General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940...

turbokinetic
27 Cubic Foot

Posts: 3,157

General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940... Apr 30, 2024 14:36:31 GMT ckfan and monitorhead like this

Quote

Post by turbokinetic on Apr 30, 2024 14:36:31 GMT

Got a project to share! This is a very rare piece! It is a vintage Pepsi item. Pepsi coolers are less abundant than Coca-Cola, so that is a tick in the "rare' box. It is a water-bath bottle cooler, which are less common than dry coolers, so that is another tick in the 'rare' box. Finally; it is a belt-drive unit so another tick in the 'rare' box. This is about as uncommon as they come.

This was used by Pepsi distributors in 1940, when GE was already well into the era of hermetic units. It is interesting to see the two designs side by side. This uses the same style thermostat as the CF flat top fridges. GE made their own small belt-drive compressor which is unusual in several ways.

I love the old belt-drive stuff and am honored to have the opportunity to get this going again.
Sincerely,
David

Part 1, introduction: https://youtu.be/KEzqHm0kvAw

Part 2, parts restoration: https://youtu.be/xxL8Rcefe-E

Part 3, Reassembly of system: https://youtu.be/Clvm3o3ovnM

Part 4, Cabinet back from paint: https://youtu.be/LopL4HSZzHc

Part 5: Thermostat clean and test: https://youtu.be/Kkg68Q3MpF8

Part 6, Conclusion uploaded in HD: https://youtu.be/9n4a0L2cHhY

allan
14 Cubic Foot

Posts: 1,283

General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940... May 7, 2024 17:04:44 GMT via mobile ckfan and turbokinetic like this

Quote

Post by allan on May 7, 2024 17:04:44 GMT

Outstanding work as always! How do you feel about the compressor shaft seal? I have a lot of the old open compressors with leaking shaft seals that I can’t find replacements for. Any ideas? Can you direct me to that previous job where you modified a shaft seal? I have some small old Tecumseh, Frigidaire and Crosley ones I would love to put back to work. I have some new Doran belt drive compressors but they are just too noisy. Thanks for sharing your work! Allan

turbokinetic
27 Cubic Foot

Posts: 3,157

General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940... May 7, 2024 21:02:47 GMT ckfan likes this

Quote

Post by turbokinetic on May 7, 2024 21:02:47 GMT

May 7, 2024 17:04:44 GMT allan said:

Outstanding work as always! How do you feel about the compressor shaft seal? I have a lot of the old open compressors with leaking shaft seals that I can’t find replacements for. Any ideas? Can you direct me to that previous job where you modified a shaft seal? I have some small old Tecumseh, Frigidaire and Crosley ones I would love to put back to work. I have some new Doran belt drive compressors but they are just too noisy. Thanks for sharing your work! Allan

The shaft seals are the worst part of these! I try to lap-in the originals if they are restorable, but not all are. When it comes to adapting new seals, I typically try to install seals for the GM car A/C compressors. Normally the shaft needs machining to make the seal journal, and then a carrier bushing has to be made to hold the seal.

The first videos I did on the belt-drives show some of the seal work.

So glad you are enjoying seeing my work on these. They are a really cool part of a bygone era.

Not too familiar with Doran compressors. You have any info on them?

Sincerely,
David

douro20
5 Cubic Foot

Posts: 88

General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940... May 8, 2024 4:27:56 GMT ckfan and turbokinetic like this

Quote

Post by douro20 on May 8, 2024 4:27:56 GMT

You mean Dorin? Those things are made in Italy. The smallest open drive they currently make is the 2Q2 which is a 27.2cc twin-cylinder machine made to be driven with a 1/2-2hp motor at 1000 rpm.

turbokinetic
27 Cubic Foot

Posts: 3,157

General Electric belt-drive Pepsi cooler from 1940... May 8, 2024 9:53:23 GMT ckfan likes this

Quote

Post by turbokinetic on May 8, 2024 9:53:23 GMT

May 8, 2024 4:27:56 GMT douro20 said:

You mean Dorin? Those things are made in Italy. The smallest open drive they currently make is the 2Q2 which is a 27.2cc twin-cylinder machine made to be driven with a 1/2-2hp motor at 1000 rpm.

Thanks for the spelling info. They have a good website with lots of technical details, as well.

For a project where cost is no concern, these would be an option to replace a missing belt drive compressor if so desired.