Meridian Boise Appliance Repair - Refrigerator Defrost Operation

I am the owner of Western Boise Appliance Repair with two location in Boise and one in Meridian idaho.  I'd like to share some thoughts or actually, to give some advice and enlightenment on the defrost operation on most side by side, bottom-mount, top-mount refrigerators.  Many brands of refrigerators operate on the same principles whether they are GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, Sears, or Frigidaire. Here we go, to put in a nutshell, the refrigerator evaporator, which in most cases is located in the Freezer, absorbs heat from the inside of the Freezer.  Think of the refrigerant as tiny sponges that are flowing through the evaporator that will absorb the heat.  Thinking in layman's terms like this will make understanding this a lot easier.  Ok, the evaporator coils absorb the heat and has it does, it causes condensation on the evaporator coils.  This condensation quickly freezes on the refrigerator coils and turns into frost.  The more the freezer and refrigerator doors are opened and closed, the more air and moisture enters the refrigerator/freezer.  The more moisture, the more frost.  If there wasn't a way to get rid of that frost, your freezer evaporator area would turn into one big blog of frost or ice.  Now we'll talk about the defrost operation.
Engineers had to devise a way to defrost the evaporator coils and still allow cooling in the refrigerator.  Most early refrigerator models use a timer, heater, bi-metal combination.  I'll talk about each one of these separate:
Heater:  On most models, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, a heater bar is positioned on the bottom of the evaporator.  The compressor turns off and AC current flows through the heater to make it glow red hot and to radiate heat.  Since heat rises, it radiates upward to melt all the frost off the refrigerator appliance's evaporator coils.  Well, this heat can't go on forever otherwise we would cause the refrigerator/freezer to warm.  So, enter the appliance's timer mechanism.
Timer:  Approximately every 8 hours, the timer will switch off AC Power from the compressor and switch it to the heater.  The duration is controlled by the timer, usually 20-30 minutes.  When the 20-30 minute defrost has been completed, the timer switches AC Power from the heater, back to the appliance's compressor , evaporator and condenser fan motors.
Bi-Metal:  The refrigerator's bimetal acts as a "safety" to guarantee the evaporator does not get too warm.  It is usually located at the top of the evaporator.  To be plain, it is actually a switch/thermostat wired in series with the defrost heater and it is engineered to open and close at a predetermined temperature.  It closes when it is cold and it opens the circuit when it's warm, usually from 35-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hope this helps some of your appliance repair questions and you can always visit us for more topics and articles.

Washer - Dryer Motor Windings Clean | Western Appliance Repair Meridian

Cleaning Washer and Dryer Motor Windings:

Most trouble with Washer and Dryer motor windings can be blamed on dirt, grease, and moisture which create such an undesirable conduction medium which may result in a breakdown of insulation.  Dirt and grease collected on the inner and outer surfaces of electrical units prevent proper circulation of air and conduction of heat to the outer surfaces and air.  This could cause the appliance motor to overheat and decrease the life of your appliance.  It is, therefore, very important that all accumulations of dirt, grease, and moisture be removed.  The best means of cleaning motors and generators are air pressure, vacuum suction, and grease solvents.

Air pressure, reversing a vacuum cleaner and blowing dust off the windings is the most satisfactory device.

Vacuum suction, use a vacuum cleaner or hose to remove grit, carbon, iron, and copper dust.  Be sure the hose is not made of metal.

Rich - Western Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho

Automatic Washing Machines - Western Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho

Automatic washers offer various cycles of operation.  Provisions for soaking, rates of agitation, lengths of washing time, rates of spinning, and kind and number of rinses differ among models such as whirlpool, kenmore, maytag, and ge.  Here, however, are the basic operations common to all automatic washers.

Soaking clothes in a washer:
In some washing machines, separate user settings are provided for a soak cycle.  The clothes are agitated about in warm or cold water in the same manner as for washing.  Water is extracted and drained at the end of the soak cycle.  The user setting may have to be reset to start the regular washing machine cycle.  If there is not a user control setting for soak, the wash setting can be used with warm water, and after the water has be drained, the setting will be reset for the regular wash cycle.

Western Appliance Repair Meridian
email
Meridian, Idaho 83642
208-599-1086
http://www.western-appliance.com

Refrigerator Defrost System | Method of Operation

http://www.western-appliance.com
Refrigerator Defrost System
When opening the refrigerator and freezer doors repeatedly to add and remove food you also let warm moist air enter the interior compartment.  The humidity from this warm air gets attracted the refrigerator evaporator coils and will freeze directly to the coils.  This will form a uniform frost layer to the outside of coils.  If too much frost builds up on these coils, airflow will be restricted and the evaporator cannot absorb heat from the interior compartment.  The result will be the freezer operating at a lower temperature and a partial or full restriction in cold air flow to the refrigerator.
To prevent too much frost from collecting on the evaporator coils, a self-defrosting refrigerator will actually stop itself for approx 20 minutes every six to twelve hours to melt off this frost.  This defrost cycle is switched off and on by an electric defrost timer or electronic ADC board.  The timer stops the compressor and switches current to an electric defrost heater located directly beneath most evaporator coils.  When the heater is energized the heat is radiated upwards to melt the frost.  The frost water drains into a pan located at the bottom of the evaporator and is diverted through a tube into little pan which is located on the bottom of most refrigerators.  Most Maytag, Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire models will have this type of system. The condenser fan circulates warm air across the water filled pan and evaporates the drain water before the next defrost cycle.
If all the frost melts before the defrost timer finishes the defrost cycle, a terminating thermostat, or bimetal, will keep the defrost heater from overheating the evaporator compartment. When the freezer compartment reaches a fixed temperature, the terminating thermostat will open the circuit and shut off the electricity to the defrost heater.
Many of the later electronic refrigerators incorporate an electronic device called an adaptive defrost control board.  This electronic control board provides the same function of the defrost timer but adds a new element to save energy and to adjust the defrost cycles to “adapt” to customer usage.  The adaptive defrost board monitors how many times the door is opened and closed.  The more the refrigerator doors are opened and closed, the more humidity has entered the compartment.  The more humidity that has entered the refrigerator the more frost that has accumulated thus the “period” between each defrost cycle will be reduced.
For refrigerator repair boise needs, whether it be Whirlpool, Kenmore, GE, Maytag, or Frigidaire, please contact Western Appliance Repair. We offer the following services:
Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho
Appliance Repair Kuna Idaho
Appliance Repair Star Idaho
Appliance Repair Eagle Idaho
Appliance Repair Boise Idaho
208-599-1086

Washer Repair Meridian Idaho | Washing Machine Water Level Control

http://www.western-appliance.com/

Washer | Washing Machine | Water Level Control

Regardless of the brand or design of water level switch used on Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, GE, Frigidaire washers, it’s main function is to control the amount of water that enters the tub. As soon as the correct water level is reached in the washer, the switch completes a circuit to the timer motor, machine motor and agitator control.

During the fill portion of the washing machine cycle, a circuit is completed through the pressure switch contacts to either one or both of the water control valves on the water inlet, permitting water to enter the washing machine.. since the timer motor does not operate until the proper water level is reached, not operating time is lost during the fill process.

Earlier models of washers used a float-type switch to control water level in the washer. Because they are now obsolete we’ll keep our discussion to the pressure-type of water level switches.

Modern washers now use a pressure-type switch. A hose is connected to an air bell on the bottom of the outer tub. It then connects to the pressure switch – which is usually mounted behind the control panel. As the washer is filled with water, an air pocket is formed in the plastic hose. As the water rises in the tub, the air pressure in the tube increases until it is sufficient to cause the diaphragm in the pressure switch to actuate the switch contacts; thus, opening the circuit to the water control solenoid, or valve, and stopping the flow of water into the washer. As the water drains out of the tub the air pressure in the hose gradually decreases allowing the pressure switch diaphragm to reset the switch contacts.

For all your Meridian Appliance Repair Idaho needs, choose Western Appliance Repair.  208-599-1086

Western Appliance Repair | Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho

If you would like some money saving tips to keep your appliance in top condition then this video may be helpful.  Our goal at Western Appliance Repair in Meridian Idaho is to provide the most solid, professional appliance repair service here in the treasure valley.  Whether it be washers, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, or other, we can fix it. 208-599-1086

White Film on Dishes - Dishwasher Help

http://www.western-appliance.com
White film may form on glassware and dishes when using phosphate-free dishwasher detergent.

Dishwasher detergent manufacturers are phasing in a new phosphate-free formula to comply with various EPA regulations that became effective July 1, 2010. This switch to the new formula has been gradually happening since late 2009 and is continuing to the present.

Phosphates are added to dishwasher detergents to remove minerals from the water and thus improve dishwasher performance. Many detergents that do not include phosphates in their formula tend to leave mineral deposits on glassware, plastic items, pots and pans. It also causes poor wash performance and many complaints.

The deposits are in the form of a white film on glassware and other items, even the interior of the dishwasher itself. The white film is often mistaken to be a problem with the dishwasher instead of the detergent. All phosphate-free dishwasher detergent formulas appear to have this issue. Some appear to have this problem more than others.

Testing has shown that packs and tablets perform better than some powder or gel detergents.

If a white film develops on glassware, then we can safely assume that phosphate-free detergent is the problem.

The easiest way to remove the white mineral film or build-up is to run the glassware and dishware through a dishwasher cycle using citric acid additive. There is a citric acid kit made by GE. The part no. is WD35X151. Pour the mixture in the detergent cup and close the cover and let it disperse normally in the dishwasher cycle.

Place the glassware and dishware in the dishwasher. Remove silverware and other metal items out of the dishwasher and run the cycle with the additive. Turn the dishwasher on and let it run through a cycle with the citric acid and without detergent. The dishes and glassware should come out sparkling.

Dishwasher manufacturers are working to resolve the phosphate-free filming issue but the problems are likely to be with us for a long while. Dishwasher owners may want to repeat the citric acid rinse several times a year to reduce the mineral buildup on dishes.

Some other important things to remember when you’re preparing the dishwasher for the wash cycle are:

1. Run your kitchen sink hot water faucet for at least 1 minute or until maximum temperature is achieved. This will help reduce any white film deposits on dishes or glassware. For the best cleaning performance dishwasher manufacturers recommend a water temperature of at least 140 degrees F as it enters the dishwasher tub.

2. Remove seeds, nuts and plastics from bowls and plates before loading the dishwasher. Seeds and nuts do not break down easily and tend to clog filters and strainers, eventually restricting the water circulation and water pressure to the spray arm jets.

3. Do not load any plates, pots, pans, or any other large objects or dishes directly in front of the dishwasher soap dispenser. The spray-arm water flow must be allowed to flow and spray freely to dissipate the detergent in the dispenser.

See more information at Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho website http://www.western-appliance.com We also do
Whirlpool Repair Meridian Idaho, Maytag Repair Meridian Idaho.
208-599-1086