Engel MT45 repair?

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Freon is required to be recovered with a machine into in approved container. Realistically you have a system that may only hold 3oz of freon. You will lose that hooking up the gauges. Freon always has a smell. Be careful it can be addicting o_O.

Good news is it has a tap. If this is the case it will not be tough to pressure it up and charge it. There are several ways to go about this. Here is what I would do. Put a gauge on the tap. Generally if there is only one tap it is on the low pressure side. Start the unit with the gauge hooked up. When the compressor starts the pressure should drop. It may even go in a vacuum. If this happens you know your compressor is working. Lets assume your compressor is working for now. Turn the unit off and let the pressure on the gauge build back up. I would check all connections and copper joints with a spray bottle filled with soap and water. On such a small system it wouldn't take much of a loss to cause problems. If you find a leak determine if it can be fixed. Once this is done "recover" the R134a using all proper equipment following the laws of your state :D Once there is no additional freon in the Engel hook it up to a vacuum pump. Let it run for 30 minutes or so. Weigh in the correct amount of R134a. You can probably do this while the system is in a vacuum without it running. Don't forget your gauges hold a little freon so you may need to add a slight bit extra. Once this is done start the unit. Be sure to replace your cap on the freon line and leak check.

If the compressor is not working electrical troubleshooting will be in order. Before you tear into the freon system make sure if there is a fan motor near the compressor it is running and the condenser fins are clear.
 
Thanks for the extensive instructions. I hope this is valuable to other Mudders as it is to me. I have already removed the whole unit and replaced the unit. I'll have to find some time to set this one back up in the fridge... its a pain. Was hoping i could do it without putting the cooling unit back in the fridge.

Will research the freon recovery device and look for the gauges.
 
Thanks for the extensive instructions. I hope this is valuable to other Mudders as it is to me. I have already removed the whole unit and replaced the unit. I'll have to find some time to set this one back up in the fridge... its a pain. Was hoping i could do it without putting the cooling unit back in the fridge.

Will research the freon recovery device and look for the gauges.
The freon recovery device was meant to be tongue in cheek. There is roughly 3 ounces in there and could be considered "de minimis" venting. Do a little googling on venting R134a to the atmosphere and make your own decision. They do sell refrigerant recovery systems but they aren't cheap. Let me know if I can help. I have done quite a bit of refrigeration work.
 
It's good to know that there's an actual tap on the freon line for servicing. I bet if our fridges aren't cooling sufficiently, there's a tiny leak in the line somewhere and hopefully finding it won't make you pull your hair out.

This thread has good info, now we need some pics!
 
Anyone have any luck repairing their engel? Mine stopped cooling a couple days ago. Green light comes on but nothing else. No sound of motor. No sound of compressor sound kicking in. Any ideas on places that can repair these things?
 
Maybe the thermistor? Any difference between the 12v connection and the 120v ? could be the power supply?
 
Got home tonight from a trip and tested the power supply. Worked fine with 120v so looked at 12v power and popped in a new 15amp fuse at the secondary battery. So far so good, ill see how it does overnight. Pretty new power cord and fuse, not sure how it happened. Maybe just got super hot in the engine bay?
 
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