View Full Version : And so it begins...
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 03:53 PM
Been browsing the forums a lot lately and reading up to find out as much as i can about phase change cooling and took the first step today.
Friend of mine kindly donated a fully working fridge/freezer combi that i'm gonna strip for parts in the next day or two. I'll have a few pics and i'm sure a lot of questions. Quite excited about it all dispite the rediculously bad timings (busy exam week)
HawainPanda
06-06-2004, 04:03 PM
ah, nice...good luck!
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 04:09 PM
Originally posted by HawainPanda
ah, nice...good luck!
cheers mate, it's gonna be quite a long drawn out project cuz i'm away all summer, but it's good to get it started while i can
megahurtz-oc
06-06-2004, 04:15 PM
dude love the foster grants. reminds me of magnum pi all you need now is mustache. just meesin with ya
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 04:21 PM
Originally posted by megahurtz-oc
dude love the foster grants. reminds me of magnum pi all you need now is mustache. just meesin with ya
lol, well i though it was about time i got an avatar on the go. got plenty more pics of me looking stupid to change it to as well.
HawainPanda
06-06-2004, 04:28 PM
lol, i like ur pic...nice glasses, do u already have the tools? gas?
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 04:55 PM
Originally posted by HawainPanda
lol, i like ur pic...nice glasses, do u already have the tools? gas?
pics proving popular :-)
no don't have the tools yet, might try and get some of the basics over the next couple of weeks but i think i'll leave most of it till after the summer. Havn't looked into gas to much yet because i havnt decided which i wanna use. Obviously performance is important but so is cost (and to a certain extent safty, havnt done a lot of work with gas before and i don't wanna blow my head off)
Blaster
06-06-2004, 05:45 PM
humm, are u sure u can get gases without being a certified technician?
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 07:17 PM
Originally posted by Blaster
humm, are u sure u can get gases without being a certified technician?
nope but i can try, know a couple of the lecturers in the thermo department who i'm sure could help me out/point me in the right direction
HawainPanda
06-06-2004, 07:32 PM
u can always get propane :P, hmmm..but that's a good question...but i see some people..dunno whether theyre cert techs...with tanks of refrigerant
fr33ze
06-06-2004, 07:36 PM
yeah propane is easy enough, i'm sure i'll be able to source some refrigirant when the time comes, one step at a time though. gotta build the bloody thing first
runmc
06-06-2004, 07:38 PM
Please ask questions pertaining to phase change and or make your post informative. This is not a chat forum!
fr33ze
06-07-2004, 12:34 PM
Sorry runmc
some pics...
the fridge that i was given
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/fr33ze-PICT0770.JPG
the compressor in situe
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/fr33ze-PICT0769.JPG
not surprisingly it runs on R134a, need to find out what other refrigirants it can run though, anybody got any links that give compressor info??
and the progress i've made so far
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/fr33ze-PICT0771.JPG
Tried to get the whole thing out just to get a better understanding of what everthing looks like and how a phase change system works with the possibility of playing around with it to make a make shift chiller. Unfortunately the evap is well and truely hidden under a load of polyurethane so it's gonna be a git to get out. Can't make up my mind weather to just wait till i get some pipe cutters or continue to persist.
runmc
06-07-2004, 02:00 PM
Very cool find, thanks for the pics.
I hope we can help you when the time comes.:D
fr33ze
06-10-2004, 11:59 AM
Quick question for those in the know, if i remove a compressor, i'll probably just cut pipes, (i know i should recover the refrigirant but i dont really have the money to but the equipement for that) will i have to seal up the ends of the cut pipes or can i leave them open to the atmosphere.
I was gonna try and remove the whole unit from the above pics but it's proving too tricky, that things really wrapped around the insides and everything and sooooo much foam.
an axe can be your best friend, just dont cut too loose:CTF:
fr33ze
06-11-2004, 12:46 AM
don't fancy doing it with an axe cuz i recon i'd cut though some of the pipes and if i do that then i'm kinda defeating the point.
any body got an answer as to weather i have to seal up the open copper tubes on a compressor after removing it from a fridge or if i can leave them open to the elements.
best to leave them closed, crimp shut and tape over, the moisture collects in the oil
with the axe i cut along one side and pulled the tin out so i could get inside
chilly1
06-11-2004, 07:52 AM
Don't open the system until you are going to reseal it. Use an inert dry gas on top of the compressor...
The oil (polyolester is hugroscopic, in other words it will absorb moisture from the air, it will also suck moisture through plastic. Neoprene and a hose clamp will work...
chilly1
06-11-2004, 07:56 AM
Originally posted by kayl
best to leave them closed, crimp shut and tape over, the moisture collects in the oil
with the axe i cut along one side and pulled the tin out so i could get inside
Quite a visual there "Eugene" with the ax:D :D :D
Talk about xtreme mods, did you get pics with the ax action, make a video next time:D :D
fr33ze
06-11-2004, 08:09 AM
cheers guys, thought that might be the case, need to wait a bit till i can get the compressor out.
OT:
I tried to get the foam out with a big kitchen knife and ended up just using it as a throwing knife, sticks into the foam a treat. God knows what i'd end up doing if i used an axe and got frustrated
chilly1
06-11-2004, 08:15 AM
Ok we gotta lock up the silver ware tray! and the wood shed...:D