GE Compressor Swap Cont'd

[cadman]

So as to not keep everyone in the dark, a quick update on the compressor swap on the '65 GE. That old compressor was a beast, I'm half tempted to throw it on the scale and see what she comes in at.

In the meantime, I did pick up the late model WP SxS fridge with a donor compressor (Panasonic). A quick fit up and I think I should be able to make it work in the same space with a modified back for clearance. The condenser motor blades are a just a tad too big to consider this a drop-in, so I'll have to get creative.

Same story for supporting the condenser and compressor, but that shouldn't be too tough with some aluminum angle. In the meantime, I have a new cap tube drier on the way and hopefully will be able to close the system this weekend.

One question for the experts...in converting to R-134a, what should I do about the oil charge? Both fridges were upright long enough for any residual oil to have drained back to their respective compressors. Will the PAG in the new comp be sufficient? I'm not real concerned about trace amounts of mineral oil in the GE, but wasn't sure if a little more PAG should be introduced. I'll blow out the condenser when I remove the drier, maybe see what comes out for volume. Thoughts?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Now this is something I would love to see. Keep us posted Cory, and thanks!

 

[turbokinetic]

Hey, thanks for sharing this! I am excited to see how well it works and what you encounter during the swap.

Sincerely,
David

 

[combo52]

Compressor Swap

Great progress Cory, If you want to use the newer more efficient WP condenser fan motor you can often use the fan blade from the GE on the WP motor if the WP motor is still a similar metal motor, if the WP has a newer style plastic ECM motor you would have to get creative.

 

As far as the oil issues you should check with my Brother Jeff as he has done retrofits like this many times.

 

John L.

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Compressor oil

Whirlpool told us some time ago that you could replace a R-12 compressor with a R-134a compressor and not worry about the small amount of mineral oil remaining in the system. Flushing the condenser coil is a good idea, and if you think any of the PAG oil was lost when the compressor was removed you could add a small amount, an ounce or two.

 

[cadman]

Sounds good! I did blow out the condenser earlier this week and had only the slightest trace of oil blow out, just a film, nothing worth measuring. Condenser is now installed, dryer is soldered in and last night I got the compressor mounted and worked out the wiring. Tonight I'll focus on making brackets for the plastic bodied fan motor and sweat the last couple of joints.

For kicks I cut open the old drier and all looked okay. No internal restrictions. Looked brand new, actually, which points moreso to the compressor as the issue.

 

[cadman]

Based on the top 5 threads, maybe we should change the name of this forum from "Super" to the "Discussion Area for Poor Saps that own Vintage GE Fridges"

Anyhow, gratuitous shot of the '65 under vacuum. Fan now mounted, wiring mostly complete. We'll see if things hold.

 

[lorainfurniture]

That looks very nice, the average lay person would not know that is not original. Great work

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Wow. Great looking work. More pictures please!

 

 

 

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice job, Cory!

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Looks very professional, I like a repair that works and looks good!

 

[turbokinetic]

very nice!

That looks like it came from the factory like that!

Just curious; where did you hide the defrost valve?

Sincerely,
David

 

[combo52]

Looking Good Cory

It looks like you might win The Jeff Lefever award for neatness, when my brother Jeff does these jobs there is no mistaking them for original factory jobs because Jeffs work is far better than factory work.

 

If you look at the typical original brazing of joints etc they are usually pretty sloppy and freon lines are not neatly run etc.

 

Hi David, This refrigerator is a dual evaporator cycle-defrost type so there is no timer, defrost valve etc.

 

My brother Jeff did install a Tecumseh compressor in a 1960 GE Frost Guard upright freezer over 30 years ago which is still working perfectly where he had to use the original GE defrost valve from the GE compressor.

 

John L.

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks for the info on the dual evap cycle defrost functionality. That is a really neat system as well.

 

[cadman]

Hot Damn! We are back in business! (knock on wood)

No degradation of vac overnight, so I went ahead and started things off with 7oz of R134A this morning. Here we are 10 hours later with a nice even frost pattern in the fridge section, smooth, quiet operation. A setting of 2-3 on the cold control yields a 40F fridge temp and ~5F in the freezer in an 80F room (had to turn it down, it'll freeze water now). Things are cycling properly. The kill-a-watt says 1.7 Amp draw when running (roughly 50% reduction from the original).

Thanks for everyone's help with this and all the kind comments on the install. Here are a few more pics. Keen eyes will note a high side port accessible from the toe kick.

One last thing will be to replace the cardboard rear panel with a metal one that bumps out 1/2" to provide a little breathing room for the compressor. I'll fab that up tomorrow, then back in the kitchen it all goes.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I'm just thrilled that it is working again. Congratulations!

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice job!

 

 

[turbokinetic]

Wonderful!

Your craftsmanship is incredible with the bracketry and tube bending. Not in any way wanting to play-down the effort which went into this... but this thread shows how relatively painless (although time consuming) a compressor replacement is for this fridge.

This, I hope will encourage others to proceed with having theirs repaired instead of scrapping them! There's no "black art" there's nothing which "can't be done" or makes this an impossibility.

Sincerely,
David

 

[cfz2882]

Very nice save and cool mostly salvaged parts were used. I'd be cutting open the old compressor to see what went wrong with it