Hot take: buying a thermal imager was way smarter than guessing with a multimeter every time

I spent about 6 months chasing a fridge compressor issue in a 2019 Whirlpool by using my clamp meter and checking resistances. Finally broke down and got a Flir One for $200 at a pawn shop in Denver. Found the relay was barely clicking and running hot, but the compressor itself was fine. Replaced that $12 part instead of swapping a $400 compressor and the thing has been running smooth for 3 months now. Anyone else find thermal imaging saved them more time than it cost?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliver_anderson9d ago

I get what you're saying, but I kinda see it differently. Your Flir One find was a good deal, but most folks don't stumble into pawn shops for gear like that. I've been burned by thermal cams before - the cheap phone ones have bad resolution and miss small hot spots. For me, a decent multimeter with a thermocouple probe has been plenty for 90% of HVAC and appliance work, and it costs a lot less upfront.

kim_martin9d ago

Agree 100% man. I did the same dance with a Samsung fridge last year, tested everything with my meter for like two weeks and it pointed to the main board. A buddy let me borrow his thermal cam and I found the start relay was getting way too hot but the compressor wasn't, swapped it for $8 and it's still running. Saves so much guessing.