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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 9, 2018 19:16:05 GMT
Well folks, I bought a very big project today. It's an early Frigidaire. I believe it was originally a belt drive unit, however the entire compressor skid is missing. My plan is to build a new skid, and locate an old belt drive compressor pump to make this as close as possible to what it once was. Another side benefit is, I plan to share my learning curve about the low-side float evaporator system. This, in fact, is what swayed me into buying it even though the compressor is gone.
Has most of the interior. 
The temperature control works with a "throttle cable" type mechanism. 
Love this logo! 
Sadly, quite a vacancy under here. Note the wood construction. Doesn't appear to be rotten nor much rust to be found. 
My question to the fellow Fridge Aficionados - Any ideas of the age of this? Was I correct in my assumption it was originally a belt-drive compressor design?
Thanks in advance! Sincerely, David
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 9, 2018 19:17:25 GMT
One last picture. The evaporator. 
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Post by Travis on Jun 9, 2018 19:23:57 GMT
Come up to St. Louis and I'll give you the missing pieces.
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Post by elec573 on Jun 9, 2018 19:36:01 GMT
I believe causal guy has one he picked up off eBay belt drive he did a post on it . Maybe he’ll chime in .
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Post by jake on Jun 9, 2018 19:55:29 GMT
NICE fridge!! Looks in very good condition!!I have a 1929 Frigidaire Book and yours looks like one of the models featured in the book! Yes, it would have been a belt drive compressor set up. The adjustable cold control was big news in 1929 at Frigidaire too!! Good luck with it! I can't wait to see how it turns out!!
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 9, 2018 20:29:42 GMT
Thanks guys for the positive responses so fast! I have purchased this fridge but it may be stored for a while before I can get it to my place, due to work obligations. I believe csulaguy has one he picked up off eBay belt drive he did a post on it . Maybe he’ll chime in . I saw his videos! Actually tried reaching out to him before buying this one, but it seems he's not available at the moment. I'm sure he will have some input on this project! NICE fridge!! Looks in very good condition!!I have a 1929 Frigidaire Book and yours looks like one of the models featured in the book! Yes, it would have been a belt drive compressor set up. The adjustable cold control was big news in 1929 at Frigidaire too!! Good luck with it! I can't wait to see how it turns out!! Thank you. I am very pleased to have found it. The seller has used it for a back porch storage cabinet, and is moving so needs to lighten the load before that. It seems that the smoker vultures were already circling, so it was just in time! Had only been posted for 2 days. Come up to St. Louis and I'll give you the missing pieces. That sounds like a good plan! |
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Post by ckfan on Jun 9, 2018 22:32:06 GMT
Sweet! I’ve never seen that colored logo before. I’ll look in my book to see if I can find the date. I have an old manual that Travis gave to me. Also, which unit are you talking about Travis?!
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 9, 2018 23:16:10 GMT
Sweet! I’ve never seen that colored logo before. I’ll look in my book to see if I can find the date. I have an old manual that Travis gave to me. Also, which unit are you talking about Travis?!
I also hadn't seen that logo before, but that's not saying much since I tend to not be observant sometimes. If you have any info, it would be great!
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Post by solarmike on Jun 9, 2018 23:49:04 GMT
Man that is a beauty....
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Post by Travis on Jun 10, 2018 0:48:54 GMT
Duh, the one that's been in my driveway for months.
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 10, 2018 2:10:47 GMT
Thanks Mike. A do agree and that's the part of what swayed me to buy it missing the compressor skid.
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Post by jake on Jun 10, 2018 5:04:46 GMT
  These are from my 1931 Frigidaire Book. The 1929 book shows a different Cold Control knob and escheon assembly. More like a crank type of device. The cabinets look the same in both books but the Cold Control is definitely different. This '31 looks like what you have. VERY happy you got it before it got turned into a smoker!! Those ice trays/dessert trays pop up on eBay and Etsy every now and then for a reasonable price. You'll want to measure yours before buying as I believe they came in different sizes. There's also a video on YouTube from this era put out by Frigidaire at the time to illustrate how to and how not to perform a service call! It's pretty long but it gives you a good look at the refrigerator and the remotely located belt drive compressor and condenser unit. The video is called something like "The Sands of Sales". Doing a "Vintage Frigidaire" or "1920s Frigidaire" search on YouTube should enable you to find it. SO glad you're saving and restoring it!! You'll have a real treasure when it's done!! |
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 10, 2018 14:32:03 GMT
These are from my 1931 Frigidaire Book. The 1929 book shows a different Cold Control knob and escheon assembly. More like a crank type of device. The cabinets look the same in both books but the Cold Control is definitely different. This '31 looks like what you have. VERY happy you got it before it got turned into a smoker!! Those ice trays/dessert trays pop up on eBay and Etsy every now and then for a reasonable price. You'll want to measure yours before buying as I believe they came in different sizes. There's also a video on YouTube from this era put out by Frigidaire at the time to illustrate how to and how not to perform a service call! It's pretty long but it gives you a good look at the refrigerator and the remotely located belt drive compressor and condenser unit. The video is called something like "The Sands of Sales". Doing a "Vintage Frigidaire" or "1920s Frigidaire" search on YouTube should enable you to find it. SO glad you're saving and restoring it!! You'll have a real treasure when it's done!! Thanks for sharing the book pages! It's good to have a somewhat clear idea of the year of manufacture on these sort of things. Seems that's what everyone wants to know when they first see it!
Today is proving to be busy (and rainy) so it'll probably be later in the day before I can search and watch the videos.
Again I am really pleased to have found it. Also very much looking forward to visiting Travis, talking old fridges, and getting what is hopefully a good or rebuildable compressor to breathe life back into this machine!
There's still hope for a video or more detailed pictures today as well - weather permitting.
I know we have the service manual for the GE Scotch Yoke machines here on the site. I wonder if anyone has any service literature for the belt drive Frigidaire machines? That would eventually be a big help to me.
Sincerely,
David
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Post by jake on Jun 10, 2018 15:40:14 GMT
You're welcome. Glad to help. The title of that video is "Sand on The Slippery Sidewalks of Sales. I just watched it again. It's about 15 minutes long. Definitely sounds like you have a busy day going on today, and a fun day as well! I agree, the first two questions people always ask when they see my Frigidaire for the first time is "How old is it?" and "Does it work?". I'll be looking forward to seeing your videos on this one too! I've seen pictures and have some of the books on these refrigerators but I've never seen an in depth look at one! Unfortunately I don't have any service information, just the cookbooks that I guess you could buy to go with your new refrigerator. They have pictures and information about operating the fridge, which I find interesting!
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 10, 2018 19:46:45 GMT
You're welcome. Glad to help. The title of that video is "Sand on The Slippery Sidewalks of Sales. I just watched it again. It's about 15 minutes long. Definitely sounds like you have a busy day going on today, and a fun day as well! I agree, the first two questions people always ask when they see my Frigidaire for the first time is "How old is it?" and "Does it work?". I'll be looking forward to seeing your videos on this one too! I've seen pictures and have some of the books on these refrigerators but I've never seen an in depth look at one! Unfortunately I don't have any service information, just the cookbooks that I guess you could buy to go with your new refrigerator. They have pictures and information about operating the fridge, which I find interesting!
Them: "How old is it?" Me: "Old enough!"
Them: "Does it work?" Me: "(Takes out ice cube from it and drops it down their shirt)"
Today was a good day! I had time today without work assignments; and was able to move the Frigidaire from its previous owner's home to a secure storage area. The owner was not in a hurry for me to pick it up; however with my work schedule it needs to be in a place where I can comfortably pick it up at any hour without having to worry about bothering anybody.
I took the decorative cover off the evaporator and exposed the massive low side header where the valving is located.
The head of the evaporator with its Frigidaire and Made in USA logos on it. Seems to be regular flare fittings. That will make it easier to fabricate new lines if that becomes necessary. 
Have a rubber "Quickube" ice tray, as well as the other Frigidaire accessories. Believe there's one missing aluminum ice tray from the top compartment. One of the two is not an original. 
I'm thinking about the evaporator design and wondering how they kept oil from filling up the evaporator. The low side float operates on a principle that liquid refrigerant is admitted to the header at the top of the evaporator until this is at a certain level of liquid. The level of liquid should not ever reach the return tube. If there is any oil carryover from the compressor, I don't see how it would keep from being deposited in the evaporator and having no way to make it back to the compressor.
It'll be interesting to study an original Frigidaire compressor skid and see how the factory managed the oiling system on these units. I know from looking at csulaguy's belt-drive Frigidaire videos, there is what looks like an oversized receiver vessel on the skid.
So a quick look at the fridge in its new temporary home!
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