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Mini Fridge is not keeping things cold

SnorkSnork wordJamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
edited June 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
So I've had this Haider mini fridge for almost exactly two years now, and just yesterday it stopped working. At first I thought it had lost power for a while, so I checked the outlet, replugged it in and left it for a night. This afternoon I find that everything inside is warm and gross (luckily it was just soda and baking soda in there, but still). I then moved it out from under my bed (as I figured it might be too close to the wall) and rearranged my room to put it more in the open. I have since plugged it into a different outlet and moved it about two feet away from the wall. I plugged it in, it's definitely receiving power because the interior light turns on, but I cannot hear the fridge running. Every once in a while I'll hear something click and there will be a faint humming (not like what it used to sound like) and then it'll click off seconds later. Does anyone who has knowledge of refrigerators or electrics know what's going on here? It's not really dusty or dirty in the back. Is the power like half-blown or something?

Snork on

Posts

  • ihmmyihmmy Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    is it still under warranty? contact the manufacturer

    ihmmy on
  • SnorkSnork word Jamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Negative, otherwise I'd have asked there first.

    Snork on
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    does it have a compressor or is it electronic/peltier?

    Staxeon on
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  • WillethWilleth Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Silly question, but you've not accidentally flipped the switch from 'cool' to 'warm'?

    Oh, and just an FYI in case you didn't already know: most mini-fridges are not actually 'fridges' as such, they're simply chillers, and unless explicitly stated it's not safe to store dairy and easily expirable products in them.

    Willeth on
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  • SnorkSnork word Jamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Willeth wrote: »
    Silly question, but you've not accidentally flipped the switch from 'cool' to 'warm'?

    Oh, and just an FYI in case you didn't already know: most mini-fridges are not actually 'fridges' as such, they're simply chillers, and unless explicitly stated it's not safe to store dairy and easily expirable products in them.
    How would I know if I have done that? There is a dial on the inside that goes from 0-7 and appears to have a grey button on it that has no resistance to pressing when the dial is at zero. Or would this be an external switch?

    Also, I did not know that. I don't think I've ever had anything in here besides soda and a sandwich, but good to know.

    I just looked on the back and it says that it has a compressor.

    Snork on
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    It fits under your bed? How big are we talking, like a 3 cu ft mini fridge?

    Most fridges can take up to 24 hrs to adjust to a new temp setting. Should be shorted for smaller ones (since less air to cool) but it can take as long since the compressor is usually scaled down and doesn't circulate as quickly.

    Staxeon on
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    No man should have that kind of power.    (Twitter)
  • SnorkSnork word Jamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    It's 4.4 cubic feet; I have a loft bed.
    The temperature setting doesn't explain why it stopped working in the first place though. Also how will I know if I accidentally have it on warm (is that even possible with a compressor fridge)? Would that be a model specific thing?

    Snork on
  • StaxeonStaxeon Buffalo, NYRegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I think what Willeth is taking about is smaller. I have this travel fridge that goes in my car, its barely big enuff to hold a 12 pack of cans. It has a switch for cool or warm, no thermostat setting at all. Peltier effect cooled. Almost identical to this one. I don't think yours has a heat setting from what you're describing, since it has an actual compressor.

    If you're hearing a click it sounds like the thermostat is trying to turn the compressor on at least.

    Staxeon on
    Invisible nap is the best nap of all time!
    No man should have that kind of power.    (Twitter)
  • WillethWilleth Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Yeah, sounds like you have an actual fridge there. The things I think of as a mini-fridge are barely two feet across.

    Willeth on
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  • SnorkSnork word Jamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Ah. Well then does anyone know what might have happened to the thermostat or compressor or whatever so that now it is clicking on and off very weakly and not doing a proper cold cycle?

    Snork on
  • chromdomchromdom Who? Where?Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    You mentioned warranty is expired. Is it possible it's old enough the compressor or something is just blown, time to get a new mini fridge?

    chromdom on
  • SnorkSnork word Jamaica Plain, MARegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    That's a possibility. I asked my dad and he noticed that the compressor was hot, so I'm leaving it unplugged for a while to see if that helps. Would two years really have done it in?

    Snork on
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