Ideal Slider -- cooling, then not cooling

[ZMonet]

I was hoping I might be able to get some help with my Ideal 55 Pepsi Slider.  Initially the compressor was working and cooling and within a 24 hour period now it is not cooling.  There is a lot more detail, including the purchase of the machine, at this LINK

[cvb141]

You said the compressor and fan are still running, and that it started to frost. You didn't say if it completely frosted up. I would venture to guess that the filtetr/drier or cap tube line was partially stopped up and is worse now.  thats just a guess, it could be a weak compressor or a small leak. If everything is running but not cooling, than the t-stat wouldn't be the problem.
Jerry

[MoonDawg]

I think Jerry is right. A drop of water in the copper line will soon become a small droplet of ice.....and plug the cap tube.

[ZMonet]

I did not see the machine completely frost up.  I only saw some frost on the top  of the wall closest to me, was happy the machine still worked and then turned it off until last night when i saw it frost again before leaving it on.  Both times I saw it frost it was only run for an hour and a half or so.  How do I resolve this issue?  It seems like your theory would be right if, as seems to be the case, I turn the machine on and it cools to a point, then stops cooling, then I turn it off and it should repeat.  I'm going to take a picture of a kink in the copper to see if you guys think that might be the problem.  I feel like I'm so close to getting this up and going…yet so far away.

Thanks guys.  REALLY appreciate the help.

[aspbear1]

A kink in the tubing '>     Sounds like a possible solution....

[Yarochrehc]

I too think that you should try to get the kink out of the copper line without breaking it first! That could very well be the whole problem.

[ZMonet]

I'm still at work, but I'll take a look at it when I get home.  I assume getting the kink out is a matter of unbolting the compressor and maneuvering it to eliminate the kink without breaking it.  Is there any trick to this?  Thanks guys.

[Yarochrehc]

It depends on how bad of a kink you have to how hard it is to take it out.

The big thing to remember is to take it slow and easy.

Try to straighten it out by putting one hand on each side of the kink if possible, usuing your thumbs push on the copper line and just start to bend it back to the orginal shape.  

If it is a bad kink only bend it back part way to it's orginal shape, if you try to straighten it out completely it will probably break.

[ZMonet]

I didn't get home from work until very late last night, but I tried plugging the Slider in and checking in the morning and the same thing happened -- it frosted up, but by morning it was no longer cold.  I made the attempt because I thought it might be my thermostat setting.  The plastic dial does not change the temp setting and I am left with a small metal piece that I can push around the circle with a screw driver.  I guess my first issue is how the placement of the metal piece correlates to the temp setting.  Can anyone help me with that? (PIC ATTACHED #1)  Also, I have identified the "kink" and have attached additional PICS to see if you might have some more guidance as to whether this is likely the problem and, if so, how best to handle it.  It seems to be at an area where I'll have some difficulty "unkinking" it.  Thanks again everyone!

[globalcompressors]

That is a bad kink...Definitely could be a problem with freon flow. If it's bad enough,
it would be a restriction. Clear the kink first and see if it makes a difference. After that, if not any better, check the pressure. You might have a leak, low refrigerant, frosting, not cooling...classic symptoms.


Eric