USS 96 does not cool below 60 degrees

[timpearson]

 I'm A newbie, just bought my first machine, a Cavalier USS 12-96. I'm trying to figure out why It only cools down to about 60 degrees. Adjusting the thermostat does not change anything. I bypassed the thermostat by connecting the wires without the therm in place. Still it only goes to about 60 degrees. I'm thinking it may need freon. Is there anything else I should  look at? Aside from hooking it up to gauges, is there a way to till if its low on freon?

[MoonDawg]

       With the machine unplugged, block the upper and lower fan blades with rags.
Plug in the machine and verify the compressor is pumping by sound and vibration.
If so, pull the bottom rag so the compressor doesn't overheat and watch and feel the coils in the cooling compartment for frost.
A fully charged system will frost up all 9 coils (with no air blowing across them), but a low system will only frost 1 or 2.

[timpearson]

How long should it take for the coils to frost over with the fan not blowing?

[timpearson]

I blocked the fans with rags, the compressor is running, I kept the upper fan blocked and after 15 or 20 minutes the compressor cycled off, when I opened the door or adjusted the thermostat a little, the compressor came back on. The coils were cold, but no frost was forming. Any ideas?

[rayg]

I have the same machine,  my runs around 36 degrees, I agree with Glen the system might be low and needs a charge. Also you might want to add some leak detect in as well when you get it charged, just to be on the safe side.