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vintage "defrost timer"
- Thread starter goatfarmer
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Defrost timer
Mom & Dad received something similar when they received a hand-me-down manual defrost Kelvinator from a great-aunt. Can't see that it would be useful if the freezer was well-stocked.
Speaking of Westys.. Granny had a Westy refrigerator with rounded courners and a door latch mechanism. It also had a "PUSH TO DEFROST" button. [I can still hear the sound of that door closing my head]. Apparently a solenoid opened and hot refigerant gas was pushed through the evaporator (freezer) coils. it was bought in 1953, and it was alive when it became homeless in 1993. (40 yrs!)
Mom & Dad received something similar when they received a hand-me-down manual defrost Kelvinator from a great-aunt. Can't see that it would be useful if the freezer was well-stocked.
Speaking of Westys.. Granny had a Westy refrigerator with rounded courners and a door latch mechanism. It also had a "PUSH TO DEFROST" button. [I can still hear the sound of that door closing my head]. Apparently a solenoid opened and hot refigerant gas was pushed through the evaporator (freezer) coils. it was bought in 1953, and it was alive when it became homeless in 1993. (40 yrs!)
That was s hot gas defrost system. I believe the solenoid diverted the high side "hot gas" through the evaporator thus defrosting it. I think some had defrost timers that activated the valve on a regular basis. Maybe someone can fill us in on exactly the hot gas systems work.
Hot Gas Defrost
The GE bottom freezer models circa 1960 used hot-gas defrost.
Ken D.
The GE bottom freezer models circa 1960 used hot-gas defrost.
Ken D.
I've seen early 60's Kelvy's that used the hot gas defrost system. Not exactly sure how it worked.
kennyL
kennyL
All a hot gas defrost system does is reverse the flow of refrigerant. The evaparator becomes the condenser, and the condenser becomes the evaporator. Pumping hot gas through the evaporator in the freezer will melt the frost. A solenoid controlled by a defrost timer reverses the flow. Hope this makes sense!
sounds like a heat pump
Sounds like a heat pump! Seems like they can't be that expensive to manufacture that way....
Sounds like a heat pump! Seems like they can't be that expensive to manufacture that way....
kenmore1978
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hot gas defrost
I wonder why they abandoned the method? The valve technology was certainly perfected, and there wouldn't be a chance of a "meltdown" like when the thermostats fail on the defrost heaters of today.
I wonder why they abandoned the method? The valve technology was certainly perfected, and there wouldn't be a chance of a "meltdown" like when the thermostats fail on the defrost heaters of today.
Abandoned
Probably due to higher production costs and expensive repair costs. The valve had to be put in the system line which would take more time to produce because it would have to be soldered in. This would take more time and effort than just adding a heater and terminator to the system. Also it is inconvenient to replace the valve because it is located underneath in the compressor compartment and one would have to go into the system, install the valve and then evacuate the system and recharge it. An expensive and time consuming task. The ones I remember doing the solenoid on the valve failed and just a solenoid needed to be replaced, which didn't require going into the system.
Probably due to higher production costs and expensive repair costs. The valve had to be put in the system line which would take more time to produce because it would have to be soldered in. This would take more time and effort than just adding a heater and terminator to the system. Also it is inconvenient to replace the valve because it is located underneath in the compressor compartment and one would have to go into the system, install the valve and then evacuate the system and recharge it. An expensive and time consuming task. The ones I remember doing the solenoid on the valve failed and just a solenoid needed to be replaced, which didn't require going into the system.
