Transporting a fridge – laying down or upright?

Who knows if it is ok or not to lay down a fridge for a three hour transport? I have heard old wives tales regarding this – but nobody that actually knew for certain if it was ok or not. Laying it down would be much preferred.

Tim

I’ve been told you can lay them down as long as you let it set upright for an hour or two before you plug it back in.

Ed

If you have no choice but to lay it down, then most certainly let it set upright for at least the same time it was laying down, BUT, if it were mine I would NOT, no way, no how, transport it that way, find a trailer or a open box pickup and haul it upright…

I believe the problem with laying down a refrigerator is you run the risk of having the liquid state of refrigerant from the hi pressure side of the loop entering the low pressure (vapor) side of the loop. If there is liquid refrigerant entering the low pressure side of your compressor, you run the risk of cracking the compressor since it liquid is considered incompressible.

This is my own theory, but I think it is pretty viable. If you need to lay it down, I would let the system sit back upright for about a day. I would then plug the refrigerator in for about 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time and let it rest for a couple minutes. Maybe repeat 5 times or so.

Good Luck.

I’ve always heard that if you lay it down let it set a few hours befor plugging it in. I’ve never heard of any problems if you let it set awhile.

Hello all,
I work for a large Eastern Iowa appliance manufacturer, in the design group. Yes, like several others have said it is OK to transport them on theit back, just stand them up for a while before you plug them in. Maike sure you don’t mash up anything, like coils etc on the back. If it’s not new it is a good time to blow out the coil at the bottom. Actually to fill a semi trailer, the set a row of them on their backs on top of the ones standing.

Lee

Sounds like a job for Myth Busters

I worked on AC units years ago. Like said if the unit is laid down make sure you stand it up for at least 24 hours to be safe. What happens is the refregerant and oil can accumulate in the head of the compressor and could end up with static lock when plugged back in.

Personallt I allways try and transport standing up.

Good Luck

We hauled one up to Ripley back when I was in the Guards. We were going to use it as a beer fridge for Summer Camp. It didn’t work once we got it up there. Ended up leaving it on the back of the tank outside the main gate late one evening.
Got some cool pictures.