Posts: 375
Threads: 18
Joined: Jun 2023
Well I have worked on my Amana fridge. Think I got it working good again. According to some notes scribbled on the back of the fridge the compressor and cooling unit were replaced. So I found that the fans for the fridge are going out, there is more to this story by the way. I replaced both the internal fan that blows air from the freezer to the fridge portion, and also the condensor fan that pulls the heat out the bottom. So I have had issues with water coming out of the fridge when we are traveling. So I pulled the fridge back out and noticed that the drain was not working for the evaporator core. It was overflowing and running out the door. Think this has been a problem since they replaced the cooling unit, it has rotted the cabinet front off the door below the fridge. The other reason I think it happened when the cooling unit was replaced because I ended up blowing out a rusty screw out of the drain tube, same screw that was missing for the metal cover that goes over the evap in the freezer section. That did the trick and now water is flowing into the drain pain under the fridge as it’s supposed to. I am sure I will eventually need to replace the fridge but for now it’s working great.
Oh yea, the rest of the story is that I believe the inverter is not doing these motors any favors. We ran the ceiling fan while dry camping and the fan motor was not happy running on the inverter, I would gather it’s a modified sine inverter based on the growl. I think this is also not doing any favors for the fans or the compressor motor on the fridge, so I will be upgrading the inverter at some point to a true sine inverter.
Here is the fan motor I made work for the freezer section, was not an exact match but was able to make it work:
https://a.co/d/9RjxWHC
Here is the fan motor for the condenser found under the fridge in the back, this was an exact fit:
https://a.co/d/eHLKeWM
Jeff LoGiudice
Temple Terrace, Fl
1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40
1998 Newell 2000 #490
1986 MCI/TMC 102A3 (sold)
Posts: 1,695
Threads: 123
Joined: Aug 2012
That is good info, Jeff! I typically prefer to repair rather than replace a good quality appliance. Thank you.
1993 Newell (316) 45' 8V92,towing an Imperial open trailer or RnR custom built enclosed trailer. FMCA#232958 '67 Airstream Overlander 27' '67GTO,'76TransAm,'52Chevy panel, 2000 Corvette "Lingenfelter"modified, '23 Grand Cherokee.
Posts: 155
Threads: 20
Joined: Feb 2020
Good to see a repair rather than replace!! Those older Amana refrigerators are really good. In my old coach, my Amana had a magnetic heated door gasket and was a great refer. What a difference a cleanup and new fan made. Back in the day, appliance repair used to be a business on its own. Too bad appliances are made so cheap today.
Bob & Dottie
Newell 1261 & Jeep Grand Cherokee fulltimers
Past Teton Reliance 45' 5th wheel
Custom Volvo VNL780 tow vehicle
2014 Smart car
Posts: 375
Threads: 18
Joined: Jun 2023
(04-02-2024, 07:36 AM)HoosierDaddy Wrote: That is good info, Jeff! I typically prefer to repair rather than replace a good quality appliance. Thank you.
I agree, as long as the bones are good these things are worth repairing. Much better made than the new stuff, may not be as efficient but there's always a trade off.
As I said, mine had a new cooling unit put in it not too long ago so it cools great and evaporator and condenser all look to be in good condition.
(04-02-2024, 08:46 AM)xGE_97 Wrote: Good to see a repair rather than replace!! Those older Amana refrigerators are really good. In my old coach, my Amana had a magnetic heated door gasket and was a great refer. What a difference a cleanup and new fan made. Back in the day, appliance repair used to be a business on its own. Too bad appliances are made so cheap today.
Yea, I did have to clean the coils pretty good. The previous owner had a dog and the coils were pretty dirty. Gave them a good cleaning while I had the fridge out. Hopefully this will go a while longer and I can concentrate on other projects first.
Jeff LoGiudice
Temple Terrace, Fl
1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40
1998 Newell 2000 #490
1986 MCI/TMC 102A3 (sold)
Posts: 112
Threads: 28
Joined: Jul 2022
Would have liked to keep my original but cost way more to fix than a new one.
Adam & Dana Mize
coach # 480
1998 45' 2 slides
Detroit Diesel series 60 ddec
Posts: 198
Threads: 24
Joined: Jul 2012
Adam,
Have you had any issues with your new Refrigerator? Our's is on its last leg!
And nothing else has to be done, Just plug in and it is ready to go?
Anyone else have any input?
Thanks
Pam
Jeff and Pam Reganall
1996 45' Newell Coach #432 Series 60, Allison 6 Speed
Towing 2012 3/4T Ram Truck loaded with the RZR XP Turbo
(This post was last modified: 06-10-2024, 12:29 PM by
RegaNewell.)
Posts: 5,412
Threads: 255
Joined: Jul 2012
Pam, I happen to know you are married to an absolute ACE.
What is the fridge doing or not doing?
Have you cleaned the coils under the fridge? That can kill the cooling
Does it have a hard time starting? There is a start capacitor on the compressor that can go bad
Does it run continuously but not cool?
Have you checked to see if the internal coils located behind a panel in the lower freezer are iced over? If that internal coil ices over, air will not flow and nothing gets cold. I know it sounds odd, but it’s a think with the Amana.
Richard and Rhonda Entrekin
99 Newell, 512
Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, FL (when we're home
)
Posts: 198
Threads: 24
Joined: Jul 2012
(06-10-2024, 02:51 PM)Richard Wrote: Pam, I happen to know you are married to an absolute ACE.
What is the fridge doing or not doing?
Have you cleaned the coils under the fridge? That can kill the cooling
Does it have a hard time starting? There is a start capacitor on the compressor that can go bad
Does it run continuously but not cool?
Have you checked to see if the internal coils located behind a panel in the lower freezer are iced over? If that internal coil ices over, air will not flow and nothing gets cold. I know it sounds odd, but it’s a think with the Amana.
Richard, You are correct in being married to a ACE! My issue is my ACE had a total shoulder replacement 3 weeks ago! 6 Months before he is good!
He worked on it during the winter, twice! I know that he cleaned the coils under fridge (Made a mess) I think twice!
The internal coils in the lower panel is iced over again.
It starts up just fine and when not freezing up it works great. But that is only about a week before it is froze up again.
So think it's time for another one?
Pam
Jeff and Pam Reganall
1996 45' Newell Coach #432 Series 60, Allison 6 Speed
Towing 2012 3/4T Ram Truck loaded with the RZR XP Turbo
Posts: 375
Threads: 18
Joined: Jun 2023
(06-10-2024, 04:43 PM)RegaNewell Wrote: (06-10-2024, 02:51 PM)Richard Wrote: Pam, I happen to know you are married to an absolute ACE.
What is the fridge doing or not doing?
Have you cleaned the coils under the fridge? That can kill the cooling
Does it have a hard time starting? There is a start capacitor on the compressor that can go bad
Does it run continuously but not cool?
Have you checked to see if the internal coils located behind a panel in the lower freezer are iced over? If that internal coil ices over, air will not flow and nothing gets cold. I know it sounds odd, but it’s a think with the Amana.
Richard, You are correct in being married to a ACE! My issue is my ACE had a total shoulder replacement 3 weeks ago! 6 Months before he is good!
He worked on it during the winter, twice! I know that he cleaned the coils under fridge (Made a mess) I think twice!
The internal coils in the lower panel is iced over again.
It starts up just fine and when not freezing up it works great. But that is only about a week before it is froze up again.
So think it's time for another one?
Pam
There is an internal fan that pulls air over the internal coils and pushes it into the fridge, without that fan the internal coils freeze up. I posted the link to the fan motor I used, it was not a perfect fit but it worked. If Richard says your other half is an ace I am sure he can make it work.
Here is the link for the internal fan that I made work:
https://a.co/d/9RjxWHC
This should be easier than trying to replace a fridge, at least for now. Maybe once the other half is healed then the fridge can be replaced.
Hope this helps.
Jeff LoGiudice
Temple Terrace, Fl
1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40
1998 Newell 2000 #490
1986 MCI/TMC 102A3 (sold)
Posts: 169
Threads: 10
Joined: Oct 2016
If a total replacement is needed, what are you going back with? We had a 2 year old Samsung quit on us. Don’t want another one.
Ernie Ekberg
Prevost Liberty-sold
Foretravel
https://groups.io/g/ErnieEkbergFlooring
Ernie Ekbergs Flooring on Facebook
[email protected]