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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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16th May 2017, 7:57 am | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,063
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Frigidaire compressor.
I just got an email from a very good German friend who has an early 50's/60's French fridge that he needs a compressor for.
The compressor was made in UK by Fridgidaire, so better chance for me to locate one for him that him trying to find one in Germany. Obviously he will need it to be re-charged if one turns up. Would the seals in the original type compressor be compatible with the modern gasses ? Thumbnails below. Mike |
16th May 2017, 11:27 am | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charmouth, Dorset, UK.
Posts: 3,601
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Re: Fridgidaire compressor.
You used to be able to get a universal complete replacement unit already assembled and gassed, I fitted one in our fridge - but it was in the 1950s I got it from a firm CW Wheelhouse in Hounslow, I doubt they still exist but it might give you a starting point.
Peter |
16th May 2017, 3:41 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 2,850
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Re: Fridgidaire compressor.
Hi Mike, that is Dichlorodifluoromethane on label, which is R12 and is banned now.
I think it is very unlikely a sealed system that old could be converted to modern (non-banned) refrigerant use. Because the ice box evaporator inside the cabinet (as fitted on old style refrigerators) is part of the sealed system, and I imagine it will be impossible to find a modern "drop in" complete replacement system. Therefore, I can only imagine that the refrigerator cannot be repaired. Any release of refrigerant into the atmosphere can carry severe penalties, so it is not practical to attempt any work unless you have the f-gas certificate required by law. Sorry to be so negative, Rob
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16th May 2017, 3:49 pm | #4 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 2,850
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Re: Fridgidaire compressor.
Just re-read your post,
Quote:
Rob
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16th May 2017, 4:58 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK
Posts: 1,764
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Re: Fridgidaire compressor.
While anything is possible, I think it would be beyond economic repair. The costs of getting someone qualified to dispose of the old gas, and retro fit a new system, I heard talk of £500, assuming the right person could be found. I think you're almost building a new fridge into the old shell.
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17th May 2017, 5:25 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Co. Durham, UK.
Posts: 1,111
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Re: Frigidaire compressor.
A commercial refrigeration engineer will have no problem making it work. If you want to use period components, then that is a different matter!
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17th May 2017, 6:29 pm | #7 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: Frigidaire compressor.
A friend of mine is a cooling engineer/technician he takes a lot of effort to suck out the old gasses where ever he finds some (by the road side etc.) on the premise that a) it won't leak into the atmosphere (well not yet anyway) and b) he can fix old fridges.
I wonder what the "greenhouse gasses" balance is, old fixed fridge vs. a new one? |
19th Jun 2017, 12:21 am | #8 |
Hexode
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 315
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Re: Frigidaire compressor.
There IS a "drop in" replacement for the now banned R12. The one I've used is isceon 49.
Its not a single gas, rather a mixture of two, so care has to be taken when charging a system with it. I'm still using the Prestcold my parents bought back in 1963 and its been in continuous use since then. Naturally its on R12 and the stated charge is 8oz. Capillary leak expansion systems (which are used in most small fridges) are very sensitive to the charge, so I assume all 8oz are still in there! Charles Last edited by space_charged; 19th Jun 2017 at 12:30 am. Reason: Added more text. |
19th Jun 2017, 7:14 am | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 1,063
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Re: Frigidaire compressor.
Fridge now sorted. Thanks for all replies.
Mike. |
19th Jun 2017, 8:19 am | #10 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 636
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Re: Frigidaire compressor.
How?
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