Anyone know about moving fridges?

tufLTD · 20-09-2006, 10:31 AM

This might seem an unusual request on the motor forum, but does anyone know about transporting fridges? I have heard that you shouldn't lay them on their sides when moving them. Is this true? I have to pick up a fridge & was thinking of loading it into the back of my wagon. Otherwise, I'll have to borrow a ute which is a bit of a hassle.

20-09-2006, 10:43 AM

Its generally advised to keep them upright, although you can put it on its side, you have to make sure something like the larger pipe from the compressor is higher than the small tube towards the top of the fridge. not 100% on that one.

Also leave it off for a few hours after moving them to let the refridgerant settle.

disco_tezz · 20-09-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Its generally advised to keep them upright, although you can put it on its side, you have to make sure something like the larger pipe from the compressor is higher than the small tube towards the top of the fridge. not 100% on that one.

Also leave it off for a few hours after moving them to let the refridgerant settle.

I would Agree with BlackLS, Except for the making sure about the small tube and compressor, Never heard that one before,

But Ddefinatly let it rest for a few hours once you have moved it, I have always left it rest over night just to be safe side.

EF, What else? · 20-09-2006, 11:00 AM

Moving fridges is the worst, last night, woke up and mine was doing Macarena

XRQTR · 20-09-2006, 11:26 AM

Yep let it rest, but you shouldn't need more than say half an hour to an hour, dad's a repairer and I used to do deliveries occasionaly.

miitch · 20-09-2006, 11:27 AM

That's right, try to keep it upright as much as possible, and then let it sit for a while before turning it on, otherwise the OIL that is in the compressor could block up pipes etc and before you know it your fridge could be dead.

P.S: I'm an apprentice Refrigeration Mechanic.

TS50 · 20-09-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket.

That's right, try to keep it upright as much as possible, and then let it sit for a while before turning it on, otherwise the OIL that is in the compressor could block up pipes etc and before you know it your fridge could be dead.

P.S: I'm an apprentice Refrigeration Mechanic.

More of a problem of starting the compressor with no oil, and we all know motors dont like running without oil.
If you lay it on the side with the larger of the two pipes (suction line) into the compressor facing up, oil will not drain too much, I always recommend at least a hour before you turn it back on, depends on how long it has been on its side and how much a bumpy road you have driven on

tufLTD · 20-09-2006, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the advice guys, it's appreciated.
It will be sitting for a week or so before I fire it up again, so hopefully it should be OK.

fairmont1998 · 20-09-2006, 08:17 PM

I'd advise against laying any hermetic compressor on its side. The motor/compressor assembly inside the compressor housing is spring mounted to minimise noise and vibration. There is a risk of it coming off the mounts and resting against the housing. At best it'll be very noisy, at worst, its a compressor change.

Mark351 · 20-09-2006, 08:21 PM

Ensure the plank of wood you use as ramps up the railway sleeper steps into your newly purchased home are stable, so that your fridge doesn't tumble over onto rock into the adjacent garden, put dints into your previously as new fridge.

tufLTD · 20-09-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathXR

Ensure the plank of wood you use as ramps up the railway sleeper steps into your newly purchased home are stable, so that your fridge doesn't tumble over onto rock into the adjacent garden, put dints into your previously as new fridge.

Yeah, I was worried about that so I moved the rock!

LUXO_8 · 20-09-2006, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathXR

Ensure the plank of wood you use as ramps up the railway sleeper steps into your newly purchased home are stable, so that your fridge doesn't tumble over onto rock into the adjacent garden, put dints into your previously as new fridge.

lol that sounds like its coming from experience...

Gaz · 20-09-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

I'd advise against laying any hermetic compressor on its side. The motor/compressor assembly inside the compressor housing is spring mounted to minimise noise and vibration. There is a risk of it coming off the mounts and resting against the housing. At best it'll be very noisy, at worst, its a compressor change.

as he said

just if you have to lay it on its side.

try be gentle and dont bang it to hard or giving it sharp jolts and let it sit for a while before turning it on.

OLDFORDNUT · 21-09-2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

Its generally advised to keep them upright, although you can put it on its side, you have to make sure something like the larger pipe from the compressor is higher than the small tube towards the top of the fridge. not 100% on that one.

Also leave it off for a few hours after moving them to let the refridgerant settle.

this is perfect advise, wont hurt if on side for an hour or so,the longer its on side the longer it needs to sit right way up before turning it back on.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 21-09-2006, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF, What else?

Moving fridges is the worst, last night, woke up and mine was doing Macarena

lol! - next we'll re-visit the 'fridge' jokes from the late 80's... 'why did the kid fall off his bike ? Got hit by a fridge...' 'what's white, blue & fashionable ? Fridge wearing a denim jacket' ..... etc etc. Don't blame me, i didn't write the material.

On topic, i moved a fridge from one side of town to the other a few years back, had it lying on it's back, in a long wheel base van. The fridge seemed to run ok when i set it up again, but i only ran it once to test, and has been un-used since that point.

ThoR_ · 21-09-2006, 09:40 AM

its not good to lean them no but my mates a house mover and it`s all a big myth!

Woz · 21-09-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tufLTD

Thanks for the advice guys, it's appreciated.
It will be sitting for a week or so before I fire it up again, so hopefully it should be OK.

Mate, if the fridge is going to have a week to settle, turn the bloody thing upside down if you really want. If you lay it down, it needs time for everything to settle. A week is a ridiculously long time and if you're in no rush to fire it up, lay it down and slide it into the wagon if you have to. It'll be fine.

By the way, while everyone has their opinions and whatnot, I've worked as a furniture removalist for the last two years.

24 hours is plenty of time for a fridge to settle, even if you tumble it the whole way from one house to another. A week will easily solve any dramas that may arise.

capriv8 · 21-09-2006, 07:21 PM

Also take all the beer cans out before transporting it makes it lighter to move, and put lids on your half eaten takeways to stop it all spilling inside.

rag top · 21-09-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capriv8

Also take all the beer cans out before transporting it makes it lighter to move, and put lids on your half eaten takeways to stop it all spilling inside.

Best tip so far! :evil_laug

Also don't forget to let it defrost properly.