Ideal 55 Was cooling just fine, now suddenly not cooling.

[SLIDER]

I kind of expected this to happen. Last night frosty cold, turned on, and off fine by itself so figured t-stat was fine, and all was good. plugged in tonight Fan running, but no cooling. Has done this 2 times before, but then suddenly would work fine??     Suggestions on where to start my new found soda gods???

Compressor is original. Tag as follows:

Chieftan Ser.5L015930
Model P91L
1/8 HP
? Pressure 195
refrig 8oz
BM 2900?1
60 cycle
2-2 amps
115 volts

[collecture]

 

Is Cheiftain the manufacturer of your compressor?

[MoonDawg]

      My first effort would be to check the compressor wires.

[SLIDER]

Yes Chieftan is the compressor manufacturer. 

[kbareit]

Verify there is voltage to the t-stat then read across the terminals, it should read 0 volts if calling for cooling, if your reading line voltage the t-stat is bad.
If the t-stat checks good test for voltage at the compressor. On the relay there should be a M terminal on the relay place one lead there and one on the terminal entering the overload, if you read voltage there test across the overload, if you read 0 volts the overload is good if you read line voltage the overload is bad. If overload checks out good it could be the relay and capacitor. If it is either the relay, capacitor or overload I recommend replacing all three. If you need any help contact me and I'll talk you through it.

                                                                                                    Ken

[SLIDER]

Plugged the darn thing in tonight, turned it on.......Got frosty cold, worked fine?       going to try the above testing tomorrow.

[johnieG]

Not surprising, the machines probably over 50 years old...so either you have a weak start/run relay, (replace with a 3-in-1 starter/booster) or water in the system causing the Cap' tube to plug (minor leak) or the compressors starting to show it's age & it's drawing too much current & tripping the overload device on the side of the compressor. (use a 3-in-1 starter/booster)

[SLIDER]

Johnie what is a 3 in 1 starter booster? What does it do? Where does it go?
Where do I get one? How much?  Today I am replacing all the power cords on the machine.
When this thing is working it gets REAL cold and frosty when you turn the t stat way up.
So if it had a small leak wouldn't something this old be empty of freon by now? I'm just trying to understand
With my automotive AC mind?  Other questions I have. Any particular paint to use on the condenser so as not to disturb its cooling properties? Also what paint to use on the inside tub and slider assembly?  Man restoring gas pumps is much easier, but they don't give ya a bottle of pop!

[MaineT]

Johnie what is a 3 in 1 starter booster? What does it do? Where does it go?
Where do I get one? How much?  Today I am replacing all the power cords on the machine.
When this thing is working it gets REAL cold and frosty when you turn the t stat way up.
So if it had a small leak wouldn't something this old be empty of freon by now? I'm just trying to understand
With my automotive AC mind?  Other questions I have. Any particular paint to use on the condenser so as not to disturb its cooling properties? Also what paint to use on the inside tub and slider assembly?  Man restoring gas pumps is much easier, but they don't give ya a bottle of pop!

That's a lot of questions in a small space. There is a lot of information in this board, it may help by reading some older threads and ask for more pointed advise with the refrigeration questions.

[SLIDER]

Well..... OK then.....Thanks.