Originally Posted by AC1DD
Originally Posted by 440Magnum
Newer fridges run almost continuously, but throttle the load (either via evoprator regulator or variable speed compressor) as needed. It's more efficient than cycling. The irony is that I heard our Samsung fridge start as I typed this (probably was defrosting) and now the compressor speed is slowly ramping up.
The older conventional fridges I remember having seemed to run much longer cycles than I expected, but I honestly never paid that much attention to the actual minutes on/off.
This.
The best thing to observe is does the unit maintain the proper temperatures? If so it probably is working as intended if not you have a problem.
Many people totally MISS checking to see if the CONDENSER coil is clean, but they check the evaporator coil.
CONDENSER coil is located at the back of the fridge usually next to the compressor, and they are often clogged with dust!
To access unplug the fridge! Then remove the metal or cardboard access panel at the bottom of the unit (usually screwed in) and you will see the condenser coils...
GENTLY use a vacuum brush attachment to remove the dust, then reinstall the access panel and plug in the unit start and observe function does it change?
The newer ones are pretty hard to clean unless you tilt it backwards, unless I'm going about it entirely wrong. Mines W shaped, removing the panel only lets you get the front most row.