Should a condenser get hot?

KyuZo · 07-22-2004, 02:19 PM

I'm working on adapting a waterchiller from a fridge-freezer, and tested it out earlier today for a few of hours. Lots of nice ice formed, but the condenser got so warm it was hard to keep your finger on it. Is something wrong? Or is this
normal?

edit: compressor, I meant compressor, not condenser..... is it ok for the compressor to get hot?

bigben2k · 07-22-2004, 03:25 PM

Yes, that's normal.

KyuZo · 07-23-2004, 03:11 AM

Phew, had myself worried there for a minute. Thanks for the help.

redleader · 07-23-2004, 11:24 AM

Top of the compressor should be hot, bottom should be a bit cooler but definately not cold. If the compressor is extremely hot (>80 or 90C), it might need airflow though.

At least thats what i read.

jlrii · 07-23-2004, 01:23 PM

What are you running for a refrigerant. What are your pressures?

KyuZo · 07-24-2004, 03:41 AM

I don't know the pressures but it's running R12.

I don't think it reaches 80-90 deg C as I could touch it, but not keep my finger on for very long - so I'd say it reaches around 60-70 C.

jlrii · 07-25-2004, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyuZo

I don't know the pressures but it's running R12.

I don't think it reaches 80-90 deg C as I could touch it, but not keep my finger on for very long - so I'd say it reaches around 60-70 C.

How did you charge w/o gauges? And where did you get r12 $$$ nowadays?

redleader · 07-25-2004, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlrii

How did you charge w/o gauges? And where did you get r12 $$$ nowadays?

Since he doesn't know pressure and used R12, I'm guessing he took an old system and droped the evap into a res to use as a chiller without opening the system.

KyuZo · 07-25-2004, 03:25 AM

Exactly, I just took apart an old fridge/freezer without actually changing the cooling circuit.

07-22-2004, 02:19 PM	#1
KyuZo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 19	Should a condenser get hot? I'm working on adapting a waterchiller from a fridge-freezer, and tested it out earlier today for a few of hours. Lots of nice ice formed, but the condenser got so warm it was hard to keep your finger on it. Is something wrong? Or is this normal? edit: compressor, I meant compressor, not condenser..... is it ok for the compressor to get hot? Last edited by KyuZo; 07-22-2004 at 03:08 PM. Reason: mistakes!

07-22-2004, 03:25 PM	#2
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	Yes, that's normal. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

07-23-2004, 03:11 AM	#3
KyuZo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 19	Phew, had myself worried there for a minute. Thanks for the help.

07-23-2004, 11:24 AM	#4
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	Top of the compressor should be hot, bottom should be a bit cooler but definately not cold. If the compressor is extremely hot (>80 or 90C), it might need airflow though. At least thats what i read.

07-23-2004, 01:23 PM	#5
jlrii Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 158	What are you running for a refrigerant. What are your pressures?

07-24-2004, 03:41 AM	#6
KyuZo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 19	I don't know the pressures but it's running R12. I don't think it reaches 80-90 deg C as I could touch it, but not keep my finger on for very long - so I'd say it reaches around 60-70 C.

07-25-2004, 03:25 AM	#9
KyuZo Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 19	Exactly, I just took apart an old fridge/freezer without actually changing the cooling circuit.

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