Cooler Repair Instructions and Help

Repair Service for Soda Vending Machines and Beverage Display Coolers is an exciting task for Beginners, Techs and Store owners alike.
Learn simple helpful tips and tricks from a service technician and learn how to repair your cooler on your own!

Are the Condenser and Evaporator cooling fans running as it should be?

Manufacturers often use the same motor brand and model as a condenser cooler as well as an evaporator fan motor to distribute the cold air.

The condenser fan motor and the condenser coil are located in the compressor compartment (compressor deck) on the bottom of the machine.

Condenser Fan Motor problems

How the Condenser Fan Works: The cooling fan behind the condenser forces fresh air through the condenser coil into the compressor compartment. This cooling effect changes the hot compressed refrigerant inside the coil from a gaseous state into a liquid state.

The fan runs whenever the compressor runs; it circulates cooling air through the condenser coil, over the compressor, and back into the room.

The ambient air also helps to cool the compressor and the refrigerant in the condenser tubing.

Note: Make sure that the fan blows the cooling air in the right direction!

A dirty condenser coil or fan blades are the main reason for an overheated system.

The compressor has a thermal cut out switch and stops the motor when overheating occurs, however - this often results in a compressor burn-out, the whole condensing unit must be replaced!

If the compressor runs and the fan does not, you most likely need to replace the fan motor because they are getting power from the same relay/contactor.

Advice: The fan blade may turn freely on a cooled-down motor but hesitates to get up to full speed as the temperature inside of the motor increases (a tricky challenge for the service tech!)

Evaporator Fan Motor and Coil Freezing up problems:

The manufacturers for Vending machines, Display and Soda coolers all have a different approach to control the evaporator motor. There are some good reasons why the motor is not running at the moment when we inspect the machine!

Newer machines are Energy Star rated, they shut off the evaporator motor with the compressor - this is controlled by the same relay!

Try to get a wiring diagram or find some help on the net before you replace the motor.

In the purest form, the door switch disables the fan motor, this is an easy task to check.

There are many other ways to disable the evaporator fan, using sensing thermostats or other measures.

If you suspect a malfunctioning motor, take it out form the machine and test it, using a simple "cheater-cord" from your toolbox.

Don't have one? Get a cheap extension cord, cut off the female plug and install two insulated crocodile clamps. Don't forget to install an ON/OFF switch between, some cables have a switch already incorporated.

Why is the whole evaporator coil Icing up?

You need to unplug the machine and wait until the ice melts; or better, use a fan to speed up the labor.

Don't try to chip the ice away; it doesn't take much to damage the tiny tubes inside the evaporator.

Make sure the door gaskets are in good shape and clean and are sealing well. Any leak will let warm and moist air into the cooling box; it will immediately freeze on the ice-cold evaporator fins and build up ice.

The DEFROST TIMER could be defective? Defrost timers can be complicated to test; they may work when you manually advance them into a defrost cycle but fail in a real course of action (motor, electric switch or plastic gears defective). REPLACE it - to make sure...

Is the defrost heater burned out? Check with an OHM Meter. A defective heater element shows OL (over limit - no continuity) on display. It should read somewhere above 50Ω (OHM), depending on the supply voltage and size.

Defrost limit thermostat (defrost cutout) OK? The defrost heaters usually are connected to a defrost limit thermostat. When the evaporator coil is getting warmer on a defrost cycle, the limit thermostat (defrost cutout) opens and switches the heater OFF. At room temperature, it will usually be open and have infinite resistance "OL" (Over the Limit - no continuity).

The best way to increase the efficiency (and life) of a cooler is to clean the condenser coils and fan blades at least twice a year.

Why Is just a part of the evaporator coil freezing up?

1. If only the first segment of the evaporator is freezing up, you may have a low refrigerant charge or a restriction in the system.

2. The fan motors may get weak and don't move enough air through the coils - replace the motor.

3. If the compressor makes a "humming" sound and then a "clicking" noise at start-up, you may need to replace the starting components - a professional will use 3 'n 1 Starting Device.

Do you need to replace a fan blower motor?

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