vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Mar 29, 2015 22:35:15 GMT
Hello all. I'm joining this forum at the suggestion of the illustrious ChrisJ. I've posted on another forum he frequents with some questions concerning my old Victory fridge and he thought the folks here would enjoy a look see. This is original to my house, heavy gauge SS inside and out and works with a remote compressor in the basement. It's ~ 21-25cusq ft and is all fridge. Victory is still an extanct business manufacturing high-end commercial refrigerator/freezers. Many regard them as the "Cadillac" of commercial fridges, but I'm not sure what separates them from the others. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics. Feel free to ask any questions. I'm showing the gaskets because I've been unable to find the correct vinyl-covered hollow core tadpole style anywhere, and I thought someone here may have a suggestion. The flange slips under under the bakelite side panels on the door and is screwed in place. What is pictured is solid core and doesn't compress enough.
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Post by cablehack on Mar 29, 2015 22:53:12 GMT
Very interesting to see a domestic split system fridge in use. Do you know how old it is? Is the compressor as new as it looks or just well preserved? The filter drier certainly looks new.
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Post by coldspaces on Mar 30, 2015 1:44:30 GMT
I have worked on more than a few Victory brand coolers over the years and must say they were a well made unit. They are made to be serviced easier than most. They do the service labor saving things like bring all the wiring to a central terminal stip that lets you test each components electrical circuit individually without tearing half the cabinet apart to get at it.
Let me see what is in the catalogs for door seals.
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Post by ChrisJ on Mar 30, 2015 13:51:15 GMT
vimco, did you ever get the failing compressor problem figured out?
BTW, welcome! I'm glad you finally joined!
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Mar 30, 2015 23:17:34 GMT
Thank you Chrisj and everyone else that has commented. the fridge is from the mid-forties. Victory manufactured SS for the war effort (hence the name victory) and moved into refrigeration as that effort wound down. Mine is one of the early units custom-made for the space. There used to be an icebox there as the access panel is behind the fridge.
Everything was replaced five years ago, so it's really like a new unit. That compressor was fairly new, but seized after five years. i just replaced it last week, but would love to know why it failed so soon. The new compressor is much quieter both upon start-up and during its on time. I wonder if something was wrong with the old one from the start. I kept it as a door stop to my boiler room.
The door seals are those used in older walk-in units. I'm desperate for a proper replacement as it's a moldy disaster in our hot, humid summers.
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Post by coldspaces on Mar 31, 2015 0:46:46 GMT
I don't see a source for such a gasket that has a hollow foam core, only solid foam cores. There are some foam and vinyl that are hollow you might make work. Do you have a better pic of the original gasket and dimensions?
Normally when a compressor fails it was for some reason other than the compressor itself. But not always. Did you install the new system in it yourself 5 years ago?
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Mar 31, 2015 0:59:02 GMT
Thanks coldspaces. A friend of a friend who works on commercial installs did the work and told me what to order. The compressor was exactly like the prior one. I had a professional put this latest one in, but I got the compressor from the same place as always. He says it was properly sized.
Unfortunately, the FOAF pitched the original gasket before we got the new one pictured. I always thought it was just too large, but recently discovered it didn't work because it was sold core. The one shown on fridge currently is also solid, but smaller diameter. I think I need between 3/8" - 1/2". The gasket shown on its own is really similar to the original, just sold.
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Post by coldspaces on Mar 31, 2015 1:15:30 GMT
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Mar 31, 2015 4:39:30 GMT
That was a great link!...the D doesn't work, unfortunately; that was the second type I tried. (I've tried many), but the Trim Lok x313 might be perfect to retrofit into coated fabric after taking out the solid core. It's cheap on the Walmart site and I'm going to see if I can get a sample from TrimLok tomorrow.
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Post by coldspaces on Mar 31, 2015 4:46:44 GMT
I wondered if you could cover up one of those round ones. What are you going to try to do reuse the cover from the newer one you have.
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Mar 31, 2015 4:57:28 GMT
Yes. I need to see how easily I can pull out the solid core as I don't relish undoing all that sewing.
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Apr 1, 2015 17:38:50 GMT
Trim lok is sending me a couple of samples. They have great customer service and will allow you to buy direct which is worthwhile if you have alot to order. I don't need THAT much so will probably order elsewhere.
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Post by ChrisJ on Apr 1, 2015 19:33:30 GMT
I'll probably get yelled at for suggesting this, but what about trying the custom made magnetic gaskets Allan uses? I'm probably going to use one on my next monitor top. Sure, it's not necessary due to the latch and it's not original but they were very affordable and are said to work really well. -------------- Magnetic and non-magnetic door gaskets. Not original but they sure work nice! You will need style number #716 CoolerGaskets.com (855) 288-2259 orders@coolergaskets.com www.coolergaskets.com/
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vimco
5 Cubic Foot
Posts: 70
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Post by vimco on Apr 1, 2015 19:45:33 GMT
I'm checking that out now. i guess i'd need to attach something that's magnetic around the perimeter cuz my fridge isn't magnetic. OH, and I'm not going to yell at you. I used peel 'n' place gaskets from Lowe's for a few years until I go the latest stuff that doesn't work either. At this point, whatever works and stays put.
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Post by ChrisJ on Apr 1, 2015 20:56:12 GMT
Your fridge isn't porcelain enameled steel? Normally, you glue this, or it may have adhesive already on it, to the door. Then the magnet would just stick to the enclosure when you close the door like a modern fridge.
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