Fridge Troubleshoot [HVAC, True GDM-7, Fermentation Chamber, Fridge Transport] (xpost from /r/homebrewing) fixit

Album: http://ift.tt/2skbhkI

Model: True GDM-07

Serial: 1-3224559

Yesterday I bought a True GDM-7 (similar) commercial fridge ($150, Facebook Marketplace, like $1500 new) to use as a fermentation chamber and eventual BrewPi setup, but after getting it home it appears to be having issues hitting or maintaining temp.

I'm pulling manuals and learning about HVAC repair but I may have been bam'd, and possibly boozled.

Timeline

• [-1h] Arrived at seller; Nice guy, said it functioned just fine, appeared to be concerned with electric bill and didn't need it any more - No flags. Verified that the compressor starts and runs continuously for several minutes when plugged in (which I understood to be the main thing to worry about), checked for mold etc. I did not wait to verify it hit fridge temperature. The fridge was transported in the back of an SUV, kept on it's back + 30‎° angle, propped up on containers. Not ideal, but based on where the coolant ports were, this seemed the best side and solution.
• [0h] Got home and moved fridge into basement, upright. Let stand for 3 hours before plugging it in; Cleaned it.
• [3h] Plugged in fridge; compressor boots and runs. Lights, evap fan, condenser fan all running. Adjust temp dial to high/middle-ish number. Put digital thermometers into fridge + outside to track changes. Ambient temp is ~65.°
• [5h] Zero change in temp - Reading ‎65‎° inside and out. Hmmm, left it running.
• [7h] Temp finally starts dropping - 45‎° inside, 65‎° outside. Evap fins feel cool, not frozen.
• [8h] Temp dips below freezing at bottom of fridge - ‎27‎° inside, 65‎°‎ outside. Evap fins still feel cool, not frozen. looks great(?)
• ‎[‎10h] Check again - Almost back to room temp. ‎°55 inside, 65‎° outside. No evidence of frost anywhere - Compressor is still running. (Vibrating slightly, all fans on) Door stayed closed and the seal isn't compromised.

Unplug overnight, plugged back in this morning. Been running for a few hours - ~65‎° inside, ~65‎° outside.

Relevant details

1. Fins on the back are clean and the fan(s) consistently running.
2. Compressor appears to be running constantly with the temp knob at middle/high. (I can feel it vibrating gently when I touch it)
3. From what I understand, The True GDM-7 has the temp probe inside the fins to avoid dedicated defrost cycles like other fridges. Either way, I can't find frost inside the fridge when touching the "cooling fins."
4. If the compressor is bad or the loop is compromised, how did it possible hit freezing for an hour?
5. It's only been about a day; It's possible more "settling" of some kind will occur?
6. Unknown impacts of moving the fridge on it's side/angled; But again, wouldn't it NEVER work?
7. Any resale value in a busted True fridge? lulz -

Next Steps

• "Bamboozle confirmed, GG brodude."
• "Welcome to DIY Life"
• "You broke it during transport - Should have sucked it up and gotten a truck."
• "Become /u/SchlowGhuppy and wait to see what happen in a few days"
• "Savage deal still, get an HVAC guy to come look at it and go from there"

Any inputs or experience appreciated

Submitted June 13, 2017 at 09:06PM by PhastGhuppy http://ift.tt/2rX2JQ3 fixit