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Question about diagnosing fridge compressor issues

I used to just listen for the hum and check for power, but after a string of misdiagnoses last year, I started using a Supco M500 multimeter to check the windings and the actual amp draw. The change came after I replaced a perfectly good compressor on a Whirlpool in a client's home in Tempe, only to find it was a bad relay. Now I always verify with the meter first. What's your go-to method for a solid compressor diagnosis before you pull the trigger on a replacement?
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3 Comments
jamie794
jamie7941mo agoMost Upvoted
My Supco CL440 amp clamp is the first tool out of the bag now. Checking actual run amps against the data plate tells you everything.
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hollyramirez
Ever notice how a high amp draw with normal voltage just screams a mechanical bind? That clamp saved me last week on a blower that looked fine but was pulling way over. Data plate numbers don't lie.
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walker.hayden
Hey @jamie794, you ever run into weird readings that still point to a bad relay?
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