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Hi All, Thanks to all the great hints on this forum, it appears that I have a bad adaptive defrost board. Multiple experts mention that these boards are problematic. Further, I can't seem to find a exact replacement for my board [all the ones I've seen are mounted in a small white plastic case, my board is a stand-alone unit.] However, I see that multiple mechanical 8hr timers are available. They appear to mechanically fit exactly where the ADB goes; there's even a hole for the rotating shaft in my existing molding. My question: Can I retrofit my fridge with an 8hr mech timer? Would seem to be a more reliable solution. Has anyone done this? -Greg 27 Mar 10 Update -- I went with the 8hr mech timer upgrade, since it was available from appliancepartspros.com for $17, 3-day delivery. I did check out availability of an improved $66 ADB board here { Adaptive Defrost Controls - Capable Controls } but delivery time through the complex distributor chain [3 distrib and 1 wholesaler!] was over two weeks... no stock in the San Francisco area! The new mech timer fit exactly where the old ADB board went, and came with two mounting screws. I wired the timer according to the diagrams in the manual provided by Denman, below. Added four crimp-on spade lugs to adapt the existing wires. One of the five wires wasn't required for the mech timer, so I capped it off. After two weeks the timer still works great, no noticeable ice buildup.
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If the wiring connector is identical, I would say yes.
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Originally Posted by: magician59  If the wiring connector is identical, I would say yes. The connectors are different, but shouldn't the functionality be the same? I'm assuming that I'll have to re-crimp some spade lugs to adapt to the 8hr timer.
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Here is the manual for these unit which should help http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/16010154.pdf[COLOR="Blue"]The connectors are different, but shouldn't the functionality be the same?[/COLOR] A timer will probably cost you more in energy since it does not vary the defrost cycle frequency. You list your unit 5 to 10 years old so if this is the first one you have replaced I personally would replace it with an adaptive board. If you do decide to go the timer route you could use another model number from the manual to find a timer that will fit properly. |
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Adaptive defrost boards blow out from power surges.
To prevent this, I would add a 1000 Joule surge protector to the wall outlet.
These are available at Lowe's and you must select one designed for refrigerators. Comes in a blue box, $12.95
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Originally Posted by: denman Here is the manual for these unit which should help http://www.servicematters.com/m...ibrary/docs/16010154.pdfThe connectors are different, but shouldn't the functionality be the same? A timer will probably cost you more in energy since it does not vary the defrost cycle frequency. You list your unit 5 to 10 years old so if this is the first one you have replaced I personally would replace it with an adaptive board. If you do decide to go the timer route you could use another model number from the manual to find a timer that will fit properly. Awesome, thanks for the manual. I had googled everywhere for that! Guess I'm a bit miffed seeing they use a PIC microcontroller on the ADB. I have some experience with PICs. Like any uC they can latch up, requiring a power-off reset. This is not a technology I would have chosen to replace a simpler, more reliable mechanical timer. Also, the mech timer appears to have 15A contacts where the ADB relay is rated at 10A. The marginal power savings of an ADB even over several years is easily wiped out by me having to spend a weekend tearing the fridge apart, and buying replacement components. From the manual it looks like the mech timer upgrade is relatively straightforward. I have some crimp lugs for it.
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Originally Posted by: richappy Adaptive defrost boards blow out from power surges.
To prevent this, I would add a 1000 Joule surge protector to the wall outlet.
These are available at Lowe's and you must select one designed for refrigerators. Comes in a blue box, $12.95 Always good advise. Also check with your local electrician: In my area a typical (1800-2200 sq ft) house can be "Whole House" surge protected for around $200. A fantastic deal, considering that an electric range, electric dryer, and an electric water heater are otherwise hard to protect.
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A mechanical defrost timer draws about 300 watts for about 40 minutes in 24 hours. A adaptive defrost timer will make this time less as a function of door openings and other factors. In the end, you will probably save $2-4 a month with the adaptive defrost, which is rather small.These figures are just a rough estimate.
Thus, considering everything with this particular case, I would use the mechanical defrost timer.
If anyone has better/more accurate data, please jump in.
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Originally Posted by: gleyh Hi All, Thanks to all the great hints on this forum, it appears that I have a bad adaptive defrost board. Multiple experts mention that these boards are problematic. Further, I can't seem to find a exact replacement for my board [all the ones I've seen are mounted in a small white plastic case, my board is a stand-alone unit.] However, I see that multiple mechanical 8hr timers are available. They appear to mechanically fit exactly where the ADB goes; there's even a hole for the rotating shaft in my existing molding. My question: Can I retrofit my fridge with an 8hr mech timer? Would seem to be a more reliable solution. Has anyone done this? -Greg 27 Mar 10 Update -- I went with the 8hr mech timer upgrade, since it was available from appliancepartspros.com for $17, 3-day delivery. I did check out availability of an improved $66 ADB board here { Adaptive Defrost Controls - Capable Controls } but delivery time through the complex distributor chain [3 distrib and 1 wholesaler!] was over two weeks... no stock in the San Francisco area! The new mech timer fit exactly where the old ADB board went, and came with two mounting screws. I wired the timer according to the diagrams in the manual provided by Denman, below. Added four crimp-on spade lugs to adapt the existing wires. One of the five wires wasn't required for the mech timer, so I capped it off. After two weeks the timer still works great, no noticeable ice buildup. Hi I am interested in doing this same thing, however I do not see any manual below. Can you help by any chance? I just need to know the wiring configuration, I have blade terminals and defrost timers. Thanks! J James
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