1950's Montgomery Ward Refrigerator Wiring Diagram

Hi, sounds like a good project you got there! Someone might have a diagram, but more than likely you will need to make a diagram based on the type of components used in the fridge. Could you share pictures of the compressor, relay, and other components? That would help.

Sincerely,

David

Hi Asher. The pictures help a lot. Your compressor has a relay already installed on it. It's the part marked with the "1/8 HP" marking. 

This fridge very likely does not have an active defrost system. It will have a position on the dial for "defrost" but this only causes the thermostat to stay off long enough to allow the ice to melt.  

Originally, the compressor would have had a two-wire plug connected to the outlet attached to the side of the cabinet at the back. That outlet was part of a "generic" wiring harness such as what is used on older soft drink coolers. The circuit is very simple. the thermostat is just a switch which breaks the circuit to the compressor when the evaporator is cold enough. 

Here is a link to a replacement harness: https://www.fun-tronicsllc.com/product/wiring-harness-for-models-with-light-or-electric-coin-mech/ 

You'll have to take the plastic "breaker strip" trim off, around the cabinet liner. That will allow access to the wiring. The thermostat and light will share the power input wiring, with one wire going from the thermostat switched side back to the compressor. 

Hopefully this is useful info. I drew a diagram for building your own wiring, as well. That is what I normally do. This just shows the most basic configuration for an early simple fridge. Pay attention to the Live (hot) and Neutral and where they go. Neutral must go to the compressor terminal WITHOUT the overload; and to the outer screw shell part of the lamp socket. If it is not wired this way, there will be a safety concern with the system. 

Sincerely,
David