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Post by elec573 on Jun 13, 2018 19:56:13 GMT
I would try what Travis said first . And then go from there. Just be careful of the senseing tube the less you have to bend it the better .
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Post by bhammer on Jun 14, 2018 15:22:03 GMT
Thanks Travis but I'm not sure I agree that the bellows should be fine if I can turn the fridge on and off with the temp control. 1) There is a visible crack on the edge of one of the folds on my bellows. I can't tell if it actually penetrates the bellows or is just superficial though. 2) When I turn my temp control it moves the arm that holds the bellows a pretty significant distance - i.e., enough to switch and unswitch the contact and turn the unit on and off.
Please note that I am doing this with the control unit cover and black temp control knob off. This allows me to turn the temp control knob considerably more than what would be the range under normal operating conditions with the black knob and stopper point attached.
Yes I have had the control box off the fridge and am very careful about the sensing tube. I also think the sensing tube is firmly pressed up against the evaporator.
I'll work on lubing all the mechanisms in the control unit and see where I land.
But I'll ask again - does anyone know a source for parts (i.e., the bellows/sensor) or is it just a matter of searching the forum and internet (e.g., Ebay) and getting lucky?
Thanks all - this forum is a great resource.
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 14, 2018 16:28:53 GMT
Thanks Travis but I'm not sure I agree that the bellows should be fine if I can turn the fridge on and off with the temp control. 1) There is a visible crack on the edge of one of the folds on my bellows. I can't tell if it actually penetrates the bellows or is just superficial though. 2) When I turn my temp control it moves the arm that holds the bellows a pretty significant distance - i.e., enough to switch and unswitch the contact and turn the unit on and off. Please note that I am doing this with the control unit cover and black temp control knob off. This allows me to turn the temp control knob considerably more than what would be the range under normal operating conditions with the black knob and stopper point attached. Yes I have had the control box off the fridge and am very careful about the sensing tube. I also think the sensing tube is firmly pressed up against the evaporator. I'll work on lubing all the mechanisms in the control unit and see where I land. But I'll ask again - does anyone know a source for parts (i.e., the bellows/sensor) or is it just a matter of searching the forum and internet (e.g., Ebay) and getting lucky? Thanks all - this forum is a great resource.
If you can't locate a like-for-like replacement, your next best bet could be to fabricate a new control mechanism to fit inside the old housing. That would allow a stealthy repair so to speak.
Just to give you an idea of what sort of thing I'm talking about, here are a couple pictures of a drum switch converted to VFD control. This was a 1950's drum switch in which the mechanical contacts were worn out. I removed the original guts and replaced it with a potentiometer and micro switch.
This operates a VFD; however the potentiometer signal could be a reference for a temperature controller instead.
You would need to have a remote mounted temperature controller circuit, receiving signals from the potentiometer at the control location; as well as a temperature sensor hidden inside a tube clamped to the evaporator where the sensing tube was.
youtu.be/seWdgwg-l6A
I know that would be a lot of work, but I just want to give some encouragement that where there's a will, there's a way.
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Post by ckfan on Jun 14, 2018 21:51:13 GMT
There are also digital controllers available that turn on and off based on temperature. You can set the on and off set points even. I used one on an old Norge that I couldn’t get any thermostat to work on. Works great now. I’m not saying you shouldn’t attempt to fix the old control however, because you would have a whole laundry list of modifications to make to ensure the motor works. Finding a new set of bellows might be challenging but it would be worth it.
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Post by bhammer on Jun 18, 2018 16:08:52 GMT
Considering how many of these units were produced I'm surprised that there aren't more parts out there. If I got this thing and it was DOA I'd be selling the parts.
Thanks all - I'll be hunting for a DA bellows part.
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Post by Travis on Jun 19, 2018 5:21:30 GMT
Yes, there were thousands of these units made, but nearly all of them have been scrapped in the past 90 years.
You will find a bellows in time.
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Post by solarmike on Jun 19, 2018 16:38:28 GMT
Yes sir most are in the scrap yard...
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