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How to Troubleshoot the New Inverter Compressor Refrigerators


Samurai Appliance Repair Man

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The new inverter compressors ain't like the old skool compressors used in yo momma's beer cooler. Oh, they still do the same basic job-- pump refrigerant vapor. But you have to troubleshoot them differently from the old skool compressors. In their quest to comply with increasingly onerous Energy Star requirements, all the appliance manufacturers are producing refrigerator models that use inverter compressors. Like it or not, inverter compressors are here to stay. Many a fine tech has been befuddled by these new compressor systems but not you! For the Samurai shall reveal the truth unto thee, and the truth shall set thee free.

Conventional Old Skool Compressors

Before we talk about how these inverter compressors work and and how to troubleshoot them, let's quickly review the old skool compressors so it's fresh in our mind when we compare with how the inverter compressors work.

In the conventional compressor technology that's been around for decades, the compressor has a start winding to help kick things off and a main (or run) winding that keeps the compressor going after it's started. A start relay and sometimes a start capacitor are used to momentarily power the start winding and then take it out of the circuit once the compressor is up and running. The compressor runs off standard, single-phase, 60 Hz 120vac.

If the start relay fails, the compressor will sit there trying but failing to start and drawing locked rotor (LR) current. Where the normal operating current draw on a conventional compressor is somewhere between 1 and 2 amps, LR current could be somewhere north of 8 amps. All that current makes heat, lots of heat. As the compressor sits there straining to start, it starts boiling the oil and burning the varnish insulation on the motor windings. If this goes on for very long, the compressor will literally self destruct (internally) from all the heat.

To prevent this unhappy scenario, the engineers added an overload device that's used to kill power to the compressor if something goes wrong, like a bad start relay, open compressor start winding, bad internal bearing, or a seized piston inside the compressor that prevents it from starting correctly. The idea being that if the problem is just a bad start relay (very common), this can be repaired easily and inexpensively compared to replacing the entire compressor (or refrigerator).

If you were to measure the resistance of the start winding and the main (or run) winding, you would find that the start winding has a  higher resistance than the run winding.

A common troubleshooting technique with these old skool compressors is to rig up a test cord and manually power the compressor to see if it'll run. More details on compressor test cords here: http://appliantology.org/blog/1/entry-669-rigging-and-using-a-compressor-test-cord-to-manually-operate-a-compressor/

Once they're up and running, these old skool, compressors run at the same speed and move the same amount of refrigerant vapor per minute. In other words, their refrigerant capacity and motor RPM is constant the entire time it's running. They can't work "harder," just longer.

So, let's summarize the old skool compressors:

- has two windings, a start and a run winding, which are physically different windings and have different resistances; the start winding has higher resistance than the run winding

- runs off standard 120vac household power

- uses a start relay to initially power the start winding and then take it out of the circuit after the compressor is up and running

- can rig up a test cord to directly power the compressor

- are constant capacity and speed machines

Keep all this in mind as we now look at the new inverter compressors...

Inverter Compressor Systems

Although inverter compressors do the exact same thing as the old skool compressors-- pump refrigerant vapor-- and they physically move the vapor the same way-- through a vapor-compression cycle-- they are powered and controlled very differently.

For one thing, inverter compressors use a special three-phase voltage produced by a special control board called an inverter. Fuggetabout 120 VAC, 60 Hz line voltage. We're not in Kansas anymore, boys and girls! Both the amplitude (amount) and frequency of the input voltage will vary. Typical specs are 80 to 230 VAC with the frequency ranging anywhere from 57 to 104 Hz. The higher the frequency, the faster the inverter compressor will run.

So, inverter compressors, unlike their old skool forebearers, really can work harder. In fact, this is exactly why the manufacturers are using these inverter compressor systems; they can match how hard the compressor needs to work to the actual refrigeration work needed to keep the beer cold. By doing it this way, the compressor draws less power and the manufacturers can meet the Energy Star requirements.

Inverter compressors have three windings, not just two like the old skool units. All three windings should have the exact same resistance. If the resistances vary from each other by as much as a 1 ohm, the compressor will not run correctly. In fact, this is one of the ways of checking an inverter compressor: making sure that all three windings have the exact same resistance. Check the manufacturer's spec for what that exact resistance reading should be. This is different from the old skool compressors with just two windings and the start winding has a much higher resistance than the run winding.

Remember how a common troubleshooting trick with the old skool compressors is to power it directly with a test cord and see if it starts? Don't try that on these inverter compressors because you'll permanently break it. If you're a professional Appliantologist and you do this on a service call, you just bought your customer a new refrigerator!

Let's summarize the inverter compressors:

- have three windings, not just two; all three windings have the exact same resistance

- does not use a start relay/overload device

- runs off a special voltage produced by an inverter board; the voltage varies in both magnitude and frequency: the higher the frequency, the faster the compressor runs

- variable capacity, variable speed

- cannot directly power the compressor (well, you could but you'd regret it)

Troubleshooting Inverter Compressor Systems

If you're working on an inverter compressor system where the compressor isn't running, you can't power an inverter compressor directly to test it. But you can (and should!) check the resistances in all three windings to rule out an open winding. If the compressor windings check good, this is not diagnostically conclusive that the compressor itself is good. But if, OTOH, the winding resistances are imbalanced or one of them is open, this is diagnostically conclusive that the compressor is bad.

Okay, so let's say the compressor windings check good but it's not running. Now what?

Now you have to check the inverter board itself. There are two different tests you can do on the inverter board to see if it's good or not:

1. Check for good input voltages.

An Inverter board will have two different input voltages:

- 120 VAC main power supply

- 4 to 6 VDC control voltage from the main control board (or Muthaboard-- a completely separate circuit board in the refrigerator)

If you're missing one of these voltages, the inverter board can't run the compressor. You'll need to backtrack and find the missing voltage. Could be a bad wire harness connector, bad muthaboard, etc. BTW, make all voltage measurements with everything CONNECTED. Otherwise, you'll get different readings that could be misleading.

OTOH, if you're getting both of these input voltages to the inverter and the compressor isn't running (and you've already checked the compressor winding resistances), then you need to do this next test:

2. Check the current draw on the 120 VAC power supply.

- Disconnect the 120 VAC power supply from the inverter board.

- Connect your amp meter around one of the wires supplying 120 VAC to the inverter board (doesn't matter which one).

- Reconnect the 120 VAC power supply to the inverter board and watch your amp meter.

If the meter stays at 0 amps, the inverter board is toast-- it's not even trying to start the compressor.

If you see the current draw jump to say 4 amps (typical LR current in these inverter compressors) and then drop off, keep watching. Most inverter boards will repeatedly try to power up the compressor. On GE refrigerators, for example, the inverter will try to start the compressor 12 consecutive times. If the compressor fails to start, the inverter will timeout for 8 minutes and then try again. Other manufacturers may have different test schemes but the idea is the same: if the inverter is working properly, you'll see activity on your amp meter as the inverter tries to do its job.

In the video below, I demonstrate troubleshooting an inverter compressor system on a GE refrigerator. The only thing I didn't show in the video is checking the inverter board's current draw. 

 

Here's the replacement inverter board I used to fix this refrigerator: http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Inverter-Board/WR55X11138/2443233

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Excellent vid, Samurai! I have run into a couple of these types of refrigerators but passed them on to other companies because I was not sure how to go about servicing them. One question: how do you remove the inverter board from the compressor? In the video, the board was already un-mounted from the compressor (around 2:40), but it wasn't shown how to remove it from the side of the compressor.

Thanks for posting this, I learned a lot from it!

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  • Team Samurai
Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

The perverter board is held on by a single mounting screw that you remove and then  lift the board off the compressor retaining flange.  It's really easy.  Once you look at it in real-life, you'll see.  

 

As for the technology, don't be intimidated by it!  I've explained everything you really need to know in the post.  

 

BTW, the technology used in these variable capacity compressor (VCC) systems is the exact same technology used in front load washers: and inverter board (variously called a "speed control board" or a "motor control unit") that makes a 3-phase voltage to control a special type of motor.  In both cases, the motor has three windings with all the exact same resistance.  FL washers and VCC fridges use the exact same technology.  If you can fix one, you can fix the other.  

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HI Samurai, I am a student also and love your site . Recently I struggled with a ge profile fridge side by side  and the complaint was both freezer and fresh food sections are warm. I observed that both evaporator and condensor fans were operating normally. I checked the compressor and the compressor was room temperature and I realized the compressor was not working. I checked the J15 connector at the mother board and at the connection going into the inverter board for the out going DC voltage and I was reading a fluctuating DC voltage from 4.2 to 5.6  ,  4.5 to 5.4  .  4.6 to 5.4 etc.  it was fluctuating back and forth from 4.2 to 5.6 DC volts. It was not a steady reading like the dc reading you were getting when I watched your informational video .   Now at this point I assumed that the reading was ok  because it was in the 4.6 DC range  even though the reading was fluctuating up and down on my meter. so the next step I checked was the compressor and the compressor readings on all 3 pins were 9.6 ohms each so I assumed that the compressor was ok. I also verified that the inverter board was receiving 120V ac . I replaced the inverter board at this point thinking it was the problem and after installing a new inverter board the refridgerator issue was still the same and the compressor was still not working. Now i am thinking that I mis diagnosed the issue and it needs a mother board instead. any thoughts as to where I mis diagnosed the issue.   I am thinking that the initial fluctuating DC readings I was getting from the J15 connector on the mother board is where I made the mistake but not positive if the fluctuating reading is correct or not.  I heard that also these inverters needed a good 20 to 25 minutes before the would energize the compressor up and run normal after replacing one and that I should try plugging the fridge back in and wait at least 25 minutes to see if the compressor will kick in. not sure about that info. either.  I did make sure that the cooling system settings were set to the ON position at the dispenser board also.  short of me going back to this fridge and plugging it in and leaving it for a half hr plugged in to see if the compressor kicks in or replacing the mother board now , I am a little stumped.  Any body have any thoughts on this issue.

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

Good troubleshooting, Darren! Based on what you're reporting and the measurements you did, I would have suspected the inverter, too.  A confirming test is to use a phase rotation tester to see if the inverter is actually producing all three phases. These are inexpensive testers that you can buy here: http://amzn.to/1huTIVJ

 

The fluctuating DC voltage on the data line to from the motherboard to the inverter it normal because your meter is actually averaging out the pulse width modulated (PWM) data signal. 

 

Also, check the frequency on the PWM line. The frequency will vary according to how fast the motherboard wants to the compressor to run.  

 

The inverter does not need 20 to 25 minutes before it energizes. It does what it's told by the motherboard. If the mobo is telling it to make the compressor run via the PWM data line, it sends three-phase operating voltage to the compressor. 

 

It's possible you're dealing with a bad compressor. Unfortunately, there's no way to check this other that by testing the resistance of the three windings, which you did. 

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I ended up replacing the MO BOard and I got the compressor to run. Whats strange though is I could barely feel or hear the compressor running when it was and one of the ways I could definitely tell it was running was to put the tip of a long Philips screw driver to the compressor tank and then the handle end to my ear lobe. I was able to barely here it running but it was sounding like it was running. I'm not sure if these variable speed compressors always run this quit but it did.  Needless to say it never cooled and at this point I was diagnosing the fridge to have a refrigerant leak some where in the system. Thanks for getting back .  Could you tell me how the Phase Rotation tester is used on the inverter to check it.  I will pick one up as you suggested Samurai. I am just not sure how to use it. and what phases I should be looking for ??

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

Odd finding that the MOBO was bad. 

 

They're like voltage checkers but with extra leads for two other voltages (phases). It lets you see at a glance if each phase is present. In this case, if the MOBO really was bad, then the phase rotation tester wouldn't have shown you anything new because the inverter wasn't putting anything out apparently due to a bad PWM signal from the MOBO.

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How would you hook up the phase rotation tester, at he plug on the compressor?

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On 11/27/2013 at 4:42 PM, Samurai Appliance Repair Man said:

The perverter board is held on by a single mounting screw that you remove and then  lift the board off the compressor retaining flange.  It's really easy.  Once you look at it in real-life, you'll see.  

 

As for the technology, don't be intimidated by it!  I've explained everything you really need to know in the post.  

 

BTW, the technology used in these variable capacity compressor (VCC) systems is the exact same technology used in front load washers: and inverter board (variously called a "speed control board" or a "motor control unit") that makes a 3-phase voltage to control a special type of motor.  In both cases, the motor has three windings with all the exact same resistance.  FL washers and VCC fridges use the exact same technology.  If you can fix one, you can fix the other.  

Your absolutely correct in not being intimidated by it Samurai.   I have run into two  f28  whirlpool frontloads in the last two years and applied the technics you mentioned from one of your posts I checked out a while back on F28 errors.  One washer I was nervous about diagnosing it when I got their and dont you know the guy was behind me watching every move I made on top of that.   Needless to say I stayed calm and took notes from your post on the spec readings and had them handy.  I diagnosed a bad tachometer for the motor. I replaced the motor and the repair was completed.        The second washer I diagnosed the main control on top was bad. I was not getting the 5 volts dc (VCC)   coming from the main board up top. I had My 120V coming into the motor control at the MS2 connection   The only thing I struggled with at first was not knowing which two of the  3 wires on that MI3 blue wire harness connection, that I was supposed to be getting my measurment from. The newer schematics  including the one for this washer does not have an indication on which line was the VCC line.  the schematics are not clear which line is the 5 volt dc (vcc) input.  It just shows three wires connected to the CCU.   Older front load whirlpool washer schematics show wich one is the VCC and Neutral line for getting the measurements.  I think if I remember correctly it was the MI3 #2 and #3 pin connections. Its crazy I dont remember but I always say to myself I will just research it again if another one pops up.  Either way I followed your directions to a T and solved both washer issues.

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How to test the Inverter board in lg fridge that has one board combining motherboard and inveter board,and how many wires should come down to the compressor in this lg system ? 

Thank you

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  • Team Samurai
Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

 

3 hours ago, A Plus said:

how many wires should come down to the compressor in this lg system ? 

Are you talking about a linear compressor or a BLDC compressor? Either way, the go-to document for this is the schematic. 
 

 

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