Any Frigidaire Refrigerator Experts Out There??

[jukeman]

Interesting question for you. In 1966, Frigidaire introduced a new and more powerful compressor called the "Power Capsule" (everything being "space age" at the time). This compressor was indeed more powerful than its predecessor, the "Meter Miser", which had been in use since 1937.

The 1960s brought a host of new features for home refrigerators. Frost free operation and larger fresh food and freezer compartments were among them. The early frost free models still used the tried and true Meter Miser compressor, but by the mid 60s Frigidaire realized they just did not have the power required. I have a 1964 frost free with the old style compressor and a 1967 with the next generation one and I can say from first hand experience, my 1967 cools down MUCH faster after a defrost cycle than my 1964 model does. It also runs much less.

I met a Frigidaire tech with over 50 years experience who told me the new compressor for 1966 was 1/3 hp compared to barely 1/4 hp on the old version. The '66 compressor is physically bigger and even sounds different than the earlier one.

So, here is the question. What mechanical differences exist between the two, if any? Is the Power Capsule still a rotary compressor of the same design with just a little more horsepower? Did they use the same relay and start capacitor design?

Thanks.

 

[combo52]

FD used rotary compressors till the end around 1980

But they did become more powerful in the larger refs around 1966 so they worked better. You may be able to install the later compressors in earlier models with a good deal of work, relays were generally different for different compressors.

 

If I were going to try to use and save one of these older FD FP refs that could benefit from a better larger capacity compressor I would use a 5-10 YO Embraco compressor from a GE or WP built ref, these newer compressors are far more efficient quieter and longer lasting that those old FD compressors.

 

I have an early 80s WP built upright freezer where we took out the R-12 rotary compressor and used an Embraco compressor [ R-134A ] and condenser assembly from a 5YO GE SXS and it works great, you barely hear it running and the freezer when running including inside fan draws less than 150 watts.

 

John L.

 

[jukeman]

Thanks!!

So is the 1966 version still a rotary compressor with the same internal design as the earlier Meter Miser? Why would it use a different relay I wonder?

 

[combo52]

Different power draw, and they also improved relays and overloads as time went on.

 

[jukeman]

One Strange Thing...

I did find something under my 1967 Frigidaire that's odd... there's what appears to be some sort of thermostat under there that was originally mounted to something, my guess is the condenser coil. It's got a long capillary tube on it. I read that Frigidaires if this vintage had a device that measured evaporator and condenser temperature to end the defrost cycle early when possible, is that what it is? It's disconnected now since the defrost timer was replaced years and years ago.

 

[combo52]

Frigidaire Demand Defrost System 1967

Hi Juke, Frigidaire tried some sort of demand defrost system for about one year and probably on one model and it seems you have one.

 

My limited understanding of this system was that there was no defrost timer at all or this system was at least designed to start the defrost cycle based on a combination of evaporator temperature and condenser temperature.

 

I need to go dig through my FD service manuals and see if I can find information about this interesting ref defrost system, thanks for bring this up, I had only ever seen one of these refs and it was about 35 years ago.

 

John L.

 

[jukeman]

Thanks

Thanks John!! I wasn't sure what it was. There is a factory bracket behind the kickpanel on the front right and the replacement defrost timer bolted right to it. That's got me wondering if this unit still HAD a defrost timer like any other model, but this thermostat was sort of an extra component to the defrost circuit as a whole.

 

[jukeman]

Thanks

Thanks John!! I wasn't sure what it was. There is a factory bracket behind the kickpanel on the front right and the replacement defrost timer bolted right to it. That's got me wondering if this unit still HAD a defrost timer like any other model, but this thermostat was sort of an extra component to the defrost circuit as a whole.

 

[uabill]

Part of the ad campaign....

We have this, new in the box. Was a dealer item, after a minute of being plugged in the light slowly flashes. Very cool.