1952 Kelvinator Refrigerator

[rp2813]

Thanks Ken.  I'll check that out. 

 

The top tray does indicate that the holes should be to the rear for "warm weather operation," and while I don't know what they consider to be warm weather, we're getting into the cooler patterns that will remain until April or May, so turning that tray around may help.  I'll do that and report in after the change has had time to take effect.

 

[rp2813]

It's been about six hours since I turned the tray around and the thermometer readout is up to 39.   By morning I should know whether I'll need to actually turn the temperature control more in the "colder" direction.

 

I suspect that reversing the tray is also helping to lower the temperature in the freezer.  I haven't checked how cold the freezer is yet.  I like that it has a door gasket to help maintain low temperature inside the freezing compartment, and perhaps reduce frost accumulation in there as well.

 

[rp2813]

It seems to have maxed out at 40.

 

I moved the water cup to the rear of the fridge and it dropped one degree in about 30 minutes' time -- after the fridge had cycled once since relocation.  We'll see how much colder it gets, if at all, then adjust as needed for +/- 35 back there.  I noticed a big difference when I cracked open a 40-degree beer last night.  Not cold enough for me!

 

[ken]

Some pics

Ralph,

Here's some pics of my '48. I also took some measurements which are:

Cabinet: 60" T x 31" W x 18 1/2" D
Interior: 25 1/2" W x 26 5/8" T (from glass above crispers to underside of freezer box)
Freezer: 23 5/8" W x 7 11/16" T x 12" D
Glass above crispers: 24 3/16" L x 12 1/8" W x 3/16" thick

I was incorrect in my original post above that there should be glass covering the tilt out fruit bin. The underside of the crispers are the only cover over it. The support post for the bottom shelf seems to be missing so is not shown. It had a rubber foot at the bottom.

I decided to fire it up while taking the pics. It had been many years since last run. Ran without issue and the bottom of the freezer box started to frost over in about 5 minutes.

 

[rp2813]

Ken, thanks for the excellent pictures!  It appears I have just the one surviving metal piece that belongs in the middle where the two crispers meet.  It's highly unlikely that I'll ever find that entire glass shelf assembly, so the crispers are being used for storage atop my Penncrest freezer in the basement.

 

Meanwhile, with the cold control dead in the middle, the water in the cup at the front of the lower shelf is holding in the 36-37 range.  In the morning, the readout indicates 36, and during the day it's 37.  I don't think I can do any better than that.  Now I'm anxious to see how cold it is in the freezer.

 

While I'm not super impressed with the build quality -- like no porcelain coating on the crispers, or the exterior aesthetics like the (IMO) unsightly piano hinges for the door, I'm very impressed with the durability of the mechanical system, particularly after reading the report about your fridge firing right up and cooling after sitting idle for a few years.  I have no idea when my fridge last ran before it was tested out at the estate sale where I got it, but I'm thinking it may have also sat idle for quite a while.

 

I haven't quite given up on getting my '57 GE Combination fixed, and if I manage to find someone to install a replacement compressor, I'll be happy to send you the plastic tray system for underneath the freezer if the Kelvinator's job as placeholder ever comes to an end.

 

 

[northwesty]

Can

you get an appropriate thickness piece of glass cut for that shelf assembly?

 

[rp2813]

My first thought was to have thick glass cut for the missing shelf.  I just haven't pursued it yet.