Chest Freezer Not working

[topperdude]

Hello,

Earlier this week, my wife noticed food (ice-cream) in our Haier branded chest freezer (located in garage), model HF50CM23NW, was melted and the freezer was not working as expected. The plug seemed lose and suspecting the kids' snow sled might have somehow knocked it loose she plugged it back in. It has been fairly warm last couple weeks (close to 90s) in the upper-midwest so we guessed the freezer (specifically compressor) may have been running overtime as there seemed to be fair amount of heat coming out from the vents where the electrical components are installed. However, about an hour later, when we checked again, the compressor was still not running. So we transferred the food into the camping coolers with ice and started some investigations.

Findings so far:
1. With thermostat set roughly mid-way, if the unit is plugged in, the unit makes a (faint but audible) clicking sound roughly every 20-30 seconds.
2. Another 5 seconds or so after the first click, it makes a second (slight louder) clicking sound and then the cycle repeats.
3. The compressor does not turn on even after the unit has been plugged for close to an hour.

I tried contacting few local appliance repair guys and they are either booked at least couple weeks out or charging more than the unit cost to even stop by for a diagnosis, let alone any fix. Plus with COVID affecting my job and uncertainty related to that going forward, we felt it might be worth looking into whether we can resolve this on our own. That's when my wife recalled the excellent guidance we got here with our Bosch washer few years back. I have taken few photos showing the schematics, components and their layout in the chest freezer but not sure how to attach them here - the "Insert Image from URL" option does not seem to work with public links to photos stored in Google Drive? Thoughts on how I can share the photos here?

Based on some online research (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkZCWB7axaU), the overall circuit seems fairly straightforward to both of us (we studied and have basic electrical engg knowledge although that is not our profession). As we understand, the most common causes for the symptoms we are observing could be either:
1. Overload protection circuit (start relay?) could have blown while protecting the compressor.
2. The compressor could be "seized?" - in which case it might be cost prohibitive to repair as replacement compressors cost more than a new unit. How can we confirm whether this might (or might not) be the case?

I also wanted to check the relay (as shown by SamuraiRepairman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9rTcmJRywk )  and doing the "shake test" but it looks like the relay cover is held down by two screws - one of which is behind the "running capacitor" as you can see in one of the photos.

Based on the cyclical clicking sounds and compressor not running at all, I would appreciate next steps in further diagnosing and fixing the problem.

I am also wondering if I should test the "Running capacitor" before disconnecting it from rest of circuit so we can access the screw holding down the box that is housing the start relay/overload protection circuit? If so, how can we test the capacitor?

I also checked on RepairClinic (referred to previously here) for parts but they do not seem to carry the exact relay. So someone elsewhere suggested trying the Supco RCO810 that seems to have been used successfully by others that have the same compressor as my freezer (ZEL HDL140D with R600a?).
 
Thank you in advance for any advice,
-Topper

[topperdude]

While I am unable to add images to my posts, I wanted to post a link to a different forum that has a photo that looks nearly identical to the one I took on my freezer (see post #5):

https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/if71cm33nw-idylis-7-cu-ft-freezer-start-relay.76247/

Only differences I noticed between the schematics of the freezer in that link and mine:

1. My freezer does not have the section for Hgn - Green lamp

2. Refrigerant on my freezer reads R600a, 1.76Oz (as opposed to R600a, 1.98Oz as in the link)

Hope this provides bit more helpful info about my freezer's specs.

Thanks again in advance,

-Topper

[J5*]

Sure sounds like the compressor is siezed and the clicking you hear is the overload 

touch the compressor , is it hot ?
 

 

[topperdude]

Thank you for the response and input, J5*! 

No, the compressor is not hot at all (although the unit has been mostly plugged off since we found about it on Monday or Tuesday of this week). I have plugged in the unit couple times to further test/diagnose for anywhere between 10-15 minutes to almost an hour.

If the thermostat is set mid-way, I just hear the two clicks and compressor stays off and cold. When I turned the thermostat to max setting tho', I noticed after the click the compressor vibrated a bit (as if it were trying to turn on) and then shut down. Would this confirm the issue as the compressor being locked up OR would it be worth doing some additional diagnosis and if so, what could I try next?

Thanks again!

-Topper

[Vance R]

On 7/2/2020 at 7:06 AM, topperdude said:

Supco RCO810

Would not recommend that one. It is a hard start version to help weak compressor start. Can make the compressor draw lot of current at start up. Supco has standard start device such as OLK7913. This allows you to get the cover back on the compressor. If you have a meter you can ohm out the compressor to check the windings.