Isn't she a beauty ? !!!!!!

[customline]

1956 Hotpoint fridge in PANK !!!!! Pulled it out of storage last week and wired in a new grounded power cord. Let it run over night and kept good temperature but: 1. The compressor doesn't seem to be shutting on and off. 2. The compressor seems to get kind of hot, is that normal? Also, the bottom left of the refrigerator door has a small gap when closed. How do I adjust this?

 

[toploader55]

OMG !!!

That is the fridge I grew up with until 1972.

And I just had a dream last night about finding that door with the Brushed Chrome Panel.

 

[combo52]

Cool Pink Hotpoint Refrigerator

It should not run all the time, that's for sure, I would suggest keeping careful track of the temperatures in both compartments at this point. Check ref temperature with a glass thermometer sitting in a glass of water and in the freezer do the same with the thermometer in a glass of something that will not freeze like Vodka or cooking oil and let us know how this test fairs over a few days. The ref should be running 35-38 F and the freezer +5 to -5 degrees F. Depending on what you find we would be able to guess whether you have a thermostat problem or sealed system problems.

 

The compressor being hot to the touch sounds pretty normal to me. As to the gap in the door seal there are various ways to deal with that but without seeing it it is difficult to make the best recommendation as to how to fix that.

 

[tomturbomatic]

One of the door hinges might need shimming.

 

[franksdad]

That is one absolutely beautiful Hotpoint! 

 

[rp2813]

The cold control seems to be the weak link on GE's from the mid to late 50's.  The one on my '57 Combination got stuck and wouldn't shut things down when it reached proper temperature.  It was getting down into the lower 30's in the refrigerator section, and the serpentine coil had a thick layer of frost building up.  A NOS replacement cold control fixed the problem.  Larry at Modern might still have one laying around.

 

Since I put my Combination into service, I've had a cup of water on the bottom shelf (where the beer goes) with a digital thermometer probe in it.  With the bottom shelf averaging 38 degrees, the top shelf near the serpentine evaporator hangs at about 36, which is about as cold as I'd want it.  The defrost water in the trough usually freezes into a long bumpy chunk since it's so cold back there just a few inches from the evaporator.

 

[frigilux]

Yes, it most certainly is a beauty! Haven't seen one like this before.

 

[classiccaprice]

Beautiful Fridge, Kevin!

My '57 Philco compressor wouldn't shut off . I put in a supco temporary cold control in it and now it works perfectly. I've attached a link to one I found online.

P.S. Side note, Thanks again for the dishwasher! I'm enjoying it so much!

http://www.genuineapplianceparts.co...versal_Refrigerator_Freezer_Cold_Control/1703

 

[customline]

Thank yew !!!!!!!!

I'm glad you're enjoying the Kenmore and thanks for the tip !!!!!!

 

[customline]

Yahoo !!!!!

I got the compressor to shut on and off. I took the relay out and cleaned it up and while it was out I put a new grounded cord on it. The unit keeps good temperature.

 

[polkanut]

Mt aunt & uncle had the built-in version in coppertone.  It was installed when they built their home in 1957.  It lasted until the early 80's.

 

[jeffg]

Beautiful piece imo.

Anyone know if the chrome panel was just a design thing, or was it added for scratch protection? Somehow it makes the fridge look like there's a smaller stainless steel fridge inside it, with its own handle.

 

[paulg]

We had one too

Yup, we had the same fridge in white until 1984, then it became the pop fridge.
Alas, I no longer have it.
Does yours have the butter-warmer?. That was the BEST feature of all!

 

[customline]

Yes......

It has the butter warmer AND the pull out shelves.