Sparks-Withington "Sparton" refrigerator....

[turbokinetic]

[COLOR=#1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap]I'm looking for any and all information on the Sparks-Withington "Sparton" fridge I recently acquired. This seems to be a "late" open-drive unit when sealed systems were becoming the new norm. All of the historic literature I have doesn't cover this model. I'm looking for any sort of literature, from scans of sales brochures to technical repair info. Thanks for any input! [/COLOR]

 

[eronie]

Wow that looks like a direct drive compressor,  no belt. Never have seen one like it before. 

 

[2packs4sure]

Holy Smokes David !! Can't wait for some videos !!!

Wow !!
That's the strangest ever,, is there a tag,, do you even know the refrigerant ??
I love the on/off !

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks guys!  I do like the control switch as well. Looks similar to a Norge Rollator control to me.

 

The compressor is a very highly engineered direct-drive unit. It is completely married to the motor. If the motor fails, there is nothing which could replace it.  This motor needed major service, so I was planning to take the unit apart anyway. 

 

During my testing of the motor, the shaft seal started leaking. Thankfully, before this happened, I was able to adjust the expansion valve and get a great frost line on the evaporator.

 

The pictures attached show the teardown of the compressor. I resurfaced the commutator on the lathe, and got the motor working well.  Now, I am waiting on the new shaft seal to be delivered so that I can rebuild the compressor!

 

 

[2packs4sure]

What a crazy bit of engineering !!

I wonder if that design was all about getting around all existing patents of the day ?

 

[goatfarmer]

Your work never ceases to amaze!

 

[toploader55]

Yes.

David is a Class Act. He is so meticulous, thorough, and calm with all his projects.

Bravo David. Thanks for being here.

Can't wait for the uploads on your YT Channel.

 

[turbokinetic]

Videos...

I have started videos on this, which will need to remain unlisted for the time being. The first of them is here. Look in the description for links to the next part. YouTube changed something in the way you upload; and now I can't put end-screen links to unlisted videos. So the next video will have to be linked in the description.

 



 

As for the patents; yes this is very likely! So much was patented at that time; and there were only so many ways to build a refrigerating system. As more and more got patented; designing new things without having to deal with legal issues got more complex!

 

Again, thanks for the positive feedback on my projects. I really appreciate that and it makes it a lot more rewarding to share them. 

 

 

 

[turbokinetic]

Compressor reassembly begins!



 

 

 

[turbokinetic]

More progress!

Made some more progress on the Sparton fridge condensing unit today. The compressor is together, the base it sits on is cleaned up and painted; and things are looking good!

 

I made a video showing the making of the gaskets for the heads. It's pretty long but I show the whole process.
Video link: 

 

[supersuds]

Who else would have the knowhow not only to get this oddball working, but to re-engineer it to be better than new? Thanks for showing us, David.

 

[turbokinetic]

Test time!

Thanks John! I apply what I learned through having to fix what broke instead of spending on a new one. It's just become a part of my psyche so to speak.  

 

Today I made up new oil wicks for the motor bearings. Bought 100% cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby and fabricated them as close to the original design as I could.

 

Installed the compressor on the base, and soldered the line back together where I had to cut it for compressor removal.  

 

Made a gasket for the suction line and got that installed.

 

Then - pulled vacuum and charged it!

 

Lots more info in the video...

 



 

 

 

[toploader55]

Unbelievable.

Factory New !!! Superior Restoration as always.

 

[turbokinetic]

Thanks Eddie!  Now on to the hard part - refurbishing the cabinet. It's as rough as the cooling unit was to start with and unfortunately, there are some really badly damaged porcelain areas. 

 

[stricklybojack]

.
In, Awe.

Gonna have to add “antique refrigerator” repair to the “brain surgery” and “rocket science” euphemisms for hyper skilled work.

 

[ozzie908]

@turbokinetic

I would pay to spend a week with you to watch and learn how you do it

Your work and ability is out of this world !

Austin

 

[turbokinetic]

Cabinet work!

You know - people always said that fixing anything older than 5 years was rocker surgery.... So maybe you're right!

Since the cooling unit is working now, it's time to clean up and get the cabinet in presentable condition.

Here is a detailed video of the control and some cleaning techniques. 

 

[turbokinetic]

Some more reassembly pictures...

It's going back together nicely!

 

The black acoustic insulation is in place now; inside the compressor compartment and the bottom side of the top cover.

The cooling unit skid had 4 holes in the corners, to attach lifting chains. This made it a lot less risky installing the unit back into the cabinet.

I had to refurbish the hinges. They had worn about 5/16" so that the door was not lining up with the strike. This is a familiar problem with 80 year old cabinet hardware. My go-to fix is to machine the worn surfaces flat again, and then install nylon spacers to take up the slack. 

 

After that, the door went back on and everything lines up well now!

 

 

 

[turbokinetic]

It's about done!

It's about done!

 



 

 

Made a light fitting today; from copper tube fittings. It works well!