Hot Compressor

[kozlowbd]

I have a mini fridge that i wanted to use the compressor off of to cool my water however when I plugged it in and let the fridge run for an hour or so I noticed that the compressor became EXTREMELY hot! Does this mean that the compressor is shot or is there a cheap easy fix to this.......(fill freon?) Could this mean a crack in the compressor as well?? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[nOv1c3]

I do believe they get a little warm

But it wouldnt hurt to get the oil and freon checked if you plan on using it

[kozlowbd]

I'm not talking a lil warm...i'm talking burn your hand if you leave it there warm....anychance that the compressor coudld be shot?

[jtroutma]

From my limited understanding about refigeration, the compressor becomming quite warm to hot is normal during active sessions. You have to remember that when the compressor is on, it is generating heat of its own and it is also absorbing some of the heat that is in the rest of the system.

I have worked with refigeration compressors that are rated between 1 1/2 tons - 10 tons and ALL of them get VERY hot! Ganted I am taking about industrial refigeration compressors here but same prinicples should apply.

One thing though...... normal home refrigerator compressors are NOT rated to be run for long extended periods of time. Most of them run for maybe 15 minutes every 2 hours (when the door is shut) You should probably check to see if that compressor of yours could do 24/7 operation to be on the safe side.