GE Monitor Top fridge control repair - broken thermostat tube...

[turbokinetic]

<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;">In this video I replace a broken sensing tube on this 94 years old control. These are often broken when they are straightened and re-bent during control removal and installation. Used smaller tubing for the connection from the control to the sensing bulb, to allow for better flexibility and less chance of damage. Original charge in the bellows was sulphur dioxide.  A much safer and more easily obtained working fluid isobutane (R600A). The temperature / pressure relationship is similar but not the same as SO2, therefore adjustments of the control will be required. The control is charged with a vapor only charge. Should not have liquid in the stem or bellows. Pressure only needs to exceed the saturation pressure for the highest expected control operating point. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;">Sincerely,</span><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; font-weight: 400;">David</span>

 

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[repairguy]

Excellent once again. Thanks for always taking the time to document your work.

 

[rp2813]

David --

Another meticulous rescue operation.  I sort of lost track of things during the nitrogen sequence but it all made sense when you tested after charging.  Your level of knowledge and skill never ceases to impress and amaze me!

 

I had a functioning two-door MT with this same type of cold control.  For about ten years it served as a back-up garage fridge on occasion at my parents' house, but other than that it sat idle most of the time I had it.  It never failed to fire right up for some random exercise.  Four decades after I hauled it up to Sebastopol and a few other guys helped to horse the whole box into place onto a platform in a dilapidated barn, I now have a full understanding of how its control worked.  I wouldn't be surprised if the fridge is still there, assuming the barn is still halfway weatherproof, and I'll bet it would start right up again.