I have to move an old whirlpool freezer on its side. should the compressor be at the top or the bottom of the freezer when it's laying down?

The following is the GE moving instructions. If you have started before the 24 hour rest period and the unit had been rotated from vertical have the compressor inspected.

FREEZER MOVING INSTRUCTIONS Please use the following steps when relocating an upright or chest freezer:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the wall receptacle.
2. Remove the food, defrost, and clean the freezer.
3. Use blankets to protect the freezer finish from scratches.
4. Place the freezer on its side for moving only if you have no other choice.
5. When transporting a freezer, keep it in an upright position. If transporting it in an upright position is not possible, lay it down on the compressor side of the unit. Be careful to secure the door to prevent it from opening.
6. If it has been transported on its side, set it right side up in its final location and allow the freezer to sit for the same amount of time that it was on its side (24 hrs max.). Do not plug the unit into the electrical receptacle without allowing this settling time. The unit can be damaged if it is plugged in prematurely.

If the unit was transported in an upright position there is no waiting time required.


Hope this helps?

Seal needs to be replaced around door. Make sure magnetic strip is tight against sides of refrigerator, even if you have to cut the outside so it lays flat against the sides.

It is possible to cause an air lock when moving an appliance by tilting it and then not allowing the refrigerent to settle before switching on. Try unplugging it and laying it on its side for a couple of minutes, then put it upright and leave it for 6 hours to settle, then plug it in again.

Hi,
As long as the freezer is not plugged in while on it's side and after you put it right side up you wait an hour to let all the compressor oil drain back to normal nothing bad can happen.

You can lay the freezer on its side to move. If it is on its side for over 30 Min's though you will need to stand it up for 24 hrs before you plug it back in to the power. You need to do this so the freon settles back to the compressor.

It is always best to move them standing up.

I would not lay it down but if you can get around it lay it down so the compressor is at the bottom. DO NOT TURN ON FOR 24 HOURS AFTER STANDING UP.

Hi, to be honest if you lay it on its side, more than likely you will burn out the compressor on start-up. I have seen this happen so many times, as the refrigerant mixes with the compressor oil, and even though the 3 windings are coated/insulated, just the slightest deterioration of a winding and the mixture of oil and freon clinging to the start, run, or common winding will cause a burn out. In my early years of installing compressor in a/c units on top of shopping centers, I would have to rope the new compressor up 2 stories. Get it 1/2 way up but have to lower it down just to heavy and have them fall over on there side just long enough for me to climb down and upright it. Anyway, I would install it and start it up and they would burn out in less then 2 minutes!! But, I have done this and been Ok, if you lay it down, a refrigerator or freezer to move it and it would be fine if you do this before you plug it in. When you get where you are going, do not plug it in for a minimum of 72 hours!! This will give the unit plenty of time for the oil and freon to seperate and you will be fine. Yes, it is always recommended not to lay a refrigerated unit on its back or side for good reason. But like I say, I have moved many and if you don't get temped to plug it in sooner, you will be good to go. I hope I didn't scare you its just not good practice to do this, but 72 hours or even longer if you can wait would be better. The longer the better chances you will have, and it will run fine. Keep me posted.
Sincerely,
Shastalaker7

Shouldn't be a problem in itself, but it's prudent to let the freezer stand the right way up for an hour or two before you turn it back on.

there would be a problem if you lay it down. it should be moved up right or max 45 degrees tilt only. oil in the compressor could go to the evaporator and clog it.

front handles could be remove only from the inside. you have to remove the plastic rack of the door and remove the insulation in order to see the bolt holding the handle.

tnx 4 using fixya,

drcool

someone suggested to me the other day to put weter foods closer to the top the ones with dripin water and more solids down at bottom they said this changes the climate inside to be more economical
im just passing this info cause ive never had or been in contact with a upright freezer