polkanut
Well-known member
What is the unit on the top left inside the refrigerator compartment? An ice maker?
1929 Frigidaire
- Thread starter scooter76
- Start date
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Those look like a pair of pull-out ice trays to me. The rest of the unit is just the evaporator, so no freezing compartment other than the slots for the trays.
That's my guess, anyway.
That's my guess, anyway.
That's correct - two aluminum ice trays slide into the evap coil, that's the extent of what you can freeze!! I guess one has to remember this was before the days where frozen foods were commonplace. You went to the store every few days, bought fresh, and ate it before it spoiled.
Well.....
in the 1920s-40s, there were a surprising number of recipes written for frozen desserts that started with "take out the grid of the ice tray, and turn down the temperature."
Some of these recipes were, of course, from General Electric, or Frigidaire, or Kelvinator, but even otherwise reputable sources, like the 1931 Joy of Cooking had some.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
in the 1920s-40s, there were a surprising number of recipes written for frozen desserts that started with "take out the grid of the ice tray, and turn down the temperature."
Some of these recipes were, of course, from General Electric, or Frigidaire, or Kelvinator, but even otherwise reputable sources, like the 1931 Joy of Cooking had some.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
I think it's very interesting that recipes were already taking advantage of frozen dessert options back when freezer volume was no larger than what two ice trays could hold. Talk about impressing your dinner guests!
So Scooter, was the fridge kept running after it landed at the dealer in 1994 or did it sit until you bought it? I'm wondering if this is the classic use-it-or-lose-it scenario, or a case of entitlement after running continuously for 81 years.
So Scooter, was the fridge kept running after it landed at the dealer in 1994 or did it sit until you bought it? I'm wondering if this is the classic use-it-or-lose-it scenario, or a case of entitlement after running continuously for 81 years.
dj-gabriele
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- Jun 24, 2007
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- 1,685
What a wonderful machine!
And in such a perfect preservation state too!
I guess it can't be refilled with a modern refrigerant, isn't it? (unless swapping the cooling circuit of course)
Can I ask what are the power/current/voltage ratings on the compressor?
And in such a perfect preservation state too!
I guess it can't be refilled with a modern refrigerant, isn't it? (unless swapping the cooling circuit of course)
Can I ask what are the power/current/voltage ratings on the compressor?
Unfortunately, I'm not aware of another refrigerant that will operate at such low pressure differentials. It may be possible, but I'd have to convert the cold control to a thermostatic system - it works now off of pressure - there is a barometric bellows in the low side suction line that kicks the motor out at a certain inches of vacuum and kicks it back in at about 5 lbs. pressure.
IIRC, the motor is a 1/4 hp, 5A.
IIRC, the motor is a 1/4 hp, 5A.
Steam boiler stuff?
Look into a vaporstat. A steam boiler runs on very low pressure (heating steam). A steam boiler is turned on and off based on pressure. Normally, this is controlled by a pressuretrol, but it's accuracy isn't good enough to deal with ounces too well when one ounce matters. A vaporstat, however, can detect that kind of small pressure changes and can open and close a circuit to control a boiler's burner. Perhaps, if needed, a vaporstat can be used in your refrigerator.
Clear as mud?
Dave
Look into a vaporstat. A steam boiler runs on very low pressure (heating steam). A steam boiler is turned on and off based on pressure. Normally, this is controlled by a pressuretrol, but it's accuracy isn't good enough to deal with ounces too well when one ounce matters. A vaporstat, however, can detect that kind of small pressure changes and can open and close a circuit to control a boiler's burner. Perhaps, if needed, a vaporstat can be used in your refrigerator.
Clear as mud?
Dave
christfr
Well-known member
hey guy read your post and there is only one man i know that may be able to help you, thats travis. i know how you love that machine and since i love mine the same way. travis sold me a ge monitor top that is in the house and i love it. i also snaggd a 34 frigidaire from him that is perfect but dosnt cool. he seems to be the only person i have run across that really know anything about these machines, maybe he can help or at least explain the machine bette. mail me and ill forward you travis email mail me at [email protected]
Well Chris, that's another beautiful Frigidaire. They really do seem to be the nicest looking early refrigerators, at least in my opinion.
Travis checked in here early on with reply #3 above. I agree that if there's anyone among the membership who can provide assistance and guidance, it's him.
I also think Dave's suggestion of a vaporstat is a great alternative. I would really like to see Scooter get this thing up and running. The way it was constructed, it's got many years of cooling still ahead of it.
Travis checked in here early on with reply #3 above. I agree that if there's anyone among the membership who can provide assistance and guidance, it's him.
I also think Dave's suggestion of a vaporstat is a great alternative. I would really like to see Scooter get this thing up and running. The way it was constructed, it's got many years of cooling still ahead of it.
Hey Chris...that '34 model is beautiful! What's the refrigerant? Is it R-114 or R-12?
Latest development that has me somewhat puzzled: I let the unit sit for about a week and turned it on again - it still exhibited the knocking / hammering sound, so I shut it down. On a whim, a day or two later, I turned it on and it ran perfectly quiet, just like it did when I got it(?!?) It ran through three on/off cycles over about an hour’s time, then the noise returned again. Oddly, it did not come back while it was running – it was humming along quietly, kicked off, then was knocking immediately when it kicked back in again. So, I'm totally baffled. The only thing I can think of is maybe the screen on the receiver end of the liquid line is sucking up some rust or other crud. Liquid flows up that line even when the compressor is off, as soon as the float in the evaporator calls for more liquid. This restriction is, perhaps, causing an abnormally high pressure in the receiver, which is in turn raising the head pressure and causing the knock? Obviously some liquid is getting through, since it does not seem to adversely impact its ability to cool – the coil is still freezing cold. But, whenever it’s knocking, the head and discharge line from the compressor feel somewhat hotter than I think they should, so that would somewhat make sense. I’m guessing that, eventually, the crap fell off and allowed it to briefly run normally again before it again was sucked up? Regardless, I’m now thinking that maybe air has NOT gotten in after all. I really hate to take the caps off of the service valves and start turning them or it WILL definitely start leaking. But, then again, it isn’t very useful as it stands either. Maybe Travis has some ideas?
Latest development that has me somewhat puzzled: I let the unit sit for about a week and turned it on again - it still exhibited the knocking / hammering sound, so I shut it down. On a whim, a day or two later, I turned it on and it ran perfectly quiet, just like it did when I got it(?!?) It ran through three on/off cycles over about an hour’s time, then the noise returned again. Oddly, it did not come back while it was running – it was humming along quietly, kicked off, then was knocking immediately when it kicked back in again. So, I'm totally baffled. The only thing I can think of is maybe the screen on the receiver end of the liquid line is sucking up some rust or other crud. Liquid flows up that line even when the compressor is off, as soon as the float in the evaporator calls for more liquid. This restriction is, perhaps, causing an abnormally high pressure in the receiver, which is in turn raising the head pressure and causing the knock? Obviously some liquid is getting through, since it does not seem to adversely impact its ability to cool – the coil is still freezing cold. But, whenever it’s knocking, the head and discharge line from the compressor feel somewhat hotter than I think they should, so that would somewhat make sense. I’m guessing that, eventually, the crap fell off and allowed it to briefly run normally again before it again was sucked up? Regardless, I’m now thinking that maybe air has NOT gotten in after all. I really hate to take the caps off of the service valves and start turning them or it WILL definitely start leaking. But, then again, it isn’t very useful as it stands either. Maybe Travis has some ideas?
mickeyd
Well-known member
OH MY
It is almost unbelievable that an 81 year old frig fits in perfectly with such a modern kitchen. Classic beauty is timeless and ageless. Simply, STUNNING!
It is almost unbelievable that an 81 year old frig fits in perfectly with such a modern kitchen. Classic beauty is timeless and ageless. Simply, STUNNING!
douglasdc6
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- Apr 11, 2009
- Messages
- 271
This just made my day , Thanks for posting .
I`ll always remember the 1st time I had the opportunity to see the motor room (Refrigeration room ) of an old super market & remember seeing a few belt drive air cooled condensing units still at work - I fell in love at that moment - Over the past 26 years I have managed to save 15 belt drive air cooled refrigeration condensing units from the scrap yard & also have 3 refrigerators like youres That use the belt drives , You are soooo lucky to have a working unit as all mine either have locked up compressors or burned up fan motors .
The seal will more then likely have to be made - As far as sulpher dioxide there are people out their that have the old gases - I met a man in New York years ago who collected old chemicals & had several bottles of the stuff I forgot his name.
Congratulations !!!!! I`m drooling
I`ll always remember the 1st time I had the opportunity to see the motor room (Refrigeration room ) of an old super market & remember seeing a few belt drive air cooled condensing units still at work - I fell in love at that moment - Over the past 26 years I have managed to save 15 belt drive air cooled refrigeration condensing units from the scrap yard & also have 3 refrigerators like youres That use the belt drives , You are soooo lucky to have a working unit as all mine either have locked up compressors or burned up fan motors .
The seal will more then likely have to be made - As far as sulpher dioxide there are people out their that have the old gases - I met a man in New York years ago who collected old chemicals & had several bottles of the stuff I forgot his name.
Congratulations !!!!! I`m drooling
douglasdc6
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- Apr 11, 2009
- Messages
- 271
Forgot to mention.
I hate to say this but if I were you I would keep it original& use it as a static display & keep in mind that the unit could always spring a large leak or the motor could catch fire while youre away If in continous use.
You could always fire it up only when you have guests over .
Just a thought.
I hate to say this but if I were you I would keep it original& use it as a static display & keep in mind that the unit could always spring a large leak or the motor could catch fire while youre away If in continous use.
You could always fire it up only when you have guests over .
Just a thought.
1928 FRIGIDARE
I have the same ref that you do except it is the wider two door model. We bough it at an estate sale around 1980 and after exploring different ways to fix the leaking compressor shaft seal we just converted it an R-12 system around 1981. It has been working perfectly all these years, I will try to find some pictures of it to scan as it is in my mountain house in WV. If you want to E mail me your ph # I will let you know how it was converted John.
I have the same ref that you do except it is the wider two door model. We bough it at an estate sale around 1980 and after exploring different ways to fix the leaking compressor shaft seal we just converted it an R-12 system around 1981. It has been working perfectly all these years, I will try to find some pictures of it to scan as it is in my mountain house in WV. If you want to E mail me your ph # I will let you know how it was converted John.
Douglasdc: I would love to see some pics if you have them of your belt drive condensing units. I am a refrigeration technician for 37 years and when I started back in 1973 alot of grocery stores still had the belt drives. I loved those units and very partial to the older stores.
austinado16
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- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 617
That is one unbelieveable fridge!! Thanks for posting pics!!
Spin-it: Out of curiousity, do you recall what the belt drive units sounded like? Were they noisy? I did some work to mine over the holidays - I think the evap was oil logged and perhaps starving the compressor of oil. This was likely caused by a stuck float valve that was admitting the refrigerant to the evap as a vapor rather than a liquid (no back pressure on the liquid line to keep it as a liquid). With low liquid level in the evap, it could not reach the oil return hole (oil is only slightly soluable in SO2, so it floats on top).
So, it's running again, but there is still some noise evident. Not a loud hammering, but a definite muffled "chunk-chunk" (like an air compressor) but much quieter. Obviosuly there's likely to be wrist pin and crank wear after 80 years, but I'm wondering if some of it is normal? I've never heard another one run, so I have nothing to compare it to.
So, it's running again, but there is still some noise evident. Not a loud hammering, but a definite muffled "chunk-chunk" (like an air compressor) but much quieter. Obviosuly there's likely to be wrist pin and crank wear after 80 years, but I'm wondering if some of it is normal? I've never heard another one run, so I have nothing to compare it to.
Maybe you've seen this...
Perhaps some of you have seen this, but a very interesting photo of a Frigidaire display from 1926 (looks like it's sitting in storage after the event, but obviosuly the heavily frosted "Frigidaire" coil and evaperator units indicate that they were running at the time the photo was taken. Also note the water chiller / drinking fountain on the left. In addition to home refrigerators, Frigidaire was heavily involved in commercial chilling units for drinking water, ice cream freezers, beer coolers, etc. I believe they also sold packaged units for retrofitting the old wooden iceboxes as seen in the photo...
Perhaps some of you have seen this, but a very interesting photo of a Frigidaire display from 1926 (looks like it's sitting in storage after the event, but obviosuly the heavily frosted "Frigidaire" coil and evaperator units indicate that they were running at the time the photo was taken. Also note the water chiller / drinking fountain on the left. In addition to home refrigerators, Frigidaire was heavily involved in commercial chilling units for drinking water, ice cream freezers, beer coolers, etc. I believe they also sold packaged units for retrofitting the old wooden iceboxes as seen in the photo...
crevicetool
Well-known member
scooter76
That fridge is SO cool! (no pun)
I can't believe the wood trim.....
Rick
That fridge is SO cool! (no pun)
I can't believe the wood trim.....
Rick
