Temporary Fixes Can Jumpstart a Refrigeration System

Repairing refrigeration equipment can be very time-sensitive, especially if a customer has a case full of product that requires cooling. If the necessary repair part isn’t readily available, it could present a major issue for the customer. Without an alternative storage case or the option to rent portable storage, the customer risks losing their product. While this scenario is sometimes unavoidable, there are instances where a temporary fix or workaround can keep the system running until the replacement part arrives.

A common issue on freezers is an iced-up evaporator due to a defective timer, heater, termination switch, or safety control. If one of these components is not readily available, manually defrosting the coil will get the system up and running until the part arrives. Depending on the ambient temperature and humidity, the coil may only need to be defrosted every other day, assuming they limit the number of door openings to a minimum. We had a customer who needed a defrost heater on a walk-in freezer, but it needed to be ordered and would take a few days to come in. We had to go back and defrost the coil every other day to keep it operational. That was an extra expense to the customer, but one they were willing to pay to keep the case operational.

When the mechanical temperature control on a freezer fails to open, temporarily bypassing the temperature control may be a possible temporary fix. Generally, a freezer cannot get too cold. Always examine the system and make sure there are no other reasons why temporarily bypassing the temperature control would not be a good idea. For example, if it is an electronic controller that also controls the defrost cycle, bypassing it will present an issue with the operation of the case. Generally, it is not a good idea to leave most switches bypassed, especially a safety switch, as this leaves the system unprotected, which is not advisable.

Another common issue found on walk-in coolers and freezers is a failed condenser fan motor. If the motor is not readily available, setting up a temporary blower or fan to move air across the condenser may be a possible temporary solution. Of course, this will depend on the location of the condenser and how to secure the temporary fan. We occasionally have used a blower assembly from a residential furnace to move air across a condenser to get the system running until the motor is available. When installing the temporary fan, always check the high-side pressure to make sure the fan is moving enough air across the condenser to keep the high pressure within acceptable limits for the system.

When faced with these types of scenarios, look for a possible temporary fix or workaround to get the system operational again. Of course, make sure any temporary fix you use does not create a potentially dangerous situation for the equipment or the operator. Remember — safety first. Always.