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Post by ge1950 on Feb 17, 2016 15:12:32 GMT
![]()   General Electric Model #AH-83-AA16 Picked up this 1950s fridge a few weeks ago to put in our vintage kitchen. The diagram on the back refers to it as a "General Electric Natural Draft Combination Refrigerator Freezer." It was in a basement when we picked it up. The guy who sold it to us had it plugged in for a few hours before we showed up and both the refrigerator and freezer seemed to be working fine. We had to get it up a flight of stairs and into a truck so it was on its side for short periods while we did that. Drove 3 hours home with it (covered in a tarp and duct tape) and it rained pretty good the whole way home. We left it unplugged for about 2 weeks based on what I had read about fluids needing time to settle and also to make sure that if any rain got through the tarp it would have time to dry out. Plugged it in 2 days ago. Freezer is working great (steady at 0) but the refrigerator compartment is not getting cold. I found another thread on here about this model number and from what I've read on here: "There are 2 sealed systems in this refrigerator, one powered by the compressor cools the freezer only. The second one is cooled by the first one and cools the refrigerator section only." I thought I would post to see if anyone has any troubleshooting tips/steps for us. We are having a hard time finding someone in our area who knows anything about vintage refrigerators. We don't know what we're doing but we really don't want to give up on this beauty. Any advice on what to do/check first is greatly appreciated! Attachments:
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Post by ckfan on Feb 17, 2016 16:17:40 GMT
That certainly is a beauty. I honestly don't know much about those particular refrigeration systems. I think that they have some sort of a restriction device for the refrigerator section that pulls refrigerant from the freezer section. I'm not sure though. I think they were pretty complex from what I remember reading. How does the compressor sound? Does it cycle on and off rapidly or does it wait a while before it kicks back on if it kicks off at all? I have always found those refrigerators fascinating. Hopefully someone can shed some light on how the refrigerator section gets refrigerant.
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Post by coldspaces on Feb 17, 2016 17:28:23 GMT
Its in great shape. I will try to find sometime to read up on it in the next few days or so and see if I can help.
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Post by ge1950 on Feb 17, 2016 21:11:04 GMT
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Post by coldspaces on Feb 21, 2016 1:08:15 GMT
So far I am not confident any of the material I have read is properly explaining how the valve in these refrigerators work. Everyone seems to think it controls the amount of Freon that flows from the freezer coil to the refrigerator coil. If that is true I don't see why they would need to list two different charge amounts on the tag. The valve must keep the two Freon charges separate.
Since the freezer works then I would assume that the control is faulty or the refrigerator coil has lost is Freon charge. I will have to see if any other books I have might show something.
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Post by coldspaces on Feb 26, 2016 6:23:06 GMT
This model number is not listed in my Gemline catalogs or the Tech Master spec books I have that cover 1950 - mid 70s. So far I also have found nothing new in the Audles repair manuals from the 50s either.
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Post by Irina Stuart on Apr 29, 2018 18:05:21 GMT
We bought one of these beauties back in the early 1970s at an auction. It was in perfect condition—looked new, but we paid only $65 because no one else was bidding on it. It has had to be serviced twice in the past 40 years, but (knocking on wood) not for the past 20 years or so, when it had been off for about a year while we did some remodeling, which is lucky because I doubt that anyone would know how to fix it.
The last serviceman we had said, "Now you be sure to call me if you ever want to sell this!" We will never part with it until it is dead as a doornail, which we hope is never. The thermometer on the inside of the freezer door stays in the green safety zone and food is frozen solid. The porcelain enamel crisper drawers keep fresh fruit and vegetables perfectly, but we had to get a little creative when the clips on which the refrigerator shelves rest gave out. We replaced the gaskets, which was a chore, but worth it.
We have a very small house and it is so wonderful to have a refrigerator that is almost silent. When people comment that refrigerators only last between 5 and 10 years, I just say uh huh and let it go. They're unlikely to find one of these anyway.
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Post by turbokinetic on Apr 30, 2018 0:17:41 GMT
We bought one of these beauties back in the early 1970s at an auction. It was in perfect condition—looked new, but we paid only $65 because no one else was bidding on it. It has had to be serviced twice in the past 40 years, but (knocking on wood) not for the past 20 years or so, when it had been off for about a year while we did some remodeling, which is lucky because I doubt that anyone would know how to fix it. The last serviceman we had said, "Now you be sure to call me if you ever want to sell this!" We will never part with it until it is dead as a doornail, which we hope is never. The thermometer on the inside of the freezer door stays in the green safety zone and food is frozen solid. The porcelain enamel crisper drawers keep fresh fruit and vegetables perfectly, but we had to get a little creative when the clips on which the refrigerator shelves rest gave out. We replaced the gaskets, which was a chore, but worth it. We have a very small house and it is so wonderful to have a refrigerator that is almost silent. When people comment that refrigerators only last between 5 and 10 years, I just say uh huh and let it go. They're unlikely to find one of these anyway.
Truer words have not been spoken! Thanks for keeping this built-in unit in operation and enjoying it.
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Post by jake on May 1, 2018 4:27:54 GMT
NICE fridge!! I have a 1949 Hotpoint Servicegram book that describes your symptoms exactly! Freezer operating normally (0°F to +10°F) refrigerator section warm. Hotpoint used this same dual refrigeration system during this time period. The (electric) cold control found behind the bottom panel on the left side senses the freezer evaporator temperature and cycles the compressor to maintain the freezer temperature. The thumbwheel cold control in the upper left back of the refrigerator section operates a valve, to control the flow of refrigerant through the secondary system. The secondary system is for the refrigerator section only. The cooling tubes are attached to the back side of the refrigerator section walls. Here's what the manual says. Liner temperature and cabinet air temperature above 50°F. Check freezer. If normal (0°F to +10°F) remove back plate. Poor contact between primary and secondary tubing. Secondary tubing should be clamped to primary tubing with a liberal amount of Permagum between the tubes. Provide at least 3/8" slope from valve to vertical tube from lower coil. Improper slope of liquid drain tube from valve to lower coil on secondary liner. Celotex spacer may be missing or not positioned properly. Measure temperature opposite the top and bottom tube on the liner. Putty thermometer to back panel 2-1/4" from top, 3-3/4" from bottom. Readings should be within 1 to 2 degrees. If there is a large leak (8-10oz. F-12), a large temperature difference (over 8°F) with sweating only on the top panel of the lower liner will result. Leak in valve or tubing. Temperature difference between top and bottom tube as measured above will be normal but temperatures will be higher than normal depending on the amount of non-condensable gas. No adjustments possible. Non-condensable gas. Remove camshaft and open lower door allowing refrigerant to flush through the valve as rapidly as possible to clear foreign material or sticky valve. Tap valve lightly. When operating normally in an 80°F room the following approximate temperatures should be observed when opening the door first thing in the morning. Refrigerator cold control position #1 49°F air and liner opposite tube 37°F. Position #9 30°F air and 24°F liner opposite tube. Hope this helps!! You have a very nice fridge there!! Hopefully we can help get it going again!! Please keep us posted!!
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