Failure of a compressor is a critical situation for any refrigerator owner Biryusa, since this unit is responsible for circulating the refrigerant and creating low temperatures. When the motor stops or starts making uncharacteristic sounds, the temperature inside the chamber quickly rises, threatening food spoilage. In such cases, a master or an experienced amateur is faced with the task of carrying out a high-quality replacement of the unit, which requires not only physical effort, but also a deep understanding of the principles of operation of the refrigeration circuit. Errors at the connection stage can lead to instant combustion of the new engine or depressurization of the system.
The process of replacing the motor in models Biryusa has its own specific features related to the design of the frame and the location of the controls. Before you start actively disconnecting wires and resoldering tubes, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis to make sure that the problem lies in the compressor, and not in the start relay or thermostat. Incorrect diagnosis is the most common reason why, after an expensive replacement, the refrigerator still does not start to freeze. In this article we will analyze each stage in detail: from dismantling the old equipment to the final leak test and filling the system with freon.
It is worth noting right away that work related to violating the integrity of the refrigeration circuit requires special tools and certain skills. If you do not have experience working with a gas burner or vacuum pump, it is better to entrust this task to service center professionals. However, if you are determined to connect the compressor to the refrigerator Biryusa on your own, you will need to strictly follow the technological map and observe safety precautions when working with flammable gases and high pressure.
Diagnostics of the malfunction and preparation for replacement
The first step before connecting a new compressor is to finally make sure that the old unit is faulty. Users often confuse the failure of the start-up relay with a breakdown of the engine itself. Refrigerators Biryusa often use compressors of the brand Atlant or Donper, which can hum, but do not start due to jamming of the piston group or breakage of the winding. To check, you need to ring the windings with a multimeter: the resistance between the starting and working windings should be within normal limits, and between the housing and the terminals - infinite.
If the diagnostics have confirmed that the motor is “dead,” the preparation stage begins. You will need to completely empty the refrigerator of food, defrost it and move it away from the wall to provide access to the back wall. It is important to ensure good lighting of the work area, since many elements are located in hard-to-reach places. Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the device from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket to eliminate the risk of electric shock when working with wires.
For successful replacement you will need the following set of tools and materials:
- 🔧 A set of wrenches and screwdrivers (phillips and flat).
- 🔥 Gas torch (propane-butane mixture) and solder.
- 🔩 Pipe cutter, rolling and brush for stripping pipes.
- ⚡ Multimeter for checking electrical circuits.
- 🧪 Vacuum pump and pressure gauge station for refueling.
Pay special attention when choosing a new compressor. It must be identical in capacity, refrigerant (R134a or R600a) and oil type to the original unit. Using an unsuitable motor will lead to incorrect operation of the system or its rapid failure. The nameplate of the old compressor contains all the necessary information: model, voltage, shaft speed and type of refrigerant.
Removing the old compressor and preparing the pipes
The dismantling process begins with removing the protective casing located in the lower rear part of the refrigerator Biryusa. Under it you will see the compressor itself, the capacitor (black coil or grille) and the start relay. The first step is to carefully remove the relay and terminal block from the compressor contacts. Usually they are fixed with plastic latches or simply sit tightly on the terminals; you need to pull carefully so as not to damage the wires.
Next follows the most critical stage - disconnecting the copper tubes. Do not use wire cutters or a hacksaw under any circumstances for cutting the tubes under pressure, if there is still freon in the system, although in old refrigerators it may no longer be there. The best way is to make a notch with a pipe cutter or file at a distance of 10-15 cm from the compressor, then break the pipe and quickly solder both ends to prevent air and moisture from entering the system. After bleeding off the remaining gas (if there were any), you can safely saw through the suction and discharge tubes.
Why should you not leave the tubes open?
If you leave the copper tubes open even for a short time, moisture from the air will get into the system. In combination with oil and freon, moisture forms an acid that corrodes the compressor windings from the inside, leading to its early death. Therefore, the ends of the pipes must be immediately soldered or closed with plugs.
After disconnecting the pipes, the compressor is attached to the refrigerator frame using four shock absorbers or bolts. Models Biryusa often use a spring suspension system. Carefully unscrew the nuts, supporting the heavy unit, and remove it from the niche. Be careful: the weight of the compressor can reach 10-12 kg. Inspect the condition of the rubber shock absorbers; if they have dried out or lost elasticity, they must be replaced, otherwise the new motor will vibrate and make a lot of noise.
Electrical connection diagram
Electrical connection of the compressor in refrigerators Biryusa usually standardized, but always check the color coding of the wires. The start relay has three main contacts: common (C), start (S) and run (R). On the terminal block of the new compressor they are also marked with corresponding letters or located in a certain geometry. An error in the connection can lead to the humming of the motor without starting or instant burning of the windings.
The standard connection diagram is as follows:
- ⚡ Common wire (Common): usually black or white, comes directly from the thermostat.
- 🔄 Working winding (Run): often a brown or red wire.
- 🚀 Start winding (Start): usually a blue or yellow wire, connected through the start relay.
When installing a new relay, make sure that it sits tightly on the compressor contacts. Sometimes a slight rocking from side to side is required to get a proper fit. If your refrigerator Biryusa has an old-style relay with an external capacitor, check its capacity with a tester. The capacitor helps start the motor, and if it is swollen or has lost capacity, the compressor will hum, but will not start, even if it is in good working order.
In some modern models there may be inverter compressors, the connection diagram of which is radically different and requires a special electronic control unit. In such cases, a simple replacement with a conventional PSC motor is impossible without replacing the entire electrical circuit, which is not economically feasible. Therefore, when purchasing spare parts, always check the type of engine.
Soldering copper tubes and sealing the system
After installing the new compressor in place, it is necessary to connect its suction and discharge pipes with the corresponding pipes of the refrigeration circuit. Before soldering, the ends of copper pipes must be cleaned with a brush until shiny to remove oxides. A nut is put on the tube (if the connection is threaded) or simply inserted into the pipe with a slight interference fit. It is important that the tube enters the compressor nozzle at least 15-20 mm for reliable sealing.
The soldering process requires care. The burner flame is directed to the joint, heating both parts evenly. When the copper heats up to a dark cherry color, apply a rod of solder. The solder should melt from the heat of the pipe, and not from the flame of the burner, flowing into the gap under the action of capillary effect. The type of solder is selected depending on the material of the pipes: for copper with copper you can use phosphorus-containing solder without flux, for copper with steel (compressor pipes) you definitely need silver solder and flux.
| Connection type | Soldering temperature | Required solder | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper - Copper | ~700°C | Phosphorus (BCuP) | Self-fluxing, does not require additional flux |
| Copper - Steel | ~800°C | Silver (BAg) | Requires the mandatory use of flux |
| Aluminum - Copper | ~450°C | Special. solder for Al | Complicated soldering, requires low temperature conditions |
After the seams have cooled, it is necessary to visually inspect them for cracks or sagging. A high-quality seam should be smooth and uniform. If you're new to soldering, practice on scraps of pipe to get a feel for how solder behaves. Overheating of the compressor during soldering is unacceptable: warm the tube as far as possible from the motor housing, using a damp rag to cool the compressor body, so as not to damage the internal insulation of the windings.
Evacuation and refrigerant charging
Assembly of the mechanical part is completed, but the system is still filled with air, which contains moisture and nitrogen. Starting the compressor with air inside the circuit will lead to the formation of an ice plug in the capillary and oxidation of the oil. Therefore, the vacuum stage is mandatory. A manometric manifold and a vacuum pump are connected to the process fitting (which you most likely welded instead of the cut-off filling tube).
☑️ Vacuum checklist
Evacuation is carried out for 15-30 minutes until a residual pressure close to absolute vacuum is achieved. This removes all moisture from the system, which boils and evaporates at low pressure even at room temperature. Only after creating a deep vacuum can you begin refueling. The amount of refrigerant (freon R134a or isobutane R600a) is strictly regulated by the manufacturer and indicated on the refrigerator nameplate Biryusa (usually from 50 to 140 grams).
⚠️ Attention: The refrigerator is refilled only when it is turned off and only with liquid refrigerant fraction (turning the cylinder upside down) if pure freon is used. For accurate dosage, be sure to use an electronic scale. Charging “by eye” or by pressure in a system without a scale is unacceptable, as it will lead to either under-metering (poor cooling) or over-metering (liquid freon will enter the compressor and cause water hammer).
After filling the required amount of refrigerant, seal the filling tube. Turn on the refrigerator and check its operation. The suction pressure in the system must correspond to the boiling point of freon. For R134a this is approximately -0.1...-0.3 Bar (vacuum) in static conditions and a slight excess pressure in operation; for R600a the pressure is always below atmospheric. The exact pressure parameters depend on the ambient temperature and the load on the evaporator.
Tightness check and test run
The final stage is checking the assembled system for leaks. Even a microscopic leak will eventually lead to a complete loss of freon and repeated repairs. The most reliable way is to wash all solder joints and pipe joints with soapy water. Inflated bubbles will indicate the location of the leak. You can also use an electronic leak detector that reacts to refrigerant vapor.
Start the refrigerator and leave it running for several hours without loading food. Pay attention to the following parameters:
- 🌡️ Temperature: The freezer should gain cold evenly, starting from the evaporator zone.
- 🔊 Noise: The operation of the new compressor should be quiet, without knocking, clanging or strong vibration.
- 🔥 Heating: The condenser (grid at the back) should be heated evenly over the entire area, and the filter-drier should be warm.
During the test run, periodically check the temperature of the compressor housing. It should be hot (up to 80-90°C at discharge), but not red-hot. Excessive heating may indicate improper filling, air leaks or problems with ventilation (if the model Biryusa has forced cooling of the compressor area). If all parameters are normal and the temperature in the chambers has reached the specified values (-18°C in the freezer, +4°C in the refrigerator), the repair can be considered successfully completed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to replace the compressor on a Biryusa refrigerator to an analogue from another manufacturer?
Yes, it is possible if the main technical characteristics match: power (or productivity in Wh), type of refrigerant, overall dimensions and type of oil. Often Biryusu motors are installed on Atlant, Donper or Secop. The main thing is that the mounting holes match or can be adapted, and the electrical circuit matches.
Is it necessary to change the filter drier when replacing the compressor?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement. The filter drier is a disposable element. When the circuit is opened, it becomes saturated with moisture from the air and loses its properties. Installing a new filter ensures that the system is cleaned of moisture and oil breakdown products, preventing clogging of the capillary tube.
Why does the refrigerator not turn off after replacing the compressor?
There may be several reasons: freon leak (insufficient sealing of the solder), incorrect amount of refrigerant charged, thermostat malfunction or air ingress into the system. It is also possible that the new compressor has a lower capacity, and it simply does not have time to reach the temperature during the standard operating cycle.
What type of freon is used in Biryusa refrigerators?
Most modern models Biryusa use environmentally friendly refrigerant R600a (isobutane) or R134a. The exact type is indicated on a sticker inside the refrigerator compartment or on the compressor nameplate. Mixing different types of freons is strictly prohibited, since they require different types of compressor oil.