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Re: [Shop-talk] To kill a refrigerator

To: eric@megageek.com
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] To kill a refrigerator
From: Pat Horne <roadsters@hornesystemstx.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:43:40 -0500
1- Unplug the frig then remove the electrical connection cover from the 
compressor and break off one of the 3 pins coming out of the sealed 
compressor. They have repair kits for this kind of damage, but they 
don't last all that long and if there is no terminal left sticking out 
to get hold of, it can't be done...hint, hint, hint.This may mean moving 
the frig out from the wall, so watch out that the floor doesn't end up 
with tell[tale marks on it!

2- You may also be able to get to the thermostat and do some wire 
cutting there, or break the sensing tube, even better. It contains a 
form of alcohol, which shouldn't pose much of a problem as long as it 
doesn't end up on visible surfaces. (Some times the alcohol is colored).

3- I would guess that if the frig keeps blowing the breaker as soon as 
it is reset would do the trick. Just ground the hot power cord lead and 
plug it back in.

The next problem is keeping her from calling a service person out to fix 
it. Suggestion 1 would be the most expensive to repair, followed by #2, 
then #3.

I suspect that the owners would call a repair shop to come out and check 
the frig, so why not call the shop ahead of time and let them know that 
no matter what they find, the frig needs to be declared beyond 
economical repair. Then also put a note inside by the compressor to 
remind the repair guy to tell the owner that the frig is beyond repair. 
Add some cash and to jog his memory and the frig will most likely be 
history!

I don't believe that using a sign transformer would do anything helpful. 
The current is so low that it would probably kill the transformer before 
it would have any affect on the frig. You need something high current to 
do this job "properly"!

Peace,
Pat

Thusly spake eric@megageek.com:
> OK, here is the deal.  My neighbors are a really nice elderly couple.  The
> husband wants to replace their frig, however, the wife doesn't want to
> spend the money (damn depression survivors!)  8>)
>
> So, he is asking me to "take care of it" so it doesn't work anymore.  Note,
> if I just cut a cord, she is likely to call a repairman first and he may
> find it and fix it.  I need to make it NOT work anymore.
>
> To make it worst, I only have a small window of time to work, and I can't
> drag a full refrig to a 220 outlet.
>
> I didn't want to dump the coolant because of the environmental aspect of
> it.  So the motor seemed the best angle of attack.
>
> I don't have a high output transformer.  What size variable speed control
> would I need to burn it out?  How long would it take for the motor to burn
> out on it?  (Again, I have to be in and out.)
>
> Some other ideas I have.
>
> Hook the ground lead of my wire feed welder to the positive terminal on the
> plug, turn it up to max power and try to weld the frig body in an
> unnoticeable spot.  This should make the motor body the place that the arch
> trys to jump.  Think it will work?
>
>
> Moose
>
> "We all know we're dying, And there's no sign of a parachute."
>      Tori Amos
> _______________________________________________
> roadsters@hornesystemstx.com
>
> Shop-talk mailing list
>
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk
>
>
>   


-- 
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems 
(512) 797-7501 Voice            5026 FM 2001
Pat@HorneSystemsTx.com  Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
-- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT --
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