Moving a fridge...is this correct?

Phate · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:15

Hi all,

We've just put the fridge in. It's 2nd hand and has been off for 2 days.

We were told to leave it 12 hours before switching it on?

We asked why and we couldn't really get an answer....so is this correct or can we just turn it on?

Cheers

Jake

nuttyprot · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:16

A refrigerator compressor is filled with hydrobenzoline oil... this is a lubricant for the compressor... When you lay the refrigerator down that oil will run up into the refrigerant lines... If you stand it up and plug it in right away, the compressor will pump the oil further into the refrigerant lines... This will cause the compressor to be operating without lubrication... In turn will cause your compressor to possibly burn out... That's why 24 hrs is needed after laying the refrigerator down...

joemo13 · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:17

I thought that you used to be told to do this to allow the coolant to flow back into its normal resting position, but I'm not sure if that's right or if it even does anything!

stopper · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:27

nuttyprot said:
A refrigerator compressor is filled with hydrobenzoline oil... this is a lubricant for the compressor... When you lay the refrigerator down that oil will run up into the refrigerant lines... If you stand it up and plug it in right away, the compressor will pump the oil further into the refrigerant lines... This will cause the compressor to be operating without lubrication... In turn will cause your compressor to possibly burn out... That's why 24 hrs is needed after laying the refrigerator down...

This.

Really it takes a couple hours at most, but retailers say give it 24h to cover their own backs.

Paul11 · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:32

this is only if you lay the fridge down

if its been upright the whole time it shouldn't be a problem

tigerstyle · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:35

Paul11 said:
this is only if you lay the fridge down

if its been upright the whole time it shouldn't be a problem

True that.

Phate · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:35

Cheers guys, now i know!

It was laying down for ~ 40mins?

We'll just plug it in tonight before a food shop. Thanks again!

deusexlumina · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:44

+1 for all the above

Efour · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:53

worst OP can afford a fridge post thread ever

.Kencs · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:55

Efour2 said:
worst OP can afford a fridge post thread ever

J.B · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:55

I've never heard this before, I feel I have learnt something today

tigerstyle · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:58

I think a hairdryer heating the compressor for 5 minutes would speed up the 'dangertime' and allow you turn it on quicker, if you were paranoid and in a rush.

SideWinder · 17 Apr 2011 at 14:08

Efour2 said:
worst OP can afford a fridge post thread ever

Normally these "worst ever..." things annoy me but this is a good one.

Efour · 17 Apr 2011 at 14:13

well he's just rubbing our faces in it, needed ot be said.

Ahleckz · 17 Apr 2011 at 14:29

Efour2 said:
well he's just rubbing our faces in it, needed ot be said.

Well it is 2nd hand. So it's really the worst ever I can't really afford a fridge, pity me, thread.

byteagig · 17 Apr 2011 at 15:18

I bought one the other day, and the instruction leaflet said to leave it standing for 4 hours before use.

Clum · 17 Apr 2011 at 15:35

nuttyprot said:
A refrigerator compressor is filled with hydrobenzoline oil... this is a lubricant for the compressor... When you lay the refrigerator down that oil will run up into the refrigerant lines... If you stand it up and plug it in right away, the compressor will pump the oil further into the refrigerant lines... This will cause the compressor to be operating without lubrication... In turn will cause your compressor to possibly burn out... That's why 24 hrs is needed after laying the refrigerator down...

Wow, GD in shock informative/intelligent answer!

Phate · 17 Apr 2011 at 16:27

Efour2 said:
well he's just rubbing our faces in it, needed ot be said.

Lol really? :rolleyes:

I'm not sure if you originally mispelt "can't" and put can accidentally but I'm far from gloating I have a 2nd hand fridge, grow up.

Ahleckz said:
Well it is 2nd hand. So it's really the worst ever I can't really afford a fridge, pity me, thread.

No it was a genuine question, I suggest you go and find something else better to do than mistake threads asking a question to learn something over a "woo is me" thread

sorn21 · 17 Apr 2011 at 16:36

I think they forgot to post this;

Efour · 17 Apr 2011 at 16:46

lol how could you be offended by this i love the internet...