Leer ice chest not cooling enough

[Stormin Mormon]

I had a cooler driving me nuts a couple weeks ago.

Leer ice merchandiser. Ourdoor unit. On the sun side of the building, which wasn't helping.

When I got there, it would be fine. Nice and cold. The store owner and also my contact at the company both told me the ice was melting. But it wasn't happening when I was there.

Behaved like the condensor was dirty. The usual "not releasing heat". But, I'd cleaned it with compressed air, water, coil cleaner, etc.

This was one of the rare "defrost" boxes. Fan (one fan) through evaporator, and defrost timer. Heater, and drain line to drain out the back of the box. Most of the boxes on my route are coldwall. The defrost boxes tend to be older, and tend to be R-12 units.

Finally, I tried something else, and then think I've figured out the problem. OK, with the accumulated wisdom of this group.... what was wrong?

[The Daring Dufas]

Is it controlled by a pressure switch instead of a thermostat?

TDD

[.p.jm.]

The ice is not supposed to melt.

Don't confuse the boy. He's still wondering if ice is supposed to melt.

[Stormin Mormon]

Rather simple thermostat. In this case, the stat is in the evaporator housing. The stat probe should be in contact wtih the evaporator. I can't remember if it was. I reached around and felt, the coil was not frozen solid, and there was reasonably good air flow through the evaporator fins.

[Grumpy]

Hey Storrmin: I have 50# seal jug of R-12 I will sale to you for half of current price isn't a bargain let me know if you wanted?

[Stormin Mormon]

You know, I do work on R-12 equipment. Not sure if I can afford today's prices for the stuff. Should I send you an email, off list?

[Stormin Mormon]

From what I could tell, the ancient compressor was worn out. 1/3 HP compressor, running about 7.5 amps. Aparently, the refrigeration system was trying to remove the excess friction heat from the compressor, in addition to cooling the box. So, it wasn't removing enough BTU fron the box.

[Grumpy]

PLEASE DO

[ghan aryal]

replying to Stormin Mormon, ghan aryal wrote: Ice cooler is enough cooling .. ice bags are gradually melting , what do i do?

[ghan aryal]

replying to Stormin Mormon, ghan aryal wrote: Ice cooler is enough cooling .. ice bags are gradually melting , what do i do?

[Scott Lurndal]

Unfortunately, Stormy passed away on the roof of a Walgreens two years ago.

[PaxPerPoten]

Can someone recommend a good Necromancer or a Seancer to this fellow. Stormy is in some level of Mormon Heaven at this time.

[Victor]

Could have been several things. One the fan motor not turning fast enough or even stopping from time to time. Another low on refrigerant. The last and the one I see the most was over filling the box. The thermostat is behind the fan on the older mods. It cools the top part. Turn off the comp because it is only circulating the air around the evap. Also check the door gasket on that side