Aquarium chiller issues

[xeon]

I have an air conditioner unit that I use with a salt water fish tank. My understanding is that it has a titanium structure of some sort that water runs through and is cooled as needed to the set temperature.

I noticed in the last two days, it isn't engaging. The fan is running, but in stead of the "refrigerator" sound coming on, it just clicks. It does seem to catch and run a little though.

I'll probably pull it and take it to a shop or give the guy I have do my heating and cooling a shot at it... but I'd like to figure out what the issue might be. Could it be low coolant, low pressure scenario?

Questions, comments, etc. welcomed. I can also take pics if that helps.

[wingman]

Do you have a brand/model name ?

Perhaps a photograph of the interior might give others and me a little hint :)

[Brian_UK]

Clicking sound may be compressor trying to start but failing.

Has the unit been working correctly up until this point? By that I mean has the running time been normal.

If it has been running for a longer time than usual it is possible that it is running low on refrigerant due to a leak; or there may be a blockage within the system.

The compressor has possibly overheated and the safety switch (Klixon) has operated.

Yes, suggest you get a technician to look at before you loose your tank livestock.

[xeon]

I will crack into it in a bit, but I went ahead and snapped some pics of the easy parts... i.e. the outside.

I suppose it has been operating as usual(until now), but I really don't pay a whole lot of attention to it other than keeping the radiator cleaned out from time to time.

Tried using imageshack for pics, but it wouldn't let me.... so they're attached.

[xeon]

Well... through some fortunate events I figured out what was wrong with it and replaced the relay and over load parts on the compressor.

It works just as good as new I suppose... great time to clean it real well since you have to remove the shrouds on the side of the unit.

[Brian_UK]

Well done Xeon and thanks for the update.

Let's hope for many more years of comfortable fish. :)

[Don Davis]

I happened to notice a banner advertisement on this site that may be helpful to you in the future or for stand-by spares... It's an E-bay power seller. Just go to google and do a search for "aqua_eworld" and you will find them.