Im looking at replacement defrost timers for my 72 Coldspot fridge. Would anyone here know the timer cycle of the original timer? The one in it currently is not the original. All the replacements Im finding are an 8 hour cycle at 21 minutes defrost. Which would mean it would defrost 3 times in a 24 hour period. That seems excessive to me for a 13 c.f. refrigerator.
Replacement refrigerator defrost timer question
- Thread starter ken
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Timer For A 72 Coldspot Ref
Hi Ken, You did not include a model # but it is likely that it is a WP built ref, some of the smaller refs in that time would have been Gibson built.
If it is a WP built ref, it would have had a 12 hour continuous run timer and it would defrost every 12 hours of time the ref is plugged into power.
I agree that 3 times a day is excessive, in years past we always put 24 hour timers in these refs, we can't find 24 hour timers any longer so we use a GE 16 hour timer so then the ref defrosts every 16 hours.
John
Hi Ken, You did not include a model # but it is likely that it is a WP built ref, some of the smaller refs in that time would have been Gibson built.
If it is a WP built ref, it would have had a 12 hour continuous run timer and it would defrost every 12 hours of time the ref is plugged into power.
I agree that 3 times a day is excessive, in years past we always put 24 hour timers in these refs, we can't find 24 hour timers any longer so we use a GE 16 hour timer so then the ref defrosts every 16 hours.
John
John
Thanks for the reply and info. The model # is 1067623141. Serial # is E24315970 which dates it to Oct 1972. The part numbers Im finding for the various parts cross reference to Whirlpool so that leads me to think it is Whirlpool built. Serial # indicates location of build was Evansville, IN. Did Whirlpool have a factory there? Back when I got this in Oct 2016 I posted some pics with a few questions. You had stated all Whirlpool built rotary compressors had 4 lines. And sometimes a 5th which is pinched off that was used at the factory. I found only 3 on it. One to the rear mounted condenser. One to a folded condenser underneath which helps evaporate the water in the drain pan. And the suction line. Maybe it's Gibson and not Whirlpool? Or maybe I didn't look well enough but don't think so. Cant say 100%. It's been 4 years. I'll definitely get a 16 hour timer. Could you give me the part # for it?
Thanks for the reply and info. The model # is 1067623141. Serial # is E24315970 which dates it to Oct 1972. The part numbers Im finding for the various parts cross reference to Whirlpool so that leads me to think it is Whirlpool built. Serial # indicates location of build was Evansville, IN. Did Whirlpool have a factory there? Back when I got this in Oct 2016 I posted some pics with a few questions. You had stated all Whirlpool built rotary compressors had 4 lines. And sometimes a 5th which is pinched off that was used at the factory. I found only 3 on it. One to the rear mounted condenser. One to a folded condenser underneath which helps evaporate the water in the drain pan. And the suction line. Maybe it's Gibson and not Whirlpool? Or maybe I didn't look well enough but don't think so. Cant say 100%. It's been 4 years. I'll definitely get a 16 hour timer. Could you give me the part # for it?
Old timer part # is 482493. New part # is w10822278.
106.7623141. 106 is WP-sourced.
Been doing some searching on ebay and zero luck finding a 16 hour timer. Found 10 and 12 hour. Which brings to mind a question. Back when new and it had a 12 hour timer, as John stated, what would the heater on time interval have been? What Ive learned is that the longer the timer goes between defrost cycles the longer the heater on interval is which makes sense. Most of the 12 hour timers I found have a 30 min heater on time. The heater is 650 watts. Im no expert but it seems having that on for 30 minutes would be excessive. I understand the bi-metal thermostat is there to prevent over heating. Are refrigerators designed for the thermostat to always cycle the heater on/off during normal defrost circumstances? Or are they there only as a safety device to prevent over heating in case something goes wrong?
Typically the timer heater-on interval is the longest time the heater is allowed to run per cycle. The defrost thermostat may turn it off sooner. Yes? Or does the timer stall at the on-interval until the thermostat turns the heater off, then resumes running-out the interval?
Judging by the wiring schematic the timer motor is always energized and running. I assume there is a cam wheel inside that opens and closes the two individual contacts thereby switching between energizing the compressor to cool (when the cold control calls for such) and the heater to defrost. But I'm no expert for sure.
Defrost timers
Normally the defrost heater on aa WP ref like yours will only stay on for 5-10 minutes unless there is a really heavy frost build-up, the 21 or 30 minutes is the maximum time the defrost cycle can be.
The timer motor is always on during the defrost cycle in any FF ref.
The Bi-Metal defrost limit thermostat serves both as a safety and the normal termination of the defrost heater operation.
You save power and preserve food better with less defrost cycles, the only trick is not letting the cooling get blocked to the point where air can not circulate.
Keep in mind every time this 1970s WP ref defrosts the evaporator area is electrically heated to around 70F, the compressor typically has to run an extra 15-30 minutes to get this added heat out of the refrigerator.
New refs with computer boards often only defrost once or twice a week in normal to light use especially in areas of the country that are dry or in the winter in most areas of the country.
Hi Ken, I will try to find the GE part # of the 16 hour timer when I am at work.
John L.
Normally the defrost heater on aa WP ref like yours will only stay on for 5-10 minutes unless there is a really heavy frost build-up, the 21 or 30 minutes is the maximum time the defrost cycle can be.
The timer motor is always on during the defrost cycle in any FF ref.
The Bi-Metal defrost limit thermostat serves both as a safety and the normal termination of the defrost heater operation.
You save power and preserve food better with less defrost cycles, the only trick is not letting the cooling get blocked to the point where air can not circulate.
Keep in mind every time this 1970s WP ref defrosts the evaporator area is electrically heated to around 70F, the compressor typically has to run an extra 15-30 minutes to get this added heat out of the refrigerator.
New refs with computer boards often only defrost once or twice a week in normal to light use especially in areas of the country that are dry or in the winter in most areas of the country.
Hi Ken, I will try to find the GE part # of the 16 hour timer when I am at work.
John L.
