What have i bought? ge cooling system?

[BryanH]

Anybody seen something like this?  It's from a GE beverage cooler that I just picked up.  The machine was apparently working before the seller tore it apart in anticipation of refinishing (didn't happen '>).  The compressor and motor both have GE id tags on them.  

I have no idea what refrigerant was used in the system?  

The red circles mark the connection points into the cooling coils.  

Any info or pointers you have would be appreciated

[BryanH]

Here are the id tags...  The first is from the machine but includes the pressure settings for the refrigeration system.  Second is from the compressor.

[BryanH]

Last pics... of the coiling coils (this is a water cooler)

[johnieG]

Ah!, so you're the lucky duck who got this one!, the compressor deck is as you see it, a belt-driven, (mechanical compressor) it used good old R12, 1.625lbs of it according to the tag shown, (kaa-ching $$$) but don't worry you can use R134a with a suitable oil conditioner (the original mineral oil in the system isn't compatable with R134a, however, if it were mine I'd probably convert it using Hot-Shot, or Freeze12. your refrigeration guy should have a suitable substitute, as with any open system, he/you should flush it out, & inspect it for leaks/seals (on the shaft of the pully) etc.

the top fitting is the 3/8"flare outlet/hi-pressure port & the bottom one should be the 3/8" flare suction port (inlet), but again, your refridg' guy will know more upon inspection, actually it's an easy system to work on.

I had a GE chest. but I've traded it. same setup as this one, but mine used chilled water-bath with a recirculating pump to keep the bottles cold. yours looks like a dry-type, but some early chests could goe wet or dry. look for a water-mark about 4-6" above the bottom of the tank.

hope this helps you out some...JohnieG

[BryanH]

John - Thanks for the tips on the refrigeration.  I'll look up Hot-Shot and Freeze12 to see what they say... I don't have any experience with refrigeration or tools, gauges, etc so I'll have to find somebody willing to take a look at it.  Any idea what the knob at the top of the coils does?  When installed it's on the inside of the tub, and I think there is a shroud that protects it from bumps & bangs.

I'm pretty sure that it was a water chilled as the seller said it was and the chest has water lines and a drain plug.  But no recirculating pump in the parts that I rec'd and with my cursorary look I don't see where would would go.  Could it be wet without a pump?

Were you watching this one on eBay also?  I was pretty happy that I won. I figured that even if I can't get the refrigeration working, I'd convert it to an ice chest.  I think I may work on it next (rather than my VMC77).

[BryanH]

Ping - JohnieG or others?

[johnieG]

Yes, some early wet/dry chests didn't have a water pump. The Knob is attached to the expansion valve assembly, it's an adjustment to control how cold the water will get, (you don't want to freeze the bottles in a sheet of ice!) considering I don't see a thermostat control anywere! The coils perform the same function as an evaporator coil, instead of chilling the air, it's chilling water, your chest most likely was a wet type chest cooler though, the majority of water cooled chest (wet type), even early versions, have water circulating pumps, what yours is probably missing is a perforated bottom tray that sit over the top of these coils, to set the bottles on. this chest is looking more and more like a wet type, but with the adjustable expansion valve, you could run it dry (convection cooled)...I luv these old mechanical coolers, always interesting engineering!  '>

[BryanH]

Thx John - The unit does have a tstat.  It appears to mount outside the unit in the compressor space. It has a line that runs to bulb'ed end that must sit in the water.  Does it make sense that it would have both a tstat and expansion bulb.  

Also has what appears to be some kind of overload reset.

You're right that it's missing the bottom tray... once I get it put back together, it should be relatively easy to have something fabbed.

One more neat thing... as best I can tell there isn't a scrap of insulation.  Appears to be hardware frame with a galvanized liner!

[BryanH]

Closer pic of the expansion bulb.  The rubber part, a handle or grip I guess, is decaying.

[bcharlton]

My GE Double uses the same "chiller" system.  Mine is approx twice as big due to the size of the cooler.  I elected not to restore it as the original chiller becasue I did not want to leave 250 gallons of water in it all the time..  I am converting 1/4 of it as a freezer (for the ice cream) in my malt shop.  My Bastian Blessing soda fountain is a refrigertation system only.  I need a freezer for my malt shop and love the idea of using my 1946 GE cooler  as a freezer.  I will send pictures when I'm done.  
Pictures do not do justice of this cooler.  The colors are awesome.

Brian C

[bcharlton]

Also,
I gave Allan Huffamn the condesor deck on my GE cooler.  He would have pictures of it if anyone to see them.

Brian

[MoonDawg]

Interesting, how could a cooler be turned into a freezer? Fan forced cooling still?   No frost buildup?

[bcharlton]

Glen:
If you look at the pictures there are 4 covers on top.  I will dedicate 25% or 1 cover to be my freezer.  I will insulate it separately and will have its own condesere deck.  I could use any help in the design as I know almost nothing about refrigeration systems.  I was thinking of converting one of my original decks to "freeze".  I think it would take more then a different thermastat to convert.  If anyone has some ideas, please let me know.

Brian C

[cvb141]

It would need a low temp compressor with matching evaporator coil and expansion valve, different t-stat, and some kind of defrosting. As in defrost heaters and time clock, etc, to keep coil clear from ice build-up. Also some kind of heater in the door frame to prevent it from freezing the gaskets to the box. Would be an interesting challenge. You have a nice looking piece of equipment.
Jerry