happymachinist
Well-known member
I picked this old girl up a few months ago for $50.00. Was told it worked. It runs but appears to be low on refrigerant. I have buddy in HVAC and claims it won't be too hard to top it off.
Vintage Refrigerators
- Thread starter softailgarage
- Start date
I picked this old girl up a few months ago for $50.00. Was told it worked. It runs but appears to be low on refrigerant. I have buddy in HVAC and claims it won't be too hard to top it off.
Speed Farm
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2012
- Messages
- 28
kind of an old thread, but i just picked up a servel electrolux gas fridge. With some tinkering I got it to fire up and it works great.
What I don't know is what "normal" venting for it should be. It has a very mild gassy smell. (I leak tested it and it is fine) it just seems to put off a mild odor. Is that common for these or does anyone vent them like you would a dryer, gas stove, etc?
What I don't know is what "normal" venting for it should be. It has a very mild gassy smell. (I leak tested it and it is fine) it just seems to put off a mild odor. Is that common for these or does anyone vent them like you would a dryer, gas stove, etc?
Attachments
redmondjp
Well-known member
Check out this website:
http://www.servelrefrigerators.com/gas-refrigerator-venting.html
I doubt yours is new enough to even have provisions for venting - back in the day, old houses were so leaky that there was plenty of fresh air getting in so it wasn't nearly as much of a concern as it is these days. But looking at the diagram at the referenced link above, you could fashion a fresh air intake along the lines of what is shown which would probably do the trick and vent a majority of the combustion products outside.
And as always, with any gas-burning appliances of any type located inside the living space, you should have not only carbon monoxide detectors, but combustible gas detectors as well. They are not that expensive and can be found online. For natural gas (lighter than air), you install the detector high up on the wall, and for propane (heavier than air), you install the sensor close to the floor.
Last edited:
Speed Farm
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2012
- Messages
- 28
thanks for the link on venting... this fridge does have a grate on top with a flu, but I was thinking it would be wise to do something very similar to the diagram
I was debating on taking it up to http://www.mainegasrefrigerator.com/ to have it serviced, I am not sure what that would entail and if it is worth the 8 hours of driving time. It seems to work fine...
Any advice on why I would want it serviced or what would be beneficial about that process?
I was debating on taking it up to http://www.mainegasrefrigerator.com/ to have it serviced, I am not sure what that would entail and if it is worth the 8 hours of driving time. It seems to work fine...
Any advice on why I would want it serviced or what would be beneficial about that process?
aczr2k
Well-known member
Where can you get new door gaskets? My buddy has a IH one for the beer fridge in the shop.
destructo
Member
Ragtopfan
Member
Resurrection of an old thread...
I have two vintage 'Fridges'. One is a 1941 GE Deluxe that has been in my family since I was born. It moved with us several times as a kid as that is what you did in those days. I ended up with it when I bought my first house from my folks. It installed a new relay about 5 years ago as the original failed and the compressor began short cycling which would have killed it in no time. I was going to leave at the house we sold in 2020 when we moved but the new owners declined so it got moved one final time and resides next to our 2020 Freezer.
The second unit is a 1950 or so Frigidaire identical to the one earlier in this thread. It is used in my garage in the summer months for beer, pop and water. It has a thermostat set at the 'warmest' setting and darn near freezes beer. Not complaining as it is perfect at the temp it runs and I never try to adjust it at all.
Some years ago I checked out a energy usage monitor from the local library to determine the energy use of my major appliances as I was told how inefficient these old refrigerators were. I was surprised and happy to realize that the cost of running the old GE was $1.54/month at 8 cents a Kw (this was a few years ago) whereas our new 'Energy Star' rated fridge was over $4/month. That said, our main fridge clearly got opened a lot more, had an ice maker and also ran an automatic defrost cycle so it was not exactly an even comparison
I have two vintage 'Fridges'. One is a 1941 GE Deluxe that has been in my family since I was born. It moved with us several times as a kid as that is what you did in those days. I ended up with it when I bought my first house from my folks. It installed a new relay about 5 years ago as the original failed and the compressor began short cycling which would have killed it in no time. I was going to leave at the house we sold in 2020 when we moved but the new owners declined so it got moved one final time and resides next to our 2020 Freezer.
The second unit is a 1950 or so Frigidaire identical to the one earlier in this thread. It is used in my garage in the summer months for beer, pop and water. It has a thermostat set at the 'warmest' setting and darn near freezes beer. Not complaining as it is perfect at the temp it runs and I never try to adjust it at all.
Some years ago I checked out a energy usage monitor from the local library to determine the energy use of my major appliances as I was told how inefficient these old refrigerators were. I was surprised and happy to realize that the cost of running the old GE was $1.54/month at 8 cents a Kw (this was a few years ago) whereas our new 'Energy Star' rated fridge was over $4/month. That said, our main fridge clearly got opened a lot more, had an ice maker and also ran an automatic defrost cycle so it was not exactly an even comparison
Attachments
![IMG_1141[1].JPG](/forum/data/attachments/1544/1544505-862ce89dec5bb6120046a46d71fb08ba.jpg)
![IMG_1142[1].JPG](/forum/data/attachments/1544/1544507-644438c59922bbce68398cd7f963aced.jpg)
I have a 1934 GE monitor top. It uses the methyl formate for refrigerant. It does need to have non condensibles purged from the circuit every few years. It runs in a vacuum so the refrigerant doesn't leak out but air could leak in. The engineers of the day knew this and put a purge port on the top of the round condenser top section. I have looked for a operational model for a while and found this after I stopped looking. Works very nice, keeps beers and refreshments icy cold. It also is pretty small so there isn't much empty space in it and it takes up less room than an apartment sized fridge. Uses so little power that we can't notice it on the monthly bill.
I also have a 1949 Westinghouse that works well too in my attached garage. Wife uses it for overflow from the house and I store water and pop for work in it.
I also have a 1949 Westinghouse that works well too in my attached garage. Wife uses it for overflow from the house and I store water and pop for work in it.
Attachments
nadogail
Well-known member
It's not the high prices for old stuff that are on Crack. It is the Crackheads who pay out the nose for a "Vintage" P.O.S. just because it is "Cool"
Lol!
I was looking for a fridge for the detached shop. $150+ for a ****** disposable one from Wally world or Home Depot really didn't fit the bill. The old GE did though for $75 in working condition! I happen to be a licensed refrigeration mechanic and figured I can repair it if needed. If I wasn't I probably wouldn't even consider an old fridge and definitely not the overpriced stuff you see out there!
bigdav160
Well-known member
This one is not mine but I have a '39 GE that I picked up off CL.
