Freezer question

[Boomzilla]

This is out there, but I don't see any "Freezer Facts" websites where I could ask - so...

We have a small freezer (about 2 CF). When it is first turned on, the compressor runs continuously. While the compressor runs, the temperature of the outside walls of the freezer rise to between 125 and 140 degrees F. Once the internal temperature is down, the compressor runs only intermittently, and the freezer walls drop to just above ambient.

Is this normal? Wife is concerned that the compressor will ignite if it gets too hot. I contend that this heat is within the design of the freezer. Any refrigeration gurus on the Lounge?

Thanks - Boomzilla

[mgbpuff]

Normal. The smaller the motor for a given hp, the higher the temp rise, and the better the winding insulation has to be. When I was working as a motor and control engineer, even manufacturing savvy people would worry about the surface of a motor almost being too hot to touch, but it's normal these days. Also the heat you are removing inside the freezer is released into the environment also - unavoidable science!

[petew]

I'm not a freezer guru by any stretch, but makes sense, assuming your freezer is using the cabinet as the condenser. Heat has to go somewhere, so until the interior is at the set point, it'll be dumping the excess heat into the outside skin

[novisnick]

Over the past 30+ years we at criticschoicecenla.com have purchased, repaired and replaced more freezers than I care to think about! 😳 Boomzilla , your freezer is acting normally. They extract heat from with in the cavity and have to “exchange” it with air outside of it. Very normal and nothing to worry about.
My walk-in freezer is an ice cream freezer, Its approximately 6’x12’x12’ and runs at -20*f with a 30 knot wind in your face. Anybody ever want to chill out, I have just the place. LOL

[Boomzilla]

Thanks - I finally found enough references (including yours) to convince the boss that it was safe to run. It's now full of frozen goods, the compressor runs rarely, and the outside walls are barely lukewarm. But it's yet another example of "don't confuse her with facts - her mind's made up!"

Even so, all's well that ends well!

Boom

[garbulky]

Sept 26, 2020 12:56:14 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Thanks - I finally found enough references (including yours) to convince the boss that it was safe to run. It's now full of frozen goods, the compressor runs rarely, and the outside walls are barely lukewarm. But it's yet another example of "don't confuse her with facts - her mind's made up!"

Even so, all's well that ends well!

Boom

I got a $150 small standalone freezer whose cabinet doesn't get hot from Wally world if that helps. It was on discount so it may be about $250 now.