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Easy way to check out an inverter compressor


Inverter compressors can run really smoothly and quietly these days -- so quietly that it can be hard to tell if they're running at all, let alone if they're running properly. So if our ears and hands can't tell us what's up, what do we do to test these compressors?

Time to apply our brains and our meters: we're going to use the schematic and some simple electrical measurements with our ammeter and our multimeter to know if the compressor is running. 

Step 1 is to use the schematic to identify the pins on the main control which connect to the inverter. That'll be the power supply and PWM speed signal going to the inverter.

Step 2 is to use our amp clamp to see if there are any amps moving through the compressor's circuit. Remember: these ain't yo mamma's old split-phase compressors, so the amps might be way lower than you would think!

Step 3 is to check the frequency of the PWM signal line. Hisense doesn't give a Hz spec for this just that the frequency should be stable, which we can see on our DMM.

Is it possible to have volts going to the inverter and a stable PWM frequency but the compressor still doesn't run? Yep! Simple test is to check your amps. If no amps to the inverter, that means the compressor ain't doin' nuttin'. Once again, amps is our hero! 

Want to learn to troubleshoot like a pro? Check out the Core Appliance Repair Training course at the Master Samurai Tech Academy.

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Slav

Posted

Nice video!

The connector where you measured frequency can be checked for a small, steady voltage around ~ 5 VDC instead of Hz, right?

  • Team Samurai
Son of Samurai

Posted

13 hours ago, Slav said:

Nice video!

The connector where you measured frequency can be checked for a small, steady voltage around ~ 5 VDC instead of Hz, right?

Very good question!

if you measure the voltage for the PWM signal, your meter will show a stable voltage that’s somewhere between 2 to 4 VDC. This is because your meter takes the average of the square wave.

  • Like 3
goliad

Posted

Does the inverter change the ac volts to dc volts?

Slav

Posted

42 minutes ago, goliad said:

Does the inverter change the ac volts to dc volts?

Not really. A Rectifier changes AC to DC. 

An Inverter converts it back to AC volts.

  • Like 2
Koi Guy

Posted

I’m guessing that the “to be continued…” will include testing the defrost circuit components. 😉

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

2 hours ago, Koi Guy said:

I’m guessing that the “to be continued…” will include testing the defrost circuit components. 😉

Yep, and testing the thermistors. Plan is to make a short series of videos showing the basic troubleshooting tests on common technology we work with: BLDC motors, inverters, thermistors, heating elements, and AC motors. All simple tests that every tech should know but, alas, I think many do not. So maybe these'll hep'em.

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