OT - Vintage Refrigerator Worth Fixing?

GlennM

Hi
I have a very old fridge that was purchased new by my parents in the late 40’s or very early 50’s.  It has worked perfectly until the other day and it finally quit. I don’t hear any noise when I plug it in but the light inside still works.  I was considering taking the time to repair it and move it to the garage but I’m not sure how to proceed from here?  Any suggestions?  Around here the repair guys charge a fee to look at your repair and then basically just order new parts at great expense.  I don’t want to waste money on it and find there are no parts available.

lkapigian

If you've ever wanted a cold smoker , how's your chance...id snag it in a heartbeat and convert it ..it would be a beautiful Smokehouse 

It's certainly can still be used as a fridge but it's going to crap out on you when you need it most 

thetrim

Can you post a picture, please?

fishlessman

if i let mine thaw out too long defrosting i have to put a block of ice in the freezer section and plug it back in. it seems to jump start it. worth trying.

Kayak

Why bother? Modern ones use a lot less electricity. They'd have to go to a museum to find parts anyway. I'd convert it into something else or drag it to the curb and call the waste company.

fishlessman

Kayak said:

Why bother? Modern ones use a lot less electricity. They'd have to go to a museum to find parts anyway. I'd convert it into something else or drag it to the curb and call the waste company.

the modern ones last 10 years before replacing them, the old ones last a lifetime. my shop 1930's ge still has the original  shelving

ColtsFan

lkapigian said:

If you've ever wanted a cold smoker , how's your chance...id snag it in a heartbeat and convert it ..it would be a beautiful Smokehouse 

It's certainly can still be used as a fridge but it's going to crap out on you when you need it most 

This was my initial thought.

speed51133

in terms of a useful fridge, absolutely not. in terms of an antique and nostalgia, I suppose so.

pgprescott

Lots of people are converting them to smokers. Either offset firebox or pellet mostly. 

fishlessman

they make great beer fridges.  ive seen a few airbrushed for the cave

alaskanassasin

Your handle says you live in the bush. I would lay it on its back and use it for dry food storage out in a shed.  Here in Ohio our power company will buy your old freezer or refer for $50 and pick it up.

Battleborn

My dad has one that he bought and uses as a storage bin for his BGE stuff. Looks pretty darn good.

Edit for picture attachment.

TEXASBGE2018

I agree with others. Make something out of it if you can’t restore it. I’ve seen guys make toolboxes for their shop out of them. And I’ve also seen people add wheels and make movable pantry’s out of them.

JethroBodeen

Against the grain here... I'd fix it. The trouble you may run into is that the refrigerant used may be ammonia. If thats the case it makes it much harder. Even if its R12 it may cost a pretty good amount to get it working. Could be a fan motor or something more simple though.....

thetrim

I found this picture of a vintage dishwasher

alaskanassasin

@JethroBodeen if it wont power on refrigerant its not likely the problem. I agree though might be a simple fix

nolaegghead

If you fix the electrical problem and find it low on freon, Hot Shot 2 is an R12 substitute and it's compatible with mineral oil.

20stone

A curing chamber comes to mind, but it needs to run some for that. 

GlennM

Here’s a photo 

lkapigian

GlennM said:

Here’s a photo 

She’s a beaut Clark.....just take it, you’ll figure out what to do with it 

JethroBodeen

I would be fixing that for sure. Simple controls on that thing. Electrical issue wont be hard to narrow down....

CtTOPGUN

If you hear no noise at all I would think the culprit to be an open thermostat. Simple to test without a voltmeter. Just unplug fridge and connect wires from each side of t-stat together. If it runs when plugged in, you can find a t-stat that will work at a refrigeration store. Johnstone Supply. Grainger. Many others. If it has a slight humm and a light click intermittently it may be the starting relay on the compressor. There are universal 3 in 1 relays that can be used as replacements for near all relay/overload setups of any vintage.

GlennM

CtTOPGUN said:

If you hear no noise at all I would think the culprit to be an open thermostat. Simple to test without a voltmeter. Just unplug fridge and connect wires from each side of t-stat together. If it runs when plugged in, you can find a t-stat that will work at a refrigeration store. Johnstone Supply. Grainger. Many others. If it has a slight humm and a light click intermittently it may be the starting relay on the compressor. There are universal 3 in 1 relays that can be used as replacements for near all relay/overload setups of any vintage.

Thank you, that was the information I was hoping for. I hear no noise so I will try the thermostat first. I would love to clean up the paint and use this as a summer beer fridge for the garage !

fishlessman

with these it could be as simple as corrosion where the plug bolts on, i would start there. remember to jump start it with ice in the ice box, ive had to do that with a few different fridges. ive never had a fridge newer than the 1970's

Hotch

Could possibly be a start capacitor gone open?

thetrim

@lkapigian I think we should all chip in and buy your fridge for @lousubcap

GlennM

fishlessman said:

with these it could be as simple as corrosion where the plug bolts on, i would start there. remember to jump start it with ice in the ice box, ive had to do that with a few different fridges. ive never had a fridge newer than the 1970's

What is the reason for the ice?

fishlessman

GlennM said:

fishlessman said:

with these it could be as simple as corrosion where the plug bolts on, i would start there. remember to jump start it with ice in the ice box, ive had to do that with a few different fridges. ive never had a fridge newer than the 1970's

What is the reason for the ice?

seems to get things flowing in some fridges, i came about it by accident with a dead fridge and needing it to chill some beer. i put ice and beer in the freezer and the fridge started working again in a few hours. the fridge was shut down in a rental apartment for a month

lkapigian

fishlessman said:

GlennM said:

fishlessman said:

with these it could be as simple as corrosion where the plug bolts on, i would start there. remember to jump start it with ice in the ice box, ive had to do that with a few different fridges. ive never had a fridge newer than the 1970's

What is the reason for the ice?

seems to get things flowing in some fridges, i came about it by accident with a dead fridge and needing it to chill some beer. i put ice and beer in the freezer and the fridge started working again in a few hours. the fridge was shut down in a rental apartment for a month

^^^^^^^^^^This,let the ice do the heavy lifting and absorb some of the heat, gives extra capacity

JethroBodeen

alaskanassasin said:

@JethroBodeen if it wont power on refrigerant its not likely the problem. I agree though might be a simple fix

@alaskanassasin didn't read the no noise part just "should I fix it or not".

GaryLange

I would fix it just to have something to remember my parents with! Every time you look at it you'll remember your Mom or Dad opening it to get something!