rp2813
New Member
Vintage Refrigerators Rule!
Posts: 8 
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Post by rp2813 on Feb 22, 2019 20:42:14 GMT
Hi guys,
My '57 GE Combination has been making a buzz/rattle sound lately and I've been keeping an eye on it. Today it's not running. I can hear a click and a low growl for about a second or two, very reminiscent of an old monitor top starting up, but the compressor doesn't kick in and there's another click that signals the end of the attempt.
In vacuuming the compressor and condenser fan area, I noticed that the fan tried to turn on its own as I cleaned around the blades, but when the click from the relay (presumably) happens, the fan barely turns and the relay clicks off. The compressor jiggles a little during this start-up attempt as well.
Can a dead fan prevent the compressor from operating? This seems contrary to other refrigerators I've known. Or is it the other way around, and if the compressor isn't kicking in, the fan won't run? That scenario also seems different from any other fridge I've had. One thing I found on line was a resistor as a possible issue, but I don't know if my fridge has one, or where it would be.
If it's a dead compressor, I may have to part this fridge out or scrap it. I don't have the skills to evacuate, etc.
Thanks for any advice.
Ralph
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rp2813
New Member
Vintage Refrigerators Rule!
Posts: 8
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Post by rp2813 on Feb 22, 2019 21:30:14 GMT
Travis thinks the relay is the problem. I found the PN: WR7X32. On line searching didn't produce anything other than another PN of WR7X57, which is said to be a replacement for the PN ending in 32. I also found a Supco R041 that claims to replace the PN ending in 57. I'd rather search for OEM than try to make a Supco work. The compressor has four terminals on it.
I'm still not sure if there is a resistor involved or how to locate it if there is one. The fourth compressor terminal seems to be what might prevent either of the replacement relays from restoring the fridge to proper operation.
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Post by ckfan on Feb 23, 2019 5:17:42 GMT
Does the fan turn freely or is it sticky? The fan not running can overheat the compressor and cause it to not start. The clicking you are hearing is the overload kicking in when the compressor fails to start. I would make sure the fan is free to turn and then let it sit for a while and try to start it again. If it keeps cycling off on the overload don’t continue to run it because it can hurt the compressor. The fan also gets its power from the compressor so it won’t start until the compressor starts.
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Post by jake on Feb 23, 2019 5:45:43 GMT
Welcome to the forum!! There's a thread in this section titled "GE Lazy Susan Fridge". On page 12, with the help of another forum member, I was able to post a picture of the wiring diagram for the 4 terminal compressor set up on an early '60s GE Combination. It shows the compressor, relay, and overload wiring. The overload is labeled "Guardette" on the diagram. I believe that's simply GE's trade name for the overload. Hope that helps you get your fridge going again!!
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Post by turbokinetic on Feb 23, 2019 12:26:54 GMT
Travis thinks the relay is the problem. I found the PN: WR7X32. On line searching didn't produce anything other than another PN of WR7X57, which is said to be a replacement for the PN ending in 32. I also found a Supco R041 that claims to replace the PN ending in 57. I'd rather search for OEM than try to make a Supco work. The compressor has four terminals on it.
I'm still not sure if there is a resistor involved or how to locate it if there is one. The fourth compressor terminal seems to be what might prevent either of the replacement relays from restoring the fridge to proper operation.
Hi, hopefully you can get it up and going again.
The four-terminal compressor has the usual three circuits, of common, main, and start. The fourth terminal is an "auxiliary winding" which serves only one purpose, to actuate the relay.
A Supco relay would not need this signal. There is a thread here where someone used an RO41 (I believe) to start one of those compressors.
I've been at work for an extended period with little time to spare, or I would try to look up more info for you.
Sincerely, David
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Post by turbokinetic on Feb 23, 2019 14:24:53 GMT
Hi guys, My '57 GE Combination has been making a buzz/rattle sound lately and I've been keeping an eye on it. Today it's not running. ...... Ralph
Hey Ralph, see if this wiring diagram will help you to solve the problem. The original configuration is shown at the top, with the replacement relay shown below, for comparison as to exactly what changes need to be made. Printable version: home.hiwaay.net/~davida1/IMG/GE_Fridge_4-wire.pdf
Here is the original GE manual page from which the above diagram was created.
Hope this helps. Sincerely, David
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rp2813
New Member
Vintage Refrigerators Rule!
Posts: 8
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Post by rp2813 on Feb 23, 2019 16:03:55 GMT
Thanks guys. Yes, the fan turns freely. I'm pretty sure it's the relay. I'll check out the "lazy susan" thread.
I have a guy coming to do some tree work today so may not be able to research this again until tomorrow, but will check in here after I do. I took pictures of the existing relay's connections and the same side of a WR7X57 and can post them here if that will help.
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Post by jake on Feb 23, 2019 23:52:33 GMT
You're welcome rp, glad to help! Yes, please keep us posted!
Hi David, thank you for putting the original diagram on this thread! I really like how you modernized it and created the diagram for the Supco relay!! Now if someone needs to use a modern relay on a 4 wire GE set up it won't be a mystery of how to hook it up!! That's awesome!!
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Post by turbokinetic on Feb 23, 2019 23:58:03 GMT
You're welcome rp, glad to help! Yes, please keep us posted! Hi David, thank you for putting the original diagram on this thread! I really like how you modernized it and created the diagram for the Supco relay!! Now if someone needs to use a modern relay on a 4 wire GE set up it won't be a mystery of how to hook it up!! That's awesome!!
Hi Jake. You're welcome. It just worked out that I had time today, to make this happen.
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Post by Alex Kotheimer on Sept 29, 2021 1:38:15 GMT
In moving I was looking through some of my old refrigeration gear gear. I found a General Electric wtrick WR7X32 . I don't know if it's any good but if you want it you can have it. Email me
akappraisers@gmail.com
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