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Post by frostyfridge1 on Jun 17, 2018 21:26:42 GMT
Hello, i have a GE Monitor Top refrigerator with tags that says it is a DR-1 Form A, Type G-35 and number 3004961. Just wondering what year it would be from. Also, it was working fine until recently when it burnt the overload wire off when it trying to start. Any one know what might have caused this to happen? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by Travis on Jun 17, 2018 22:00:58 GMT
Likely 1930. Did it burn through the overload or just a wire failed going to the overload?
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 17, 2018 22:06:55 GMT
Hello, i have a GE Monitor Top refrigerator with tags that says it is a DR-1 Form A, Type G-35 and number 3004961. Just wondering what year it would be from. Also, it was working fine until recently when it burnt the overload wire off when it trying to start. Any one know what might have caused this to happen? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Hi there. Sorry you're having problems with your DR. I'm not the expert on dating them, but the literature for the DR states 1927 to 1932 is the production range. Hopefully one of the gurus can chime in!
As for the failure of the overload; this is a sign of a short circuit. The overload heater is supposed to respond to elevated current draw from the motor, such as if the compressor is starting against pressure, seized, or maybe the start relay contacts are not closing. In your case, it sounds like there is a direct short somewhere in the system. This causes massive current to flow. The heat does not have time to activate the overload mechanism before the heater wire burns in half.
Unfortunately, there have been several similar sequence of events with the early DR compressors here, and they have ended up being a motor winding failure.  That would be the worst case. I would definitely start by inspecting all the wiring to rule out this as being a cause of the short.
Has anything been done to the fridge lately, especially moving it or bumping it? Also have there been any power events recently that could have damaged the motor?
Sincerely, David
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Post by frostyfridge1 on Jun 17, 2018 22:39:46 GMT
Hello, i have a GE Monitor Top refrigerator with tags that says it is a DR-1 Form A, Type G-35 and number 3004961. Just wondering what year it would be from. Also, it was working fine until recently when it burnt the overload wire off when it trying to start. Any one know what might have caused this to happen? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Hi there. Sorry you're having problems with your DR. I'm not the expert on dating them, but the literature for the DR states 1927 to 1932 is the production range. Hopefully one of the gurus can chime in!
As for the failure of the overload; this is a sign of a short circuit. The overload heater is supposed to respond to elevated current draw from the motor, such as if the compressor is starting against pressure, seized, or maybe the start relay contacts are not closing. In your case, it sounds like there is a direct short somewhere in the system. This causes massive current to flow. The heat does not have time to activate the overload mechanism before the heater wire burns in half.
Unfortunately, there have been several similar sequence of events with the early DR compressors here, and they have ended up being a motor winding failure. That would be the worst case. I would definitely start by inspecting all the wiring to rule out this as being a cause of the short.
Has anything been done to the fridge lately, especially moving it or bumping it? Also have there been any power events recently that could have damaged the motor?
Sincerely, David
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Post by frostyfridge1 on Jun 17, 2018 22:44:11 GMT
When i plugged it in it started working and was cooling normally. A little while later i noticed it was not running and it would not start up. When i took the cover off the controls i noticed the overload wire was burnt through. i put a solid piece of wire in it's place and turned it on and it instantly burnt through that wire also. How do i check the motor windings?
Thanks, Larry
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Post by Travis on Jun 17, 2018 22:45:03 GMT
This could have a type D control.
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Post by Travis on Jun 17, 2018 22:50:13 GMT
It sounds as if your DR1 has passed away. To check the motor leads, remove the temperature probe from the evaporator, then remove the two or four screws that hold the control to the unit. The leads are the larger three of the five. Check each of them to the frame. Also, check each to another: Run to common, Start to common and run to start.
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Post by turbokinetic on Jun 17, 2018 23:25:31 GMT
It sounds as if your DR1 has passed away. To check the motor leads, remove the temperature probe from the evaporator, then remove the two or four screws that hold the control to the unit. The leads are the larger three of the five. Check each of them to the frame. Also, check each to another: Run to common, Start to common and run to start.
It does seem like that is the most likely issue.
When i plugged it in it started working and was cooling normally. A little while later i noticed it was not running and it would not start up. When i took the cover off the controls i noticed the overload wire was burnt through. i put a solid piece of wire in it's place and turned it on and it instantly burnt through that wire also. How do i check the motor windings? Thanks, Larry
Yeah, there is nothing unusual which could have happened to it and caused an external short. In agreement with Travis, it does seem that the motor has shorted internally.
It may seem as if it has passed away; however one of the amazing things about mechanical devices is... they were made by men and can be repaired by men. It would take a lot of effort to repair, no doubt. Effort in the sense of time and money; more or less of each. But, depending on the level of sentimental value it has to you, there are options.
If you don't have the attachment to it to justify a repair, there may be people who would buy it before it is scrapped. Please keep us abreast of what the outcome is.
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Post by elec573 on Jun 18, 2018 2:47:31 GMT
Check out the dr service manual for the wiring diagram. As well as other questions you might have.
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Post by ckfan on Jun 18, 2018 22:15:05 GMT
Yeah, that doesn’t sound good. However, please do check the wires going to the compressor for any visible damage. If the insulation failed and two wires rubbing against each other shorted together it would cause this. By taking an ohm meter and testing all the wires to the chassis and to each other you can learn a lot.
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That would be the worst case. I would definitely start by inspecting all the wiring to rule out this as being a cause of the short.
