Repairing another LW-11 General Electric wall refrigerator...

[turbokinetic]

Some have probably seen my post a few days ago about a yellow GE wall fridge. This is the second one in a week and it's a different unit just to be clear. (Note: here is the first thread: https://automaticwasher.org/threads/ge-wall-fridge-lw-11-repairs-this-one-was-a-mess.99213/ )

GE changed the design of this fridge over its short production run. If I'm not mistaken, the first year of production was unique in several ways; including use of a weighted valve in the refrigeration circuit. This valve helped to allow one compressor to power two different evaporators working at different temperatures.

This fridge was bought to replace a unit which was lost in a restoration shop fire several years ago. It was bought non-working with the infamous promise that "it needs a simple fix." A tech was called to look at it. He installed a new power cord and fan motor, and then 'noticed' that lines had been cut. He declined to make further repairs after this 'discovery.' Upon inspection of the fridge, it was clear that the line had broken, not been cut with a tool. We will never know if this person tried to manipulate the lines and broke this; or if it was broken all along and he didn't notice until replacing other parts..... but the story does not add up.

The original design of this cabinet had a tube and fin condenser with a fan attached; similar to what would be found in a vending machine condensing unit. The replacement GE compressor did not have an adequate condenser configuration. These all run very hot. To prevent further problems, I replaced the non-finned condenser with a much more capable spiral condenser with fins and a larger fan.

Anyway; repairs have been done and I have documented these with the following two videos. It wasn't a simple case of repairing the break and replacing the filter-drier. GE actually installed a sintered bronze filter screen inside the housing of the intermediate pressure valve, buried deep within the cabinet. This was blocked and causing the system to be inoperative. I don't see why GE would place a filter vulnerable to plugging in a position like this, considering the amount of effort necessary to access it and work with the aluminum tubing.

Hope you enjoy seeing my repair videos!
Sincerely,
David

Part 1:

https://youtu.be/mFcplBQ6kcQ

Part 2:

https://youtu.be/AJSicfbTlGI

 

[vacerator]

The first time I saw one of these was in a huge old house in Palmer woods in Detroit, where there are mansions. It was yellow. I thought what a nightmare to install, and service. It also didn't seen to have much capacity. The entire kitchen was that GE era in yellow. Push button cook top, and wall ovens.
The doctor I knew who had just bought it gutted everything. Since it was all in great shape and worked, the contractor sold it for him to a vintage collector out in the burbs. Everything new was Gaggenau from Germany. Deep fryer, convection steam oven, pizza oven, built in coffee center. Sub Zero fridge.

 

[turbokinetic]

The first time I saw one of these was in a huge old house in Palmer woods in Detroit, where there are mansions. It was yellow. I thought what a nightmare to install, and service. It also didn't seen to have much capacity. The entire kitchen was that GE era in yellow. Push button cook top, and wall ovens.
The doctor I knew who had just bought it gutted everything. Since it was all in great shape and worked, the contractor sold it for him to a vintage collector out in the burbs. Everything new was Gaggenau from Germany. Deep fryer, convection steam oven, pizza oven, built in coffee center. Sub Zero fridge.

These were from an interesting era for sure. They seem to me; better suited for a smaller kitchen such as an apartment. In the remodeling job you mentioned; I'm glad the contractor moved the working vintage appliances on to another collector as opposed to scrapping them!