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Post by greenmountainbill on Aug 21, 2019 17:56:02 GMT
Tried 3 companies so far. Can't get passed R12. THEY DON'T MAKE THAT ANYMORE!!!
Now what?
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Post by Travis on Aug 21, 2019 20:26:04 GMT
Bill,
If you had to you can buy some on eBay. Jesus Christ, are techs that stupid and unwilling to do anything? Maybe I don’t want to hear the answer.
You might also look on Facebook Marketplace. Around here there’s a bunch!
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Post by turbokinetic on Aug 21, 2019 22:08:00 GMT
Tried 3 companies so far. Can't get passed R12. THEY DON'T MAKE THAT ANYMORE!!! Now what? While it is true they don't manufacture R12 any more, you can still buy it. People hoarded it when the ban was first announced and they are selling it now. These early machines will work with a variety of currently-available refrigerants, as well. You don't have to go back with R12.
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 22, 2019 2:21:03 GMT
Tried 3 companies so far. Can't get passed R12. THEY DON'T MAKE THAT ANYMORE!!! Now what? While it is true they don't manufacture R12 any more, you can still buy it. People hoarded it when the ban was first announced and they are selling it now. These early machines will work with a variety of currently-available refrigerants, as well. You don't have to go back with R12. Yep many R12 replacements are available and R-12 if one tries. Most repair techs will assume it's not worth the money because of the age. A sealed system repair is time consuming if done right. Do you know how much your willing to spend? It's gonna cost a lot more than most will spend.
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Post by elec573 on Aug 22, 2019 2:57:40 GMT
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Post by birkie on Aug 22, 2019 11:02:39 GMT
That machine looks nicely restored. Worst case, you could lift the unit off the cabinet and ship it to one of the members here for repair as David mentioned. Maybe you could also place an ad on craigslist (or wherever folks post that sort of things these days) looking for somebody willing to diagnose and repair a possible leak in a 1940s refrigerator that uses R-12. The biggest 'unusual' thing that would be needed for a repair is a service kit that can be used to access the sealed system.
By the way, can you confirm you don't hear any bubbling or gurgling from the evaporator when it runs?
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Post by Travis on Aug 22, 2019 13:41:37 GMT
Bill,
You're running into the problem that coldspaces mentioned. It will cost more than what most would spend to repair it. The fault is that we've become conditioned to not repair anything because we can have a new shiny piece of crap delivered tomorrow.
You might talk to coldspaces about shipping the unit, though I have a feeling you can find someone competent in your area. The shipping will kill you, likely $300+ each way.
I think Birkie's suggestion to post on CL or Facebook Marketplace in your area is excellent. You'll find someone that's willing to tackle it.
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Post by turbokinetic on Aug 22, 2019 14:17:49 GMT
Bill, You're running into the problem that coldspaces mentioned. It will cost more than what most would spend to repair it. The fault is that we've become conditioned to not repair anything because we can have a new shiny piece of crap delivered tomorrow. ...... This, my friends, is very much true (bold added by me). What you have to get across to repair people is, that you are not looking at repair as an option based upon economics. You're looking for a repair because you want your machine fixed. If they are not OK with that way of thinking, they aren't the guys for the job.
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Post by Travis on Aug 22, 2019 14:41:01 GMT
Guys,
Not to totally hijack the thread, but this issue has become very common with everything vintage. As these items become less used, all support in terms of parts and repair stops. Everyone wants to get paid and there's no sense in being a tech for an item that's not being repaired anymore. There's exactly ONE electronics repair shop left in the St. Louis area that will tackle anything vintage. I am not aware of anyone that will fix a vintage refrigerator in my area. In fact, a friend asked if I could repair a 1950 Frigidaire for a neighbor some years ago. The neighbor had called an appliance tech. The tech billed the owner $70 to determine it needed a relay. The tech then said it wasn't available and the owner was left with the still dead fridge, but $70 poorer. I found a relay on ebay and installed it, only billing $20 for the relay. I did it for nothing because I had an income and I enjoyed doing it for the owner.
Almost all of these vintage repairs are being done by private individuals from their homes. Only two persons here have been inside a MT dome for repair. As far as I know, only David has repaired a belt drive anything. Thankfully, there are more people that do repair vintage electronics, though they're also collectors or retired people that enjoy the supplemental income or the sense of satisfaction.
If possible, show a picture of your refrigerator to a tech. I think most techs are of the age that they don't understand why you're wanting and willing to repair the fridge. They're probably envisioning as avocado 1970's fridge. I would not have replaced a relay had that old Frigidaire I mentioned above been green.
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Post by turbokinetic on Aug 22, 2019 20:25:11 GMT
Guys, Not to totally hijack the thread, but this issue has become very common with everything vintage. As these items become less used, all support in terms of parts and repair stops. Everyone wants to get paid and there's no sense in being a tech for an item that's not being repaired anymore. There's exactly ONE electronics repair shop left in the St. Louis area that will tackle anything vintage. I am not aware of anyone that will fix a vintage refrigerator in my area. In fact, a friend asked if I could repair a 1950 Frigidaire for a neighbor some years ago. The neighbor had called an appliance tech. The tech billed the owner $70 to determine it needed a relay. The tech then said it wasn't available and the owner was left with the still dead fridge, but $70 poorer. I found a relay on ebay and installed it, only billing $20 for the relay. I did it for nothing because I had an income and I enjoyed doing it for the owner. Almost all of these vintage repairs are being done by private individuals from their homes. Only two persons here have been inside a MT dome for repair. As far as I know, only David has repaired a belt drive anything. Thankfully, there are more people that do repair vintage electronics, though they're also collectors or retired people that enjoy the supplemental income or the sense of satisfaction. If possible, show a picture of your refrigerator to a tech. I think most techs are of the age that they don't understand why you're wanting and willing to repair the fridge. They're probably envisioning as avocado 1970's fridge. I would not have replaced a relay had that old Frigidaire I mentioned above been green. This is one of the reasons that networking; such as our forum here and Facebook groups; is so valuable for us antiques guys.
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Post by greenmountainbill on Sept 2, 2019 2:27:01 GMT
Update.........
A helpful gas refrigerator specialist in Maine found an independent refrigeration tech with his own shop (also in Maine) who agreed to take on the repair.
You may not know it but Maine is known as VACATIONLAND for good reason. That are thousands of camps, cabins, and vacation homes, many very old and off the grid. Hence the need for a gas refrigeration specialist and a 30 year refrigeration veteran familiar with old refrigerators. He very graciously took on the job of repairing my machine.
HIS REPORT TODAY: "I found my old GE adapter! Haven't used it in 25 years. It works!! No pressure in system. Gonna look for our leak now...........Found a big leak in area were the crossover pipe connects to the left side of the evaporator."
SO, WILL KEEP YOU ALL INFORMED.
BILL
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 2, 2019 2:29:32 GMT
Update......... A helpful gas refrigerator specialist in Maine found an independent refrigeration tech with his own shop (also in Maine) who agreed to take on the repair. You may not know it but Maine is known as VACATIONLAND for good reason. That are thousands of camps, cabins, and vacation homes, many very old and off the grid. Hence the need for a gas refrigeration specialist and a 30 year refrigeration veteran familiar with old refrigerators. He very graciously took on the job of repairing my machine. HIS REPORT TODAY: "I found my old GE adapter! Haven't used it in 25 years. It works!! No pressure in system. Gonna look for our leak now...........Found a big leak in area were the crossover pipe connects to the left side of the evaporator." SO, WILL KEEP YOU ALL INFORMED. BILL Good news, very hopeful to hear he soldered it and it's working again!
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Post by coldspaces on Sept 2, 2019 13:56:57 GMT
Glad to hear you found someone. Sounds like he knows what to do and best part is he wants too!
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Post by NJ_Bill on Sept 3, 2019 5:21:11 GMT
Travis. Would that unit need the service port kit like my single door FEA uses? I would imagine that might be a stumbling block for quite a few service shops these days. Altho in the back woods of Maine, Bill probably has a better chance of finding a shop with that kit than other areas.
...Strange, after posting this message, a bunch of more current replies showed up. Just as I thought, and old time service man up there had the service valve kit.
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Post by greenmountainbill on Sept 12, 2019 9:35:03 GMT
HELP...............
Fridge Tech needs to know how much R-12 is needed to to fill my FEA with.
Waiting to hear............................................................................
Thanks, Bill
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