emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

[shovenose]

i guess the fridge kicked on at the same time i was using the microwave. my power strip clicked off. i turned it back on and thr fridge started making a horrible clunking/clicking noise. i unplugged it because i was worried something was damaged. should i try to plug it back in and see if it goes away?

[Topcat]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

Compressors have a safety swtich inside that doesn't allow them to be powered up again for a few minutes of being powered down. This can make a buzz/clunk noise depending on the compressor. Leave it unplugged for 10~15 minutes and plug it in again, it should go away.

[desert-rat]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

It may of been the compressor trying to start . If you try to restart one that was just running it has head pressure . It will equlize in a few minutes .

[shovenose]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

Thanks for the reassurances guys it's running fine again I was afraid it would blow up lol.

[goontron]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

^ well don't feel bad, not everybody has experience with HVAC.

[shovenose]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

^ well don't feel bad, not everybody has experience with HVAC.

This has led me to a brilliant idea! Rip compressor out of my fridge and stick it in my truck
and yes I'm not being serious

[kaboom]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

i guess the fridge kicked on at the same time i was using the microwave. my power strip clicked off.

You tripped the breaker in the strip, but...

i turned it back on

The compressor was just running and your system hadn't equalized yet, but you "short cycled" it. Those compressors won't start against a pressure differential- the motor stalls and draws locked rotor amps:

and thr fridge started making a horrible clunking/clicking noise.

"Hum-CLICK, hum-CLICK." The hum is that stalled motor, the click is the overload opening. Small compressors, such as used in your fridge, have external overloads and start-assists, which are usually PTC thermistors.

This is similar to the start device you have, except there's sometimes no capacitor, start or run, on those small fridges:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw37yFO5ZgQ

i unplugged it because i was worried something was damaged. should i try to plug it back in and see if it goes away?

They'll eventually restart after several cycles. Larger machines, like window aircons, have much higher LRA, so you're really supposed to have an equalizing delay (electronic controls), or simply "wait three minutes before restarting."

This has led me to a brilliant idea! Rip compressor out of my fridge and stick it in my truck
and yes I'm not being serious

(uh-oh, Shovey's being silly again!)




(aliexpress image)

The "DC24V" refers to the input voltage of the three phase inverter that powers it.

Isn't that neat? A little tiny compressor that runs on three phase AC!

[shovenose]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

http://whitetrashrepairs.com/

[kaboom]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

^ I see your WTR, and raise you one Red Green.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmL1cgxQvic

"Watch the light go on when I open the door- just like a fridge!"

[desert-rat]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

I will assume that Shovenose's fridge's compressor is the standard type and not like the 3 ph one in the pic. A 3 ph compressure would have lots of starting torque , and would have started with head pressure , but i would guess that the controll board for that 3 ph. compresure would have a timer keeping it from restarting for 3- 5 min. any way . All the newer dit. hvac thermostats have 5 min. timers in them for compresor safety .

[larrymoencurly]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

Is the clunking coming from inside the compressor, or is at one of its legs that sits on rubber bushings? Because a bad bushing can make a compressor clunk at start-up or turn-off.

[shovenose]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

Just an update, it started clicking a little bit again, I unplugged it for about a day (yes, I relocated the contents into the big fridge temporarily) and now it's fine again.

If it does it again it's getting returned.

[desert-rat]

Re: emerson mini fridge clunking noise after power outage

If the fridg. has a forced air cond. check , make sure its clean . A dirty condencer can run up the head pressure and might make the compressure make noise . If its a coil up the back or in the side walls , make sure its got air moving around it .