FIXED U-Line Beverage Center U-1175BEVSS-00 -- not cooling

[flossy21]

Model Number

U-1175BEVSS-00

Age

6-10 years

Our U-Line Beverage/Wine Cooler recently stopped cooling. It is model #U-1175BEVSS-00

We purchased this unit new from Ferguson in 2014.

I reached out to U-Line and was given a list of local companies that supposedly do repair work but each of them has said they do not work on these units. This was a $2,000+ unit when we purchased it new back in 2014 timeframe.

With the help of Youtube videos and online research I've done some basic troubleshooting. The interior light is working. The unit is plugged into an outlet. The digital control panel inside the unit seems to be working normally. The condenser fins are clean. The condenser fan is running fine. The compressor seems to be running. I can feel it vibrate and it feels warm to the touch. When the unit is plugged in and compressor is running I can plainly hear the sound of liquid moving through the evaporator panel in the back of the unit if I open the door. There is no evaporator fan on this unit.

I unplugged the wire that goes to the thermistor inside the unit and both the compressor and condenser fan stopped. When I plug the thermistor in again they both start up again after a few seconds.

I'm guessing that it is low on refrigerant but this is a sealed system so I have no way to confirm without installing a bullet piercing valve and buying a Freon gauge.

I am probably going to try and install a bullet piercing valve and charge the system. It's <$50 in cost and might save this thing. Have I missed anything here?

 

[Dan O.]

I'm guessing that it is low on refrigerant

That sounds like a real possibility.

I am probably going to try and install a bullet piercing valve and charge the system.

If you want any hope of fixing it, I'd suggest you don't. IF it is out of refrigerant it means there is a leak (ie. a hole in the system). Just putting in more refrigerant won't fix it for long without isolating and repairing the leak first. Most refrigeration technicians won't touch it after the system is tampered with.

I'd suggest you keep calling around to try to find a qualified refrigeration technician to look at it, even one that might not normally service U-line products. BTW. U-line makes some models for Viking. One of their service depots might be willing to service it. You might also ask a Sub-Zero agent as they have similar products and might be willing.

You won't receive much advice here on refrigeration work so you'll likely be on your own if you do attempt it.

JMO

Dan O.

 

[flossy21]

Dan O.,

I took your advice and called a place about an hour away that works on Viking units. It turns out they will work on the U-Liine stuff as well. I'm going to load it up and take it to them early next week. They are charing $45 to diagnose which seems like a good deal to me. Thanks for your help.

Regards,
flossy21

 

[Dan O.]

[I'll] take it to them early next week. They are charging $45 to diagnose which seems like a good deal to me.

Places that have a shop you can take it to can save you some $$$. Too bad such places are getting rare.

Let us know how you make out. Good luck!


Dan O.

 

[flossy21]

Places that have a shop you can take it to can save you some $$$. Too bad such places are getting rare.

Let us know how you make out. Good luck!


Dan O.

I picked up the repaired Uline beverage cooler yesterday and it is cooling normally again. It cost me $395 total and they credited me the $45 evaluation fee. Here's what they did per the invoice...

12/20/2022 : Found refrigerant leak on the heat exchanger. Need to repair leak, will need to replace filter drier, evacuate and recharge with R134A. Labor $395.00 flat rate including misc supplies.
12/27/2022 : corrected leak on heat exchanger with red epoxy. Replaced Filter Drier. Evacuated and recharged 3.25 oz of R134. Tested good


Thank you for the good advice!

 

[Dan O.]

Glad you got it going again. Thanks for the followup.


Dan O.