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Topic: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze  (Read 1190 times) previous topic - next topic

Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

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...
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. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #1 –
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?

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #2 –
Bob,
    Not yet, one more thing to keep an eye out for.

John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #3 –
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. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #4 –
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.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #5 –

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:...

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)

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1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Samsung RF197 Condensate Drain Freeze

Reply #6 –
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 
Jeff & Kristen
2002 U320 build #6039
Living the Dream!