URGENT: My '57 GE Combination -- Is it Done For?

[rp2813]

R I Prius

I'm sad to say that a new relay didn't fix the problem.  The compressor tries to kick in -- rattling to a start -- and then clicks off, like maybe there's a problem with its "run" circuitry.   The more it tries, the shorter the attempts.

 

As much as I've enjoyed using this refrigerator, I can't justify the cost of replacing the compressor and it would be difficult to find anyone locally to do the job even if I wanted to.

 

This coming June would have marked nine years since Nate and I buzzed up to Reno and picked this thing up after RCD had hauled it back to his shop as a filthy "cash for clunkers" garage fridge surrender.  Apparently it has decided to quit at 62.  Not a bad run at all, and by today's standards, flat out impossible.  It was fun while it lasted.

 

 

[this post was last edited: 3/3/2019-14:49]

 

[turbokinetic]

Awe man.   Sorry that the relay wasn't the problem.

 

It seems that this style of compressor has a somewhat finite life to it. There have been so many similar sad stories on the site about them.

 

They should have kept the scotch-yoke compressor; as the CK Monitor Top and several others have. I just got one going for someone. It's 83 years old and still runs and sounds like new.

 

This person has been trying for 2 years to get someone to fix it. The wiring was crumbly and the control sensing tube had been broken. Should be fairly simple to get that done but all the service companies act like you're asking them to overhaul a flying saucer when you mention a MT fridge.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks David.

 

I knew when I got this fridge that it wasn't going to last forever.  Since I have the room for one (no need for a shoulder hinge type), I'm open to an older GE Combination as long as it has a drain in the freezer, as that makes defrosting a cinch.  The ones from the late '40s and early '50s seem to run forever, and they show up on CL now and then.  I don't know what I'll use in the meantime, but I hope to find a temporary fridge soon.  The Combination was always well stocked with a full shelf of sodas and another one full of bottled beer.  We've had a drinks fridge of one kind or another for about 30 years. 

 

One other thing I forgot to mention was that when the compressor tried to kick in, the condenser fan did too, but cut out.  This makes me think that the fault lies with the "run" wiring.  All connections to the compressor are good.

 

As much as I hate to do it, I'm going to have to offer this fridge up for free to whoever wants to haul it off.  I don't have room to harvest parts off of it and store them, so away it has to go.  I'm so bummed.

 

[spacepig]

Ralph, I am sorry to hear that you were not able to get your fridge working again. If you change your mind about parts and are willing to ship, let me know. I would be interested in your door shelves. Hopefully you will find another vintage refrigerator that brings you as much joy. Jeannine

 

[rp2813]

Jeannine, yes, easily harvested parts can be shipped, so feel free to send me a washermail with your list.

 

[combo52]

Hi Ralph, Sorry to hear that the compressor is shot, I just wish that I was closer [ or someone else that can diagnose refrigerator problems ] it only takes someone like David or I 10-15 minutes to figure out why the compressor was having problems starting with a few simple tests.

 

It is normal that the condenser fan motor would start running and then cut off, the CFM on GE refs is wired through the compressors thermal cutoff so as soon as the CO trips it also kills power to  the CFM.

 

John

 

[rp2813]

Yeah John, I unplugged the replacement CFM once I saw that it wouldn't run if the compressor wasn't running too.  I never bothered to mount it. 

 

I think the buzzing I had been hearing for a week or two was an indicator of something (other than the relay) that was frying itself.  The compression part of the mechanicals was keeping everything nice and cold until the end, so I'm pretty sure it was wiring/windings that failed.

 

Of course, there's nothing interesting out there for sale right now, and I've been looking since the buzzing started.  The only thing that's a remote contender is a mid '80s WP BF model, but I'd prefer something older and more efficient, unless it's a later Frost Guard Combo, which I would grant an energy hog exception .  It's primarily a drinks fridge, so it doesn't need to be huge, and another frosts-freely type would be OK.

 

Off hand, would anyone here know if the earlier ('54 and older) Combinations had gliding shelves and if they're counter depth like my '57 (24" not including the handles)?  Shelves that glide would be an OK compromise.

 

[turbokinetic]

Ralph, did you make a recording of the "buzzing" sound so that we could have this to compare to other possible failures on other units?

 

[rp2813]

David, sorry, but I didn't record the buzzing.  I'm not much of a cell phone user for anything besides calls, texts, and pictures.

 

The buzzing was kind of high pitched and sounded like your average noisy compressor that just runs like that normally, but I knew it wasn't a normal sound for what had been a quiet GE.

 

I'm posting this picture for Jeannine, who has a '56 GE, to see if there's much from the interior that might have a chance of fitting her fridge.  Due to radical design changes for 1957, I'm not so sure much of it is backward compatible.

 

[combo52]

Good Picture Of Your 57 Combination Ralph

That is the exact ref my Aunt Arline had in Elisabethtown Pa. When they built a new custom home in 1966 they moved it to the new homes kitchen, hers made it till the early 1970-2 time period before its compressor wore out and was replaced with a FD top freezer model which had its IM repaired at least every year till it was replaced with a WP in the mid 90s.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

That shot was among a few I took during initial clean-up after hauling it home from Reno in June of 2010.

 

I wish I could donate this box to an appliance junk yard for parting out (if there was such a thing), as there are many good, hard-to-find parts on it.

 

One thing I don't have to hunt down anymore is the two knurled fasteners for the bottom grille (grille not seen in the picture above).  I always had to get out the socket wrench to remove the bolts that were holding the grille in place when I vacuumed the condenser.

 

Now it's time to find another interesting fridge for beer and soda.  I had gotten used to a little extra zero-degree freezer space off the kitchen, but the basement Penncrest freezer has room to spare, so maybe something smaller and single door is the way to go.  I need counter depth again due to the spot where the drinks fridge is located.  The Combination was such a perfect fit there.

 

[spacepig]

Ralph,

Here are pictures of the interior to my '56. You can see the bottom piece beneath the drawers is broken, so I would love an intact piece to replace. However, I'm not sure if yours will work, and how much work it would be just to remove that one.

I've also attached pictures of the inside of the doors so you can see how the configuration of the "steps" that the shelves lay on, and also the shelves themselves. It does look like they are a match, except for the color.

You'll also see the rubber piece that fits on the back where the drain tube attaches. I could use another one of those.

 

[rp2813]

Jeannine, that exterior drain in picture 5 of 5 isn't applicable to the two-door Combinations from 1957 on -- at least not on top freezer models. 

 

Unlike your '56, the '57 and later Combinations have a clean back with condenser coils underneath, which are cooled using what GE called a "forced draft" system with a fan that draws air across the coils from one side of the front grille  and routes it out the other side after passing over the drip pan to speed evaporation of condensate (this same system is still widely used on the various makes of refrigerator-freezers today).  Drain tubing like what you have pictured would have the potential to be smashed against the wall if paired with a clean back design.

 

With a bottom freezer arrangement like your '56 has, I'm not sure how the condensate drains from the freezer, but I would assume it drops directly into the same pan as that crumbling tubing routes the condensate to from the fresh food section.  How the condensate drain for the fresh food section serpentine coil is routed on bottom freezer models for '57 and later, I don't know.

 

[rp2813]

John, David, Anyone?

There's an HVAC guy on my local Nextdoor board who may know someone who would be willing to change out the compressor with a modern replacement.

 

Can anyone direct me to a site where I can price out a replacement, or provide details on the type of compressor to look for?  I would need to ballpark a figure for parts and labor to see if it's worth doing.

 

One of my concerns is that the existing compressor is a long cylinder shape, and that a replacement would be tough to fit into the same spot.  Also, since the existing compressor has four terminals, how is that addressed with a new compressor?

 

[turbokinetic]

Compressors...

Hey great that you're planning to get this fixed!

I haven't done much experimentation with modern compressor swaps because I have been fortunate enough to locate original used ones.

A new Embraco compressor can be had for about $75 on eBay Here is one example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273308564397

The 80 or 100 series Embraco compressors are roughly the right capacity for a full size side-by-side fridge.

You will also need a dryer for the system to catch any wear materials from the old compressor. Those are very inexpensive as well, about $10.

From what I have gathered reading online and talking to people "in the know" it is a good idea to add a little extra oil to a modern compressor on any older model refrigerator. This is because the older systems may trap a larger, and more variable amount of oil in the lines. The new compressor will have an oil specification from which the oil type can be obtained.

I wish I could offer more info but at this time, I just haven't done much experimentation with these.

Sincerely,
David

 

[rp2813]

Thanks David.  I haven't heard from the HVAC guy so it may be difficult to find anyone to swap in a new compressor.  I'll see if the guy at the appliance parts place near me can recommend some people to contact.

 

[estesguy]

You might try a used appliance store for help. I went into one here and the guy changes out many compressors while refurbishing different brands and sizes of used refrigerators they get in for resale. It would be a little out of their normal line of work, but for the right price, they might assist you.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks John.  At this point, any possibility is worth pursuing.

 

[rp2813]

Embraco Question

I'm interested in pursuing the Embraco option but have questions:  Are these compressors relatively quiet?  The shot GE compressor was barely audible.  If an Embraco will sound like one of those noisy "True" brand self-serve beverage refrigerators as found in most hole-in-the-wall eateries, that will be a deal-breaker.

 

Also, is any sort of adaptive mounting hardware going to be required?  The GE compressor is oblong, while the Embraco is a more standard shape.

 

I really don't want the Combo to end up as a rattle trap. 

 

I'm going to talk to the knowledgeable guy at my nearby independent appliance parts store (same guy who recognized the bake element for my mom's '49 Westinghouse range as soon as I walked through the door), but thought I'd ask the experts here first.

 

 

[combo52]

Newer Compressor For A 57 GE Combination

Embracos are very quiet, there used to be an adptor mounting kit sold that allowed you to easily replace the old style GE compressors, My Brother Jeff used one when he installed a new Tecumseh compressor in my 1960 GE upright Frost Guard freezer 35 years ago [ it still works great ] but I stopped using it at our house about 5 years ago because it used way too much power and made the pantry too warm.

 

The GE FGF is at the museum now and is only turned on for events at the warehouse where we need to keep a lot of frozen food.

 

John