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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 17, 2015 22:02:31 GMT
Hi, second post here (posted about my new CA unit in that forum). I have a '20s (I think) double door Sears Coldspot unit. It runs quietly, but it doesn't get cold. The previous owners swore up and down that it worked, and there were never any SO2 smells around it, so I am inclined to believe them. It sat idle for quite a while, and then was transported on its back in a pickup truck, so I am wondering if maybe the compressor is flooded. This is a problem that is associated with disuse in some Coldspot service instructions I got off eBay (for a slightly later unit, but the mechanicals appear to be the same). I have played around a little bit with the expansion valve adjustment (according to the service instructions), and the evaporator did get "cool" to the touch, but nowhere near cold enough. I'm afraid to mess with it any more, as I really don't know what I'm doing. The rubber diaphragm cap on the expansion valve has long since deteriorated, and I've been hunting around for something to use as a replacement. I'd appreciate any and all advice. I can scan the service information I got (it's only a few pages) and post/email it if anyone is interested. Thank you, Andy FitzGibbon      |
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 17, 2015 22:33:47 GMT
Nice Coldspot. My first assumption would be that the charge is low as it is not a hermetically seal unit. Some may have made it past the shaft seal after all these years. Does it frost even a little just after the valve?
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 17, 2015 23:46:40 GMT
Hi,
I haven't seen any frost at all. Right now I've got the valve set at the baseline adjustment in the service instructions of 5 turns open. I've experimented with opening it more as well. I can hear refrigerant being passed through, but the evaporator only ever gets cool to the touch.
Would the evaporator form frost fairly quickly from idle, or should I expect it to take a few hours? I've just started the unit and I'll let it run for 24 hours or so to see if there is any change.
I don't have any refrigeration service equipment- I'd be happy to pay someone with the right equipment to recharge it, but none of the refrigeration companies I talked to would touch it due to the SO2.
Thanks,
Andy
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Post by allan on Aug 18, 2015 1:29:32 GMT
Andy
That is a beautiful cabinet in exceptional condition! I have a few open drive units and usually it's the same problem, a leaky compressor shaft seal. It is possible that the leak is small but with SO2 the results are not good. While anything is possible if you throw enough cash at it, repairing or replacing the compressor shaft seal is not feasible. With a cabinet as good as yours it is surely worth a transplant with a belt drive compressor, or a hermetic unit. I am currently investigating the Frescold compressor for one of my projects. It just depends on how original you want to be. Please post some pics of the interior.
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 18, 2015 2:07:08 GMT
Very few people will be capable of adding SO2 for you. This is part of why I did the experimenting I did to get my 32 to run on R-134a. Sounds like Alan knows that the seal is not very likely to be available and the leaking so2 may have corroded the seal area to much to repair.
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Post by Travis on Aug 18, 2015 3:32:42 GMT
I have one of those. Mine would cool a little bit but the expansion valve is screwed up.
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 19, 2015 1:42:00 GMT
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 19, 2015 2:31:20 GMT
Thanks! I'll download that and have a look. It's been running for more than 24 hours now. Adjustments to the valve cause noises to happen, but the evaporator still only gets cool to the touch (no frost).
I'm not hung up on keeping it original, though if it could be made to work again I'd rather do that than rebuild it with an entirely new system. I have a fairly extensive welding/machine shop, so I have many of the tools to do an overhaul. But I don't have the necessary refrigeration-specific equipment, the know-how or, more importantly, the time. It's something I'd like to learn about, but I've got too many other priorities right now.
I was quoted $1200-$1500 a few years ago by Antique Appliances to do a mechanical restoration on it. I believe they discard everything except the evaporator and build an entirely new Freon system.
I'll post some interior shots soon. I'm missing one rack, that fits on the right under the evaporator.
Thanks for all the replies.
Andy
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 19, 2015 11:19:22 GMT
I have one of those. Mine would cool a little bit but the expansion valve is screwed up. Travis, does your I unit have the original door gaskets? Mine were totally gone when I got the machine, so I don't know what they looked like. Mine is also missing some little corner trims that cover the inner corners of the door that it would be great to see pictures of. Thanks, Andy |
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 19, 2015 19:35:02 GMT
I'll have to start watching eBay and elsewhere for a copy of that book. Unless, of course, someone feels generous enough to scan the 33 pages of Coldspot information for me. I'd rather have my own copy anyway, as there's probably a lot more in it that I could learn from. Andy |
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Post by Travis on Aug 19, 2015 22:32:23 GMT
Andy,
I will try and take some pictures when I get the parts all together next week.
I doubt you need all 33 pages. Most of those are not likely relevant to your unit. Mine would run and frost a little. It had some so2 in it. I also put some r12 in it. My seal seems to be good. If anyone would like to take on this project, I could be talked out of it. The unit is currently empty. I have all that was in it in a tank.
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 24, 2015 19:55:21 GMT
Interior shot. Wish I had the one missing rack under the evaporator.  I definitely want to get this unit going someday, even if it ends up requiring a totally new system. Andy |
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 24, 2015 21:48:24 GMT
I saw this same unit and cabinet that Travis has yesterday. I would probably have brought it home with me if it would have fit in the wife's Blazer.
Travis, save it till 10/04 I want it.
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Post by Travis on Aug 24, 2015 22:07:15 GMT
Will do!
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Post by andyfitzgibbon on Aug 24, 2015 23:37:30 GMT
Travis, save it till 10/04 I want it. Want to rebuild two at once?  I can photocopy or scan what information I have. It's from a slightly newer model but the machine itself seems to be basically the same. Andy |
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