We took the coach out for a ride yesterday and when we got back there was a considerable amount of water on the floor from the refrigerator. There was water inside and under the crisper drawers. A search on the internet revealed that these refrigerators are prone to a condensate drain freeze issue. We found a potential fix on the internet and modified it to hopefully be more effective. Here is the link we found:
Samsung refrigerator service and fix: Water pooling below crisper drawers/plu... (http://imgur.com/gallery/otSiW)
We removed the aluminum strap that Samsung had installed in their attempt to avoid this problem. We used #4 Copper wire instead of the #12 copper wire recommended by the internet article. By heating and flattening the wire we were able to increase the contact surface of the copper to the heating element. We also extended the copper wire down into the drain approximately 3". When we opened the compartment we found that the ice plug was quite deep into the drain.
Just curious, how long was your refrigerator running before the condensate drain froze? I thought about doing the same mod on my RF18 before I installed it just to be sure I didn't have this problem but decided I'd wait, hoping Samsung has corrected the issue in the newer model. I try not to leave it running while in storage to make sure there are no surprises but am still considering the "fix" for piece of mind. Anyone else had the same problem with the RF18 yet?
Bob,
Not yet, one more thing to keep an eye out for.
John
It ran about a year before we started noticing water on the floor when we would travel. We didn't realize at first where the water was coming from until now which is about 2 years since we installed the refrigerator. We originally thought that the condensation pan under the unit was not doing what it was supposed to. We live in our coach full time so I'm confident that is making our situation worse than if it was only used periodically.
We have the Samsung RF197, same as Bob and Faith. I really appreciated them posting this info. We have not had any problems with our fridge since installation, and I'd like to keep it that way. Being a "better safe than sorry" type person, I decided to follow their lead.
First, I clicked on the link in their original post. The target web page contains good instructions for removing the inside cover and exposing the cooling coils. Our fridge did not have any ice build-up behind the cover so it came off easily. Once you have the cover off, you can see the much-discussed little aluminum tab right above the drain hole. This is where my opinion differs from the person writing the photo instructions, and from Bob and Faith (no offense meant). They assume the aluminum tab was supposed to hang down into the drain hole and melt ice. I do not agree. I believe the tab is simply a "stand-off" meant to stabilize the bottom loop of the defrost tube, and has nothing to do with defrosting ice. This would explain why it is "too short", even when bent straight down. On our fridge, the tab does not go straight down, but is bent at a 90 degree angle and rests on the aluminum sheet behind the coils. Without this mounting tab, the defrost tube would be very loosely supported, able to move around, and subject to vibration damage.
In my opinion, the original tab should be left in place, and the "fix" should be installed in addition to the original tab. JMHO
Photos below show cover removed, and the original aluminum clip in our fridge.
A Samsung authorized "official" fix is available, which may be employed in lieu of the "do it yourself" approach.
If you follow the link (in the first post) to the photo instructions, read all the way to the bottom, and then read the "comments", you will find a link to a Amazon page. I followed that link, and purchased the product. There are no instructions included with the clip, but at the bottom of the Amazon page we once again find some good instructional info in the "customer reviews".
Amazon.com: SAMSUNG CLIP DRAIN EVAPORATOR REFOEM Original Part: DA61-06796A:... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008KFG9NO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I decided to install the new defrost clip OVER the original tab. It fits perfectly that way, and is very secure. It hangs down into the drain hole, and should keep it free of ice. If I am correct about the purpose of the original clip, then this method leaves it in place to support the defrost tube. If I'm wrong, leaving it in place doesn't hurt anything or interfere with the function of the new clip. In my opinion, this is the best way to handle this mod. Of course, as always, "Do What Makes You Happy". 8)
Problem Solved. Thanks Chuck!
I know this is an old post... However we've been very intermittently fighting this "old" Samsung Condensate Freeze problem in our coach.
We have a Samsung RF18 Residential Fridge that the PO's had installed. Great unit, most of the time...
Several times each year this fridge would produce icebergs under the crisper draws. Seemed to only happen during a spell of really humid weather. We try to stay out of those conditions... Very frustrating as we'd have to throw away lots of fresh produce.
We ordered that drain clip part from Amazon, DA61-06796A Refrigerator Drain Tube Clip Evaporator, $6.
It has worked like a charm now in VERY HUMID weather. NO more ice! Chuck's post and photos were spot-on, Took me about 15 minutes to change the clip, most of the clock was chewed up melting the ice blockage in the drain tube, using a turkey baster to get the ice/water cleared.
Thanks again Chuck for a great write up and photos...
J & K