GE Compressor Swap Cont'd
- Thread starter cadman
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Alright, all buttoned-up and back in the kitchen. Now cross your fingers!
Bud, the compressor turned out to be a Panasonic, model DG66C10RAU6 out of a 22 cu ft WP (Estate) SxS fridge. This turned out to be a good donor because there was no way anyone was going to buy it for their kitchen. Pulled from a rental, it looked like it went through a war.
David, if you had suggested I try this a year ago, I would have said you're nuts! I always figured bad compressors and lost freon were death blows for nice looking vintage fridges. Between John suggesting a compressor source, Ben digging up the service info, and a DIY geothermal project that had prompted me to study up on refrigeration and buy A/C equipment (don't ask), I figured why not give this a shot. Pretty Wild!
Bud, the compressor turned out to be a Panasonic, model DG66C10RAU6 out of a 22 cu ft WP (Estate) SxS fridge. This turned out to be a good donor because there was no way anyone was going to buy it for their kitchen. Pulled from a rental, it looked like it went through a war.
David, if you had suggested I try this a year ago, I would have said you're nuts! I always figured bad compressors and lost freon were death blows for nice looking vintage fridges. Between John suggesting a compressor source, Ben digging up the service info, and a DIY geothermal project that had prompted me to study up on refrigeration and buy A/C equipment (don't ask), I figured why not give this a shot. Pretty Wild!
Glad you made it happen after learning what was necessary. As I've often said - it's not Black Magic getting these running!
Also that rear cover looks good.
Also that rear cover looks good.
neptunebob
Well-known member
I hope you recovered the R12...
I also wondered if you flushed the components with nitrogen before pulling a vacuum. Doing so makes a vacuum happen much faster. In fact, I think NASA uses this process in their vacuum chambers when testing spacecraft.
How would you know how much refrigerant? There is probably a label but with the new compressor wouldn't the volume now be different?
I also wondered if you flushed the components with nitrogen before pulling a vacuum. Doing so makes a vacuum happen much faster. In fact, I think NASA uses this process in their vacuum chambers when testing spacecraft.
How would you know how much refrigerant? There is probably a label but with the new compressor wouldn't the volume now be different?
Hey Bob, yeah, the R-12 I took out then went into my '93 pickup. When charging R-134a I took John's advice of 6-7oz, ran it for a day, and everything checked OK. Nice even frost pattern and 'beer can cold' return line. Fridge and Freezer temps matched the GE service lit.
I don't have a nitrogen setup since I'm only a hobbiest; but this was a small enough system that I was down to 500 microns in an hour, and stick with Stay-Brite #8 for my joints. I've heard of some guys using welding gas as a purge, but it's a little pricey.
I don't have a nitrogen setup since I'm only a hobbiest; but this was a small enough system that I was down to 500 microns in an hour, and stick with Stay-Brite #8 for my joints. I've heard of some guys using welding gas as a purge, but it's a little pricey.
Late to the party...
...but I'll fetch a cold beer, if you don't mind.
Nice work, my friend!
...but I'll fetch a cold beer, if you don't mind.
Nice work, my friend!
funktionalart
Well-known member
This is exactly the thread I'd hoped might one day appear up here. BRILLIANT work. Now what kind of $$ would it take to get you down to Arkansas and do the same job on my 1960 GE Combination?!?!?
Allen, I could have used a thread like this myself! LOL I do feel bad for all these great fridges getting tossed, but when it comes to refrigeration, it's a tough hurdle to get over, at least in many people's minds (mine included). Too bad you're not closer!
