you access all the piping inside. Remove all the screws holding the pipes so they are free. Put a blanket down and lay the fridge on its side to access the piping in the back. Remove the screws holding the capillary tubes, condensing coils and boiler assembly. Double check the fridge to make sure everything is now loose.

Once everything is loose, get a pry bar and carefully pry the complete assembly free of the fridge. Use a cloth or towel to protect the copper you are prying on. You may have to cut some of the foam free to get it out. Keep all the screws and baffles because you will need them to reinstall the new unit.

Installation is generally the reverse of taking it out. Getting your boiler rebuild can be cheaper than buying a new unit. The key is ensuring the unit's cooling head is completely sealed and airtight. The freezer pipe should also be perpendicular with the cooling unit's back. Remember that these units use ammonia, so always practice good safety practices so your lines do not get punctured.




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