|
|
Post by turbokinetic on Apr 23, 2018 13:53:47 GMT
Hey folks, I have a question. Went to look at my friend's CK this week; and after we got it running, a line sprung a leak. It is the liquid line from the bottom of the float needle valve to the evaporator inlet. It doesn't look like it will be too bad to repair, as the evaporator appears to be some sort of plated brass or copper; with the tube being copper.
Any pointers on repairing this area? I posted an update on the original thread, but it may be overlooked due to that thread being old now. Pictures are here: monitortop.freeforums.net/post/21316
Sincerely, David |
|
|
|
Post by ckfan on Apr 23, 2018 14:50:24 GMT
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that happened. I’m glad it is in good hands though. I wish I had more than words of encouragement to give you.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbokinetic on Apr 23, 2018 15:44:59 GMT
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that happened. I’m glad it is in good hands though. I wish I had more than words of encouragement to give you. Yeah it was a bummer. However, it is better to have this happen now than "A," happened 30 years ago and it has been sitting open all the time... or "B" happen after the fridge is restored and put to use and then has to be taken all apart again! So as always it could have been worse.
|
|
|
|
Post by birkie on Apr 24, 2018 0:44:26 GMT
Sorry to hear that! The evaporator is made entirely of stainless steel. Except for where the suction and liquid lines come in, everything is welded. I *thought* the liquid line went into the evaporator for some length, but after looking at its construction in the patent, I'm not so sure: patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/16/07/75/067c17e33ba5d3/US2117861.pdfI think it would probably take well to some of the higher percentage silver brazes (45 or 56), but solder like say-brite 8 might work too. Looking at the pictures in the other thread, the area really didn't look that bad. They're not known for letting go unprovoked, this one seems to have had an unusual failure mode. As far as the float (question from the other thread), if it's working I see no need to seek an alternative. Despite their problems plugging up in an SO2 environment sometimes, I really like them. If you switch to a "cleaner" refrigerant the float ought to be happy. A CK can run on almost anything, though it may change the way the machine sounds. |
|
|
|
Post by turbokinetic on Apr 24, 2018 0:52:47 GMT
Sorry to hear that! The evaporator is made entirely of stainless steel. Except for where the suction and liquid lines come in, everything is welded. I *thought* the liquid line went into the evaporator for some length, but after looking at its construction in the patent, I'm not so sure: patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/16/07/75/067c17e33ba5d3/US2117861.pdfI think it would probably take well to some of the higher percentage silver brazes (45 or 56), but solder like say-brite 8 might work too. Looking at the pictures in the other thread, the area really didn't look that bad. They're not known for letting go unprovoked, this one seems to have had an unusual failure mode. As far as the float (question from the other thread), if it's working I see no need to seek an alternative. Despite their problems plugging up in an SO2 environment sometimes, I really like them. If you switch to a "cleaner" refrigerant the float ought to be happy. A CK can run on almost anything, though it may change the way the machine sounds. Hey thanks for the reply! Seeing how the top of the fridge was rotated around the wrong way; it's apparent that people have been monkeying with it. There's always the chance they kinked the line removing / installing the top on the cabinet, and that weakened it.
Thankfully I have decent experience with brazing and soldering; as well as a good oxy acetylene torch with small tips. I hope to have no problem fixing it. Andrew bought it because he was enthusiastic about the old fridges, and got especially interested after seeing that I was able to fix the Frigidaire I got recently. He isn't concerned with the sound just that it becomes a nice, reliable conversation piece. It's going to be a wine / beer / soda fridge.
The patent drawing seems to confirm that the evaporator has a single channel for the first part of the circuit. I did see the older methyl formate units had one with an internal tube that was a distribution manifold. Doesn't look like this one has that, thank goodness!
|
|
|
|
Post by ablock on Apr 24, 2018 2:36:50 GMT
I'm David's friend Andrew! I have always loved the monitor top and years ago, passed on a 2 door model and regretted it ever since. This CK came from the estate of a local restaurateur, who I am told, originally had it at the restaurant. I imagine it was only left in the estate because it was so heavy. I'm lucky and privileged to have someone like David who is not only a great guy, but also a highly talented restorer. I can make stuff pretty but he can make it work! I enjoyed testing the fridge and was delighted to see it quickly cool down after being stored for over 40 years. And it worked wonderfully till it gave me a face full of SO2! But it comes with the territory in working on old stuff! The CK has a porcelain exterior which is in excellent condition overall but has some cancer rust under the door which needs to be tended to and the door won't close properly. I can't tell if the hinges need adjustment or the cabinet is out of wack but that is how I found it. It will be a fun project and a neat piece and I'll probably be back here looking for advice on the cosmetics but till then, I know it is in good hands mechanically so I'm not worried.  |
|
|
|
Post by cablehack on Apr 24, 2018 8:07:27 GMT
I've been through this scenario with both my CA's. It looks similar in that the copper high side tube goes straight into the evaporator. Even if the break is right at this point, you can insert a new piece of tubing that's of smaller diameter to reconnect it. The reduction in diameter here shouldn't be a problem because the flow is already restricted at the float valve.
My main concern would be to do with moisture entry now that it's open to the atmosphere. This is highly undesirable with SO2 systems because of the acid that can form. It needs to be sealed up quickly and then vacuumed out.
|
|
|
|
Post by birkie on Apr 24, 2018 12:18:24 GMT
I enjoyed testing the fridge and was delighted to see it quickly cool down after being stored for over 40 years. And it worked wonderfully till it gave me a face full of SO2! But it comes with the territory in working on old stuff! Best of luck getting it running again and in good cosmetic shape, it is in good hands. The leak just adds to its story. With 40 years sitting in storage, it's just barely broken in |
|
|
|
Post by ablock on Apr 24, 2018 15:32:40 GMT
Would you guys advise sealing the leak up with duct tape, etc temporarily? It's in an enclosed building, but not climate controlled and our humidity lingers around 60%.
|
|
|
|
Post by birkie on Apr 24, 2018 16:39:23 GMT
Would you guys advise sealing the leak up with duct tape, etc temporarily? It's in an enclosed building, but not climate controlled and our humidity lingers around 60%. Yes, please do. The less moisture that gets in there, the better. |
|
|
|
Post by turbokinetic on Apr 24, 2018 22:34:47 GMT
Thanks again for the comments! I am currently at work with very limited Internet time. Won't be on here much until a later day. I had thought about sticking some sort of putty around the leak to seal it - possibly something like knead-and-stick epoxy? Will take more work to get it clean for brazing, but that won't be too much work in reality. It should be in the 2 to 3 weeks range before a proper repair is possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by cablehack on Apr 24, 2018 23:39:30 GMT
possibly something like knead-and-stick epoxy That would be more effective than tape. |
|
|
|
Post by ckfan on Apr 25, 2018 17:33:00 GMT
Even something like duct seal putty would work. It would be a lot less hard to chisel off too.
|
|
|
|
Post by turbokinetic on Apr 26, 2018 22:43:29 GMT
Got a question; what is the proper name of the service connector to hook up to the CK's service port? I want to search for one (although probably it will be Unobtainium).
|
|
|
|
Post by joneske on Apr 26, 2018 23:00:40 GMT
|
|
