fridge question

[davester]

On the original question, heavy duty motors such as those that drive compressors have a motor starting circuit that draws a lot of current when the motor first starts up. I didn't think they'd be on for a long time after startup, but perhaps that's what's causing the power surge.

[space-time]

[quote davester]On the original question, heavy duty motors such as those that drive compressors have a motor starting circuit that draws a lot of current when the motor first starts up. I didn't think they'd be on for a long time after startup, but perhaps that's what's causing the power surge.
I know that, but this is not a few seconds surge, it's a few minutes, I think it's a defroster.

The question was aimed more at other kill-a-watt users if they noticed the same or not?

[modelamac]

Your meter may be holding the highest draw reading.

Start circuits in motors will spike your readings momentarily.

Defrost heaters are turned on periodically. How often is based either on time or compressor run-time. Which depends on the age, mfr., and model of the fridge.

[OWC Jamie]

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What is a bike ?

[Racer X]

german jockstrap I believe.

[Black Landlord]

[quote billb]<>

What is a bike ?
Who asked "what is a fridge"?

[Racer X]

And, FYI, Frigidaire was a General Motors division until 1972. They made the A/C components. In my old rental duplex I had a tag on my Frigidaire stove that said "Frigidaire by GM", and the seafoam green GM logo. I swiped the tag when I moved out. Someone built the building in '76, and installed used appliances.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

[quote space-time][quote davester]On the original question, heavy duty motors such as those that drive compressors have a motor starting circuit that draws a lot of current when the motor first starts up. I didn't think they'd be on for a long time after startup, but perhaps that's what's causing the power surge.
I know that, but this is not a few seconds surge, it's a few minutes, I think it's a defroster.

The question was aimed more at other kill-a-watt users if they noticed the same or not?
Yeah, my current frost-free fridge does something similar. About once a day it uses 400 W for about 8 minutes. I thought the Kill-a-watt meter was bad or the compressor motor got jammed when starting until I figured what was going on.

[OWC Jamie]

My old side-by-side had tiny thin heater elements around the doors.
There was a switch to shut that function off, but there was one by the handle that never shut off.
Nice to shut off when not needed in the Winter.
I did find the feed wire for that alement (two IIRC) and cut it.
I was suspicious of that fridge being an energy hog and with a amp-hour meter found it was costing me $40.00 a month to run.
I think the new fridge paid for itself in less than 2 years.