[Prowler]

Originally Posted by condor

What makes you think that the unit has not been used in the way it should be ? About moisture, the main source inside the freezer is water placed for ice. We dont use ice, and even if we did - moisture is a factor only till the ice is formed.

Condor Saab - I didn't question you about your usage. I am just pointing out the science behind the issue.
The moisture in the air plays a role in the way a refrigerator's frost free or otherwise system works. The ice block that forms in the freezer compartment is sourced from the moisture suspended in the air. And water in the form of ice is a poor conductor of heat. This is the reason why a refrigerator needs defrosting periodically. It has nothing to do with the 'ice' you make in the freezer.

I used to be a consulting engineer for a specialist service agency which repaired hundreds of refrigerators and TVs amongst other things in hotels. Part of my job was to develop a process by which field engineers identified the fault and rectified them in situ or refer to the base for major work.

[Mortis]

Also most of the newer fridges have a defroster coil or something that periodically turns on to reduce the icing on the cooling coils. Had to replace this on our Hitachi fridge a few months ago. The icing is mostly from the moisture inside the fridge. Have added a box of Absorbia to help get rid of some of it. Plan to do a bit of "defrosting" every month or so to help it along

[condor]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Condor Saab - I didn't question you about your usage. I am just pointing out the science behind the issue.

I used to be a consulting engineer for a specialist service agency which repaired hundreds of refrigerators and TVs amongst other things in hotels. Part of my job was to develop a process by which field engineers identified the fault and rectified them in situ or refer to the base for major work.

I was actually ranting about the unit, and was more unhappy with the way the service person did his job. We pay fairly big ones for these appliances, and expect them to run without intervention. Especially since these are storage units and not active-use ones like food processors/grinders.


Your inputs are definitely helpful. I will keep an eye on the vents - just in case this was a cause. Thanks, Prowler !

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by condor

I was actually ranting about the unit, and was more unhappy with the way the service person did his job. We pay fairly big ones for these appliances, and expect them to run without intervention. Especially since these are storage units and not active-use ones like food processors/grinders.

I know how you feel. In my case my ACs are driving me nuts. They get clogged and create a micro niagra falls inside the room. Somehow better technology has not percolated to these units. Inverter compressors and Alexa/mobile controls are all fine - but the basic problem of clogging has not been addressed.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I know how you feel. In my case my ACs are driving me nuts. They get clogged and create a micro niagra falls inside the room. Somehow better technology has not percolated to these units. Inverter compressors and Alexa/mobile controls are all fine - but the basic problem of clogging has not been addressed.

I discovered an interesting thing about AC water outlets. If the pipeline is not monotonically dropping; that is there is a slight droop and then a rise; the water does not travel down but gets stuck in the trap (bent) and then the drain overflows inside the room. This I discovered when our maid raised the outlet pipe end and put it in a flower pot. Within an hour the pipe filled and flooded the room. The moment I put the pipe end back on the floor it drained out all the water and no more flooding of the room.

Yesterday day I got the indoor unit cleaned, and boy the fan was full of grime, that is after less than 3 months since the last service. Here are some images


Notice the grime on the fan blades



Some of the collected grime

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Aroy

I discovered an interesting thing about AC water outlets. If the pipeline is not monotonically dropping; that is there is a slight droop and then a rise; the water does not travel down but gets stuck in the trap (bent) and then the drain overflows inside the room.

Yes Aroy Sir. My ACs look exactly like that with so much of bound grime. It is really a lot of pain to remove the outer cover to have access to the internal fan. I tried cleaning it with a powerful Vacuum cleaner. It helps but not completely.
It is much easier to clean with windows AC than with split units.
Keeping dogs inside the room doesn't help either.

So the rant continues ...

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Yes Aroy Sir. My ACs look exactly like that with so much of bound grime. It is really a lot of pain to remove the outer cover to have access to the internal fan. I tried cleaning it with a powerful Vacuum cleaner. It helps but not completely.
It is much easier to clean with windows AC than with split units.
Keeping dogs inside the room doesn't help either.

So the rant continues ...

The service engineer from LG dismantled the whole front - grill, drain pipe and a few other pieces. It was quite simple - a couple of screws and the rest is press fit. He then meticulously used a brush to clean up each blade surface a task that took him 15 minutes. I you are interested I will PM you the images

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Aroy

The service engineer from LG dismantled the whole front - grill, drain pipe and a few other pieces. It was quite simple - a couple of screws and the rest is press fit. He then meticulously used a brush to clean up each blade surface a task that took him 15 minutes. If you are interested I will PM you the images

Thanks Aroy Sir. That would not be necessary as I can understand the dismantling procedure. The service guys here don't really bother to clean the innards as thoroughly as we want them. I am cleaning them on my own and that is why I am reluctant to go the full hog and dismantle the AC. We know the drill but I am not a spring chicken perched precariously on the ladder ...

[Thad E Ginathom]

It is hard to properly clean the fan blades without dismantling. I have tried several improvised tools.

It is really necessary, though. Just a little dust ruins the aerodynamics and greatly reduces draft.

[libranof1987]

Any recommendations on dryers? Firstly, are they effective? I read that there are two technologies used in dryers, which is better? Lastly, do clothes shrink when in the dryer? (some of the dryers I've used in the US causes clothes to)

[Aroy]

The saga of low efficiency continued even after the service. So I contacted LG and they sent an engineer. His verdict was that the fins in IDU were blocked and the whole unit will be dismantled, cleaned and then again assemble.


Close the outlet valve and run the compressor. All the gas goes into the compressor. Then close the inlet. Now there is no gas in the pipeline or IDU, all of it is in the ODU.


Drain the water in the tray. Even though the water is supposed to be drained, there was some accumulated due to mud, even though it was cleaned two days ago.


Disconnect all the pipes, and Take the IDU off the wall.


Note the clogged fins. The engineer agreed with me that for enhanced efficiency the fin spacing is reduced. That means that any dust that finds its way mixes with water in humid weather and jams the fins. The older AC had no such problems due to wider fin spacing.


Washed the IDU thoroughly. Same as with a window AC. A lot of mud came out.


Compare the fins they are clean and shiny.


Back to the wall. Connect the pipes and the AC is functional.

After thorough cleaning the AC is as good as new as far as cooling goes. What bothers me is that if this can happen in a year of service, I may have to undertake the exercise at least every alternate year. As I have 5 years extended warranty cum service contract it is all free now. But what after 5 years?

[diyguy]

Originally Posted by Aroy

After thorough cleaning the AC is as good as new as far as cooling goes.

I got this done two months back by a known mechanic and he used a pressure washer on the IDU. He was a bit careless and dropped some plastic pieces and one side lock for the roller broke. He also damaged the joint of the IDU copper to the extended copper leading to a gas leak. These are somethings one needs to be careful about. But the performance is top notch now after this sort of cleaning.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I don't allow any electric gadgets (hair dryer included) inside bathroom. Only exception is the water heater.

Talked to a LG Repair Guy today about this problem. He said that older LG machines worked fine in the bathroom for 10-15 years (my earlier LG washing machine was testament to this). But the newer ones don't - they get all sorts of problems if kept in the bathroom.

Which means this is a solvable design problem, but LG has just screwed up their design in the recent washing machines.
I still have 1 year of warranty left so will continue using it till then. If after that, I still have problems, I am not planning to spend much money on repairing. I will just buy a Washing Machine from a different company. After being a huge LG fan for 15 years, I am now off LG products for life because this and also a problem with LG TV.
Anyway, anyone else keep their washing machine in the bathroom and it has worked fine? Which brand do you own?

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Any recommendations on dryers? Firstly, are they effective? I read that there are two technologies used in dryers, which is better? Lastly, do clothes shrink when in the dryer? (some of the dryers I've used in the US causes clothes to)

I recommend Siemens dryers. Ours is working perfectly since 2006. Only now the vent pipe needs replacement.

The two types are vented and condenser. Vented one will have an outlet with pipe which you can route through the window and directly releases the hot moist air outside. This one is more effective and should be your primary choice.

The condenser type is for use indoors when you can't route an outlet somewhere. It used a condenser to convert the steam to water which collects in a chamber that you then empty out every 1-2 cycles. It still adds a bit of warmth and humidity to the room. It's not as effective at drying the clothes.

Both types will shrink some types of fabrics a bit but it can be minimised by using lower or easy care settings. Totally worth it in the monsoons and those occasions when you have to do a few big loads and don't have place to dry them out

[Sebring]

Washing machines, per say are not water proof. There is no IP rated sealing. So it is hazardous to be exposed to water, be it old model or new. I have seen a lot of them rusted at the bottom.

Originally Posted by carboy

He said that older LG machines worked fine in the bathroom for 10-15 years (my earlier LG washing machine was testament to this). But the newer ones don't - they get all sorts of problems if kept in the bathroom.