Hotpoint reefer question...

[snake803]

You folks are an incredible bunch..If someone here dosn't know the answer.. It probably dosn't exist...HERE GOES....

In 1987 we purchased a hotpoint ,model SSD4, dorm refrigerator for our oldest daughter.... IT STILL OPERATES.... the temp control has settings of 1-6, max., off ,and def. My question is:

when defrosting, with the dial in the def. setting, is there some sort of heating element energized??? If not, why have a def. setting..

This thing is almost 30 yrs. old, and the newer owners manuals on line don't discuss a def setting...
JUST CURIOUS...
TIA..
JIM...............

 

[LVSteve]

Never seen a fridge called a reefer before. Must be a SC thing.

I don't think I've seen any kind of fridge with a heating element for defrosting.

As for the modern fridges, they are supposed to be designed such that they do not frost up like the old ones, so the def setting is all but redundant.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Jim,

This is one of the old, basic "reefer" units that you set to the "Off" position, open the door, put the old drip pan in place and let Mother Nature and global warming take over.

Page 5, far left column:

http://www.geappliances.com/search/older-pdfs/39-6278.PDF

Only us "Old Sea Dogs" know what a "reefer" is.

Bill

 

[Inusuit]

Only us "Old Sea Dogs" know what a "reefer" is.

Bill

And a few old truck drivers.

 

[Onomea]

And a few old truck drivers.

And a few old hippies...

 

[Steve912]

the temp control has settings of 1-6, max., off ,and def. My question is:

when defrosting, with the dial in the def. setting, is there some sort of heating element energized??? If not, why have a def. setting..
.

Quick check--does data plate/label mention a different amp draw, for "defrost cycle"...

Positive check: disassemble as needed to examine wiring on temp control. Does switch have different circuit energized, in "Defrost" position?

 

[swsig]

Re: Hotpoint reefer question

All I know is that back in my college days we learned never to put the hotpoint of a reefer inside the mouth.

Oh, I see you're inquiring about a refrigerator. Never mind.

 

[SC_Mike]

They probably realized OFF works just as well as defrost...

 

[JSR III]

Not sure about the def setting but opening the door with the unit off will defrost it fairly well and for free. Just make sure you do it in the driveway or have a pan to catch the water. (No need to ask how I know)

One thing that I will tell you from managing rental property for most of my life, make sure that you vacuum the cooling fins of any refrigerator. Tenants rarely do this if ever. Clogged with dust and dog/cat hair you will burn out the compressor faster than my wife can max out a credit card.

The genius that designed our current Whirlpool side by side, has the cooling fins shaped like this ^^^^^^ when viewed from the side. Unfortunately the removable access panel is in the front and only allows access to the very first section.

Talk about built in obsolescence.

 

[Rule3]

We would take our dorm fridge outside to defrost it and smoke the reefer in the dorm room.

Then when defrosted we would fill it with beer.

All was good.

 

[arjay]

Re: Hotpoint reefer question

All I know is that back in my college days we learned never to put the hotpoint of a reefer inside the mouth.

Oh, I see you're inquiring about a refrigerator. Never mind.

Hot boxing

 

[tlawler]

I don't think I've seen any kind of fridge with a heating element for defrosting.

As for the modern fridges, they are supposed to be designed such that they do not frost up like the old ones, so the def setting is all but redundant.

All frost free fridges have heating elements to defrost more quickly so the food doesn't get freezer burned by getting too warm and re freezing. Modern fridges frost as much as older ones and still need a heated defrost cycle. They also have heating elements in the freezer door gaskets to keep them pliable so they seal better.

 

[les.b]

My cat thinks there is something wrong with me. I've been rolling around on the couch with tears coming out of my eyes. You guys crack me up.

Bill is right about us old sea dogs, though, and growing up in a Navy family, then serving in the Navy, I knew what a refrigerator "reefer" was long before I ever heard of the other kind!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[bdGreen]

All 'Frost Free' freezers have heater elements attached to the condensing coils. There is a 'thermostat' with presets that will be attached to the coils also. The presets will define at what temperature the heater is allowed to heat to, and, shut off the heater. This is all driven by the cycle timer that automatically comes on like clockwork. A typical upright freezer will have a duty cycle of about 30 minutes of defrosting heater time, shuts off, and, then about twelve hours later goes through the defrost cycle again. Very simple mechanism.

bdGreen

 

[snubbyfan]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbjHOBJzhb0[/ame]

 

[Snapping Twig]

Yes, there's a heating element under the evaporator.