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Post by turbokinetic on May 12, 2018 4:38:43 GMT
This was a "crime of opportunity" while I had the trailer with me already... and the price was right!
The problem was the fridge had been sitting and the house was sold. The owner's parents had purchased it new and kept it through all the years. It would become a spare when they would have a newer fridge, but always ready when someone needed one or the new one failed.
The wiring had finally rotted out. Thankfully, the Frigidaires have an easily accessible wiring design. The trim around the edge of the cabinet liner comes out for wiring access.
Trim removed and new wiring (blue THHN / MTW style) installed: 
Wiring routed to the corner where it goes under the cabinet. 
I soldered a new set of contacts into the start relay. The originals were totally worn away. This may have been the reason the fridge was finally taken out of service. The new contacts allow it to work like new. 
Wiring under the unit, viewed from the front with the kick panel removed. 
Viewed from the back. A 3-wire grounded cord is in place along with new wiring from the compressor all the way through to the thermostat. 
Here is a more detailed video with some relay diagnosis and the work progress fixing the wiring.
(continued) |
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Post by turbokinetic on May 12, 2018 4:42:59 GMT
Some exterior pictures. It has a fairly nice glass enamel cabinet. There are a few chips in it but it is otherwise nice. During the repairs to the wiring, I found that the insulation is dry and in good shape with virtually no rust anywhere in the cabinet.
This one has the "Super Freezer Chest" option. 
This one is in perfect mechanical condition. I need to sell it because I have no room for all of these. Hopefully I can find a good local buyer who will appreciate it and use it.
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Post by ckfan on May 12, 2018 16:25:19 GMT
That’s so nice. Good job on the rewire. I will need to do the same to my very similar Frigidaire eventually. It’s wiring is in better shape though. Mine is a 42 model and has the super freezer as well. Gets down to a true zero too! I’m assuming that your model isn’t a cold wall since it doesn’t say it anywhere. Mine is a cold wall and I love that feature! So interesting to be able to leave food uncovered and not have them dry out.
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Post by turbokinetic on May 12, 2018 16:42:32 GMT
That’s so nice. Good job on the rewire. I will need to do the same to my very similar Frigidaire eventually. It’s wiring is in better shape though. Mine is a 42 model and has the super freezer as well. Gets down to a true zero too! I’m assuming that your model isn’t a cold wall since it doesn’t say it anywhere. Mine is a cold wall and I love that feature! So interesting to be able to leave food uncovered and not have them dry out. Thanks! I appreciate the compliment, coming from a fellow enthusiast! This one is a nice one. There's something about buying something from the "original family" owner. It's still got to get a new door gasket before it's ready for prime time!
As for the Cold Wall; that would be a portion of the evaporator coil inside the cabinet wall? If so then this one definitely does not have that design. It has air vents at the sides of the freezer compartment where the cold air can fall down from the freezer to the fridge compartment.
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Post by ckfan on May 12, 2018 19:14:28 GMT
Yes, that is correct. The cold wall has a second evaporator that is inside all the interior walls and bottom. It works very well at keeping things at a very even temp since there is so much surface area doing the cooling. It also means that you get a very humid environment since the freezer is insulated from the main cabinet. Water drips into a pan at the back. It works quite well.
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Post by turbokinetic on May 12, 2018 20:30:11 GMT
Yes, that is correct. The cold wall has a second evaporator that is inside all the interior walls and bottom. It works very well at keeping things at a very even temp since there is so much surface area doing the cooling. It also means that you get a very humid environment since the freezer is insulated from the main cabinet. Water drips into a pan at the back. It works quite well.
What a good idea! I found your videos as well and plan to watch more this evening! Today really busy and laptop has blown speakers!
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Post by ckfan on May 12, 2018 21:24:47 GMT
Yes, I need to do much more work towards getting more videos done. The first thing I need to get is a better camera.
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Post by turbokinetic on May 12, 2018 22:20:10 GMT
Yes, I need to do much more work towards getting more videos done. The first thing I need to get is a better camera.
It seems that I get more positive responses, including others starting and accomplishing projects, from my videos than anything else. Really makes me happy.
I use a Canon SX600HS camera. It's touted as a still camera but the video function is much better than any camcorder we ever had when I was a kid!
Here is an example of one for sale. www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX600-Digital-Camera/dp/B00HLDFQU8 Note that I did not pay near that price for mine, and even got it at a "brick-and-mortar" store. In fact it came from the same Office Depot where the R152A duster spray Freon for the CK Monitor Top repairs came from. 
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Post by jake on May 13, 2018 21:55:52 GMT
Another awesome video and fridge!! Thank you very much for sharing!! Definitely a late '40s Deluxe model. Very complete too! Only thing I saw missing are two of the single wide ice trays. I believe it originally came with three single wide trays and one double wide. Excellent job on the rewire! Most likely it was the heat from the bottom mounted condenser that deteriorated the original wiring over the years. A few weeks ago I replaced the relay and power cord on my '50 Frigidaire. It's almost identical to this one so I was especially interested in this video! My condenser is on the back and the relay is on the front, behind the kick panel. The cord and compressor wiring run underneath the fridge and aren't exposed to the heat from the condenser. It's still in excellent condition. Very pliable and no cracks or missing insulation. The power cord was pulling away from the plug. That's why I replaced it. I am curious about the thermostat feeler tube on yours. On mine the feeler tube runs behind the right side plastic trim and up to the freezer. The metal access panel, that on yours is top center, is on the top right on mine. The feeler tube goes behind the access panel then clamps on the freezer, right side. The two knobs, one on each side of your freezer drip tray, are seasonal controls. I'm sure you saw they operate flaps to control air circulation. They should be open during the warmer months and closed for the cooler months. You even have the multi-purpose bin for the freezer and the plastic drawer under the half shelf! That's incredible!! Again, a super nice fridge and thanks for sharing!!
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Post by turbokinetic on May 14, 2018 1:35:25 GMT
Another awesome video and fridge!! Thank you very much for sharing!! Definitely a late '40s Deluxe model. Very complete too! Only thing I saw missing are two of the single wide ice trays. I believe it originally came with three single wide trays and one double wide. Excellent job on the rewire! Most likely it was the heat from the bottom mounted condenser that deteriorated the original wiring over the years. A few weeks ago I replaced the relay and power cord on my '50 Frigidaire. It's almost identical to this one so I was especially interested in this video! My condenser is on the back and the relay is on the front, behind the kick panel. The cord and compressor wiring run underneath the fridge and aren't exposed to the heat from the condenser. It's still in excellent condition. Very pliable and no cracks or missing insulation. The power cord was pulling away from the plug. That's why I replaced it. I am curious about the thermostat feeler tube on yours. On mine the feeler tube runs behind the right side plastic trim and up to the freezer. The metal access panel, that on yours is top center, is on the top right on mine. The feeler tube goes behind the access panel then clamps on the freezer, right side. The two knobs, one on each side of your freezer drip tray, are seasonal controls. I'm sure you saw they operate flaps to control air circulation. They should be open during the warmer months and closed for the cooler months. You even have the multi-purpose bin for the freezer and the plastic drawer under the half shelf! That's incredible!! Again, a super nice fridge and thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for the positive feedback on this video! I agree this fridge is super nice considering how complete it is. It was bought from the original family owner.
I don't blame you for changing the cord and wiring on yours. I love keeping things as original as possible, but there have to be some exceptions when reliability and safety are concerned!
I looked and the capillary tube for the thermostat does go up behind the freezer on the right side. From there, I can't see where it goes!
I did see the seasonal controls. Very nice touch. That is one step further along in the evolution to having a thermostatically controlled door or fan to keep the refrigerator compartment independently controlled!
I have to get a new door gasket for this one, as after 2 days there is already significant ice buildup in it.
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Post by jake on May 14, 2018 22:29:36 GMT
 Here's a wiring diagram that Frigidaire used for several years from the late '40s through the early '50s. The relay shown in the upper left corner of the diagram is for 220/240 volt applications, I believe. I thought maybe you'd find it interesting! |
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Post by turbokinetic on May 14, 2018 23:51:06 GMT
Here's a wiring diagram that Frigidaire used for several years from the late '40s through the early '50s. The relay shown in the upper left corner of the diagram is for 220/240 volt applications, I believe. I thought maybe you'd find it interesting!
Nice. I believe mine does have that diagram on it, as well. It's just a little more worn.
I do have one of the YR relays that came with the older R114 compressor that I got as a spare.
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Post by dcraven on May 17, 2018 15:01:06 GMT
Great post, thanks for documenting your restoration! I'll be revisiting it sometime in the future when I restore the late 40's Frigidaire that I have.
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Post by turbokinetic on May 17, 2018 20:11:23 GMT
Great post, thanks for documenting your restoration! I'll be revisiting it sometime in the future when I restore the late 40's Frigidaire that I have.
Thank you, glad you found it useful!
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