Philco AH-51

[rouseman]

Afternoon everyone,

Hoping someone can help me with some info. I just bought this Philco AH-51 chest freezer. The guy showed me it working and it does, however not well. It runs constantly and just hovers around 5 degrees.

I can figure out if it has a leak or not and fix that but the thermostat is also broken. Does anyone know where I can find the type of stat used? I am sure it is a Ranco or more likely a Robertshaw but I am hopeful that someone has some info on this unit or one like it.

Any info or help would be very appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[combo52]

Old Philco Freezer

Hi Michael, Why do you think the thermostat is broken ? 

 

We also need more information to help figure out why it does not get cold enough, pictures, what type refrigerant does it use ?, pictures of the compressor, condenser, cooling fan [ if it uses one ] etc.

 

John L.

 

[brisnat81]

If you mean 5F, isnt that about normal?

My freezer alarm defaults to a normal range of -5F to 15F, going off at 15F

How long has it been plugged in for?

 

[rouseman]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the reply's. Sorry for the lack of info.

So I have deemed the thermostat broken as when I got it home, I noticed that the face of the stat was broken and someone (previous owner I guess) jammed a small piece of wood behind the spring of the thermostat to regulate the temperature. Maybe that was okay to keep it running, but certianly not the way it should be. If I mess with the chunk of wood I can get it to cycle off but it's not long before its trying to cycle on and will run down to -15 or more after running all night long. If I can get it to cycle around 5 degrees that would be perfect.

Its been plugged in for about a week now. I will post some pictures later tonight when I am back at the house.

I would like to replace the stat with something that I can adjust so I have a starting point.

I am getting a little worried because the suction line is not cold at all and the compressor is pretty warm. It's an R12 system with the original compressor and I'd hate to destroy it.

This is my first vintage appliance, I'd love to keep it running. I'll get some pics and post.

Thanks!
Michael

 

[turbokinetic]

Warm return line...

Michael; as John said pictures will be worth a lot as far as helping with diagnosis. It does sound like you're on the right track with the thermostat.

As far as the suction line getting cold; that may or may not happen. Most of these have capillary tube systems with a heat exchanger between the return line and the capillary tube. Basically, the cap tube is soldered to the side of the return line, along the length of it. This allows the warm liquid going through the capillary tube to heat the returning gas in the return line. Even on a properly charged system, often the return line is not cool at the compressor.

 

Freezers with R12 will often operate at very low suction pressures. There is not much mass flow of refrigerant going back to the compressor to cool it internally, so the compressor will be designed to radiate the heat out through the shell of the compressor. It may even have cooling fins on the outside of it to help it stay cool. After prolonged operation it may be quite warm to the touch.

 

Sincerely,

David