Another GE Combination Fridge Question

[rp2813]

Does anyone know if the compressor on my '57 Combination has an overload/reset switch associated with it, and if so, where it's located?  I've checked the compressor area and didn't find anything.

 

Thanks for any advice,

 

Ralph

[this post was last edited: 8/1/2011-13:14]

 

[rickr]

I don't know about a 1957 model, but my 1948 and the 1955 do not have anything like that. What problem are you having with your GE Ralph?

 

[drewz]

1959 Combination?

Does not look like a 1959 to me, and what about the color?

I don't know about this one....

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[rp2813]

It's Fixed

Hey Rick, the fridge was just plain dead and the cold control wouldn't do anything no matter how cold it was set.  Since the cold control had been acting weird over the past few days, I decided to pull it and see if I had any luck with hooking up the replacement cold control.  I connected the replacement just by the wires, set it at about half way, plugged the fridge in, and it began to run.

 

I finished the job of installing the replacement control and about half an hour ago I fired things up with the control set at mid-range. 

 

I really, really hope this has fixed the problem.  I had always suspected the original cold control had problems, but it seemed be doing fine recently.  Then the temp started to slowly creep up, and when I set it a little colder, the fridge ran all night and the next morning the cabinet temp was 33 and things were freezing.  Adjusted it downward and then it got all confused, and eventually stopped working at all.  That's when I began to worry about the compressor.  I definitely think the old cold control is toast at this point.

 

 

[rickr]

Well, I hope you have it fixed Ralph. I know how much you love this combo! One does seem to become attached to a vintage fridge, the longer one works on it. Your combo looks as new, perhaps this time its running as new also! Both of mine get colder quicker than yours, so hope you have it solved. Let us know.

 

[rp2813]

I'll report in tomorrow with a temperature update.  So far it's been running continuously for four hours and has dropped the cabinet temperature over a dozen degrees.  It's going to be a slow process because I left all of the drinks in the fridge that had nearly reached room temperature.

 

Joe, that ebay fridge looks more like a '55 based on the interior scheme, but the seller's claim of '59 is fairly convincing.  I guess in '59 the lower spectrum of the model line could have still looked more old school.  The handle definitely screams 1959.  At $300 it's a little pricey but it's in beautiful shape, it's an unusual factory color, and it's for sure better built than any manual defrost refrigerator of the same capacity that could be bought new today, and for more than $300.

 

[rp2813]

All's Well

I happened to wake up around 5:30 this morning so went to check on the fridge.  It had stopped running and the temp reading was at 41.  With a little bit of tweaking, it should be maintaining beverages at optimum drinking temperature soon.  Yay!

 

[swestoyz]

Ralph - glad to hear that things are back on the up-and-up with the GE! Thanks for keeping us posted.

PS - the GE Monitor Top is offically cooling it's first 12 pack as we speak! Amazing to think that something that is almost 80 years old still works...

Ben

 

[polkanut]

Ben,

Did you put a new seal around the door, and is it still making that funky sound?

 

[rp2813]

Here's another item that's 80 years old and still works as well (actually better) than the day it rolled off the assembly line. 

 

The reason I say "better" is because it has has a factory retrofit transmitter element (it's only 75 years old) that provides infinitely better quality than the original type.  That damned flash shows every speck of dust.

 

But back to the original topic -- I just enjoyed a nice cold Pepsi out of the Combination.  Back in business!

 

[rickr]

YAY!! Three cheers for vintage GE appliances!

 

[appliguy]

Drewz...

That is a 1956 General Electric Combonation Fridge Freezer model LM11 in Cadet Blue...the rarest of all the colors GE offered in 1955 and 1956. As a matter of fact after 1956 GE no longer offered that color. I have that same fridge in Petal Pink. 1956 was the year that GE went back to the magnetic door latch from the mechanical latch of 1953-55.  Even though it has one outer door this unit is still a true combonation unit becasue like the two door model one step above it...the freezer is completely seperated from the fresh food compartment... PAT COFFEY

 

[rp2813]

Another member and I were discussing that Cadet Blue fridge earlier today.  I didn't notice that it had a BIN of $999.   It's a rare color and a well-made fridge and I agree that it's basically a single-door Combination, but I think we've established that it's not a '59 model.  The full-width door pedal went away after 1957, and as stated above, the interior color scheme is from 1956. 

 

Nice as it is, the BIN is only going to appeal to a buyer who absolutely must have that color and that particular model.  A little pricey for a drinks/party fridge.

 

[mixfinder]

Crack a Cold One

I'm glad the GE is chilling out without a lot of money or intervention and I hope it runs another 50 years!