82 years old and back in business

ChrisJ

I posted about this a while ago and just wanted to update the few that were interested.
My 1933 fridge is finally complete and back in use as of July 4th 2015.

Current cycle times are approximately 6 minutes on 13 minutes off with a cabinet temp of around 31F. Power consumption is 170W for a few seconds dropping down to around 168W which then continues to slow drop until the machine shuts off at around 153W. This is including the 12W crank case heater's consumption. Power factor is around 0.6. The 12W crank case heater is required because the compressor dome is the highside and the refrigerant likes to condense and lay under the oil.

Refrigerant is methyl formate. Oil is around 2 quarts of highly refined "Nujol" mineral oil according to the service manual. The oil floats on top of the refrigerant and is removed from the evaporator via a skimmer.

When running hard such as freezing ice the condenser runs in the high 90s and the top of the compressor around 104F which gives a high side pressure of around 3 PSI. The evaporator runs between 8F and 14F which gives a lowside pressure of between 25" and 26" HG although it has no issue pulling it below 27" HG if it runs long enough.

I had to convert this from a highside float to a capillary tube as the valve seat was badly damaged. I'm told, with a float valve the cycle times are typically slightly better than I'm seeing but I guess it is what it is.

82 years old and still pumping like the day it was made. Isn't it amazing what can be made if a company engineers it to last?

This has a rotary compressor that according to GE was "machined to a few ten-thousandths of an inch". So far, I've yet to see another and I expect it's due to the tolerances required for it to work. It has a centrifugal type unloader as well as some how supplies the bearings with oil under pressure. There's a fan on top which I assume is to help cool the windings.

Here are two short videos of a compressor someone removed from a unit because it was seized. After removing it he was able to free it up by hand.

Compressor running exposed
https://youtu.be/bfkNLHy9nkw

Compressor turned by hand to show how it pumps
https://youtu.be/gn0u7dFBCTk











@Techman

Techman

ChrisJ, I'm gonna track you down and shake your hand. I am truly truly impressed.

unclejohn

Where's the beer. Eggs don't need 31* Sprite and butter don't either.

ChrisJ

unclejohn said:

Where's the beer. Eggs don't need 31* Sprite and butter don't either.

I'm currently trying real hard to drop the sprite zero and drink 100% water, I'm hoping I can finally make the switch.

However, I like all of my drinks to be as cold as possible without freezing and I don't drink alcohol. Yes, I know, I'm boring.

BobC

About 10 years ago I stopped drinking soda, all I drink now are flavored seltzers. They have no sugar and no questionable sugar substitutes, When I want something with more zest I just add a few ounces of gin.

Bob

Fred

I love that thing!

KC_Jones

@ChrisJ I drink lots of water, I just prefer it with grains and hops. Yuengling Summer Wheat delicious.

ChrisJ

KC_Jones said:

@ChrisJ I drink lots of water, I just prefer it with grains and hops. Yuengling Summer Wheat delicious.

You already know my thoughts.

Dave in QCA

Fantastic!!!
I have a 1940 Model GE Frig that started short cycling. On time is about 30-40 seconds. I suspect it is the relay-overload, but could sure use come advice from someone who knows what they're doing.

ChrisJ

Dave in QCA said:

Fantastic!!!
I have a 1940 Model GE Frig that started short cycling. On time is about 30-40 seconds. I suspect it is the relay-overload, but could sure use come advice from someone who knows what they're doing.

Do you hear the evaporator boiling during that 30-40 seconds? Does it seem to cool at all? My first assumption is stuck float valve assuming the compressor starts.

I'm not the best to ask and you'll get far better answers if you post about it on our forum. I'm guessing yours is a CF machine?

http://monitortop.freeforums.net/

Dave in QCA

Thanks, I'll get back to you

vaporvac

Late to the party here, @chrisj, but still wanted to congratulate you on finally getting her done. Still beautiful after all these years (and a lot of hard work.)

@Dave in QCA , you should join the monitor top forum. they post other fridges like mine and 't seen you posting here for a while...welcome back.

ChrisJ

I'm still amazed at what it sounds like every time it starts and shuts off. It sounds completely different from any compressor I've ever had.

That, and the thermostat clicks fairly loud.