GE Wall Mount Refrigerator & Freezer

[realvanman]

I was just cruising CL and found THIS! Oh how I wish I had more money and more space! I'm just glad it's not Turquoise, or I'd REALLY be going nuts!

My favorite part is that it evidently still has it's ORIGINAL compressor.

Here are the photos from the ad too.

Keith

http://https//losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/atq/6205548533.html

 

[rp2813]

I just realized that defrosting a wall mount isn't the cinch that it is with a free standing GE from the same period, which has a drain in the freezer that makes the water disappear into an evaporating tray at the bottom. 

 

$500 is really steep for one of these, and Red Bluff is a loooong drive from L.A.  Something like this will surely show up closer to you, and probably for less money.

 

Also, although it's beautiful, if that were my kitchen I'd rather have a free standing fridge and more upper cabinets.  It's a moot point now, though.  That kitchen is likely already history, or will be in short order.

 

[realvanman]

I have to agree with all of your points.

I guess I just like these since I've not seen many (and none in person). I really have nowhere to put one at the moment, but it is good to know that they usually can be had for less money.

As for style, I like the era, but really prefer even older. Like rounded refrigerators, or even Monitor Top. Free standing ranges on legs, etc, etc.

Keith

 

[combo52]

GE Wall Refrigerator

Hi Keith, these are interesting refs especially if you have the right type of kitchen for one.

 

Question, what makes you think it has the orignal compressor ? and with any GE ref built from around 1956-1963 you are better off if the faulty orignal compressor has already been changed to the improved replacement compressor, otherwise you have a difficult and expensive job on your hands if you want the ref to work correctly.

 

John L.

 

[realvanman]

Hi John, I admit I am guessing, only since it seems like most people would scrap a refrigerator if it needed work as major as a compressor change.

If the original is still present, and were to fail at a later date, I envision myself cutting it open and rebuilding it. Originality is really important to me.

Keith

 

[turquoisedude]

At least it's a 57 or 58 model that had an improved compressor...  Also these models no longer had that crazy extra winding in the compressor motor that reduced voltage to the condensor fan! 

 

[realvanman]

Interesting!

I would love to see a schematic of that!

 

[realvanman]

Or maybe...

They were using the compressor as a phase converter by taking a wee bit of power from the normally unused start winding to provide two phase power to the fan motor, thus avoiding the need for shading coils (inefficient) or a capacitor.

Keith

 

[combo52]

Replay #7

Yes what you said, the condenser fan motor was a three wire fan motor and the advantage was higher starting torque and lower running watts for the fan motor.

 

Now with any of these old refs I trash the old fan motors and get rid of 30-45 watts of power draw and extra heat in favor of  a new 4-6 watt electronic fan motor that runs cooler and lasts longer, this makes an even larger difference when you are talking about the fan motors inside the ref or freezer sections.

 

John L.

 

[spacepig]

Here's a turquoise one in St. Louis: https://stlouis.craigslist.org/atq/6180629309.html

http://https//stlouis.craigslist.org/atq/6180629309.html

 

[realvanman]

Old Stuff

But John, that's the sort of thing that makes me like old stuff even more. I like the way the engineers thought back then. I love the quality of old stuff. So, for me, I like stuff as original as possible. Sure, it may use a few more watts, and that's ok. I enjoy the original sounds. I literally enjoy envisioning the compressor motor serving as a phase converter, and supplying the necessary polyphase power to run the little fan motor. Cool!

It's like old cars. It's the mechanical aspect that makes them so interesting. Gives them their soul. The sights, the sounds, the smells, even the subtle feeling of the vibrations. Makes it feel like you really could be back in that era. Like a time machine. An old car with a modern drive train still looks neat, but that is it. It is shallow, soulless.

Sorry for waxing all philosophical! I guess I am nothing if not passionate about my old stuff.

Keith

 

[ovrphil]

I love the spirit, Keith...and for a short while, will thrill along with your visions and dreams. Then again, I like the idea of adding the more reliable, less energy-sucking mechanicals, if possible.

Cupboard space is important, but if I had the room in a kitchen...it would be nice to have the wall unit and a GE fridge to pair. Just thinkin' aloud here...

 

[warmsecondrinse]

I look at these and all I see is that I'd be able to get something out of the refrigerator without pain... something that does NOT happen in my present situation.

Jim

 

[jmirawm]

Wall Refrigerator

Do they make a modern version of this. Any brand ? I am about to gut my kitchen and really think a wall fridge would be cool.