Ge wet cooler wiring

[BryanH]

I'm working on getting the GE wet cooler working.  I bought this machine unassembled so I have no reference for putting some of the pieces back together...  The machine's cooling system is old - I'm told it's from the 1940's.  It's an electric motor that turns a pulley that works the refrigeration pump that circulates the coolant through the coils and condenser.  The electrical system is therefore very simple... the cord, the motor and the thermostat. I'd ask for corrections or agreement on the following:

- I'm assuming that the thermostat is wired in series?
- Should the thermostat be wired on the hot side of the circuit?
- Are thermostat's polarized (Is there a positive & negative terminal)?
- The cord that was on the machine was not a grounded plug.  Would it make sense to replace with a grounded plug and connect the ground wire to the machine body?

The motor has 4 poles marked L1, L2, 3 & 4.  L1 & L2 have wires connected to them that go inside the motor casing.  3 & 4 have no connections that can be seen.  I tested for continuity and L1 + L2 was the only closed connection.  So I tried connecting the power to L1 & L2.  The motor worked '> with no sparks '>.  I then reversed the power conections and the motor still worked and in the same direction.  I have no experience with electrical motors but this surprised me as I would have expected that change in polarity to make the motor spin in a reverse directions?  Does this make sense?

[bubba]

On single phase AC electric, polarity for the most part does not matter. It will not change rotation on a motor. If an single phase motor is reversable, there will be a wire inside the motor to change.

As far as the thermostat goes, my guess is to break the hot side and I think it should be in series.

I am just following general electrical principles and have no knowledge of the machine or system you are working on.

[BryanH]

Thanks Ken - I was also working from general electrical principles only, except the basis of my understanding was in question.  

What about adding a three prong grounded plug instead of the original two prong?  If I attach the ground wire to the metal frame that holds the motor & pump will that work?

Anyone have any ideas what the other two terminals on the motor might be used for?

[bubba]

Bryan
You can attach the ground wire to any metal surface in the machine. If the motor is mounted on rubber feet, make sure you have the ground on the metal part of the machine.

Looking at that motor picture again--- does that compressor have any type of bypass valve for start and stop or does the compressor run all the time?  I'm not sure what pressures those systems run at, but if it shuts down under pressure, it may have a hard time restarting. An air compressor when it shuts down at pressure, it unloads the top of the cylinder so it can restart. I would imagine there must be something similar on this system.

[BryanH]

I'm not sure if there is a bypass but I don't believe the compressor would run all the time. The compressor only turns when the motor is running and the motor does have a thermostat which would interrupt continuous running of the motor.

I believe the cooling system is a closed mechanical system.  The electric motor is connected to the compressor through a v-belt.  When the crank on the compressor is turned it circulates the the coolant through coiling coils that sit in the bath and then through the condensor and back to the compressor. The cooling coils connect at the taps circled in red.  There also appears to be another tap / cap (circled in green). I have no idea whether or not that one is a cap (maybe for recharging?) or a connector to something else??

Also noted that the tag on the compressor mentions refrigerant type but no mention of pressure.

[johnieG]

Quote (BryanH @ Jan. 09 2006,4:34)

I'm not sure if there is a bypass but I don't believe the compressor would run all the time. The compressor only turns when the motor is running and the motor does have a thermostat which would interrupt continuous running of the motor. I believe the cooling system is a closed mechanical system.  The electric motor is connected to the compressor through a v-belt.  When the crank on the compressor is turned it circulates the the coolant through coiling coils that sit in the bath and then through the condensor and back to the compressor. The cooling coils connect at the taps circled in red.  There also appears to be another tap / cap (circled in green). I have no idea whether or not that one is a cap (maybe for recharging?) or a connector to something else?? Also noted that the tag on the compressor mentions refrigerant type but no mention of pressure.

BryanH, I belive if you peek under the flare cap (green circle) you'll find a schader valve for pressure checking, but it may be on the "high" side. (high-pressure side)..the GE wet cooler I sold didn't have this fitting, it  had the two flare fittings, each with a service valve on it, with the lines going up to the evaporator coils in the tank, & the expansion valve (no capillary tube) the guy I sold it to isn't that far away, so if you need some reference pictures I may be able to stop by his shop & snap a few, (his/mine is fully assembled/original & in working condition, all it needed was the line cord replaced, a new belt, & thermostat...these are nice coolers with loads of embossing! I was going to keep it, but he's a "Pepsi" nut & had to have it! I got a Squirt slider, & a Coke V63 in trade along with some $$$...couldn't past up the deal. :'>

[BryanH]

Johnie - thanks for the info.  I'll check it the next day or two.  If you get a chance to take some pics, and it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience, I'd be extremely grateful.  The more the better as I bought mine as a big 'ol bag of parts.

[Jim]

Bryan,

While I was looking for part numbers referencing a style star marquee, I looked to see what I may have for refrigeration units. I don't have any info on GE and didn't find anything similar to your system in the other manufacturers, Frigidaire, Tecumseh or Westinghouse...
I'm not sure what the connections 3 & 4 are utilized for...
Sorry I couldn't be more help on this one...

[BryanH]

Thanks for looking Jim... I get the feeling that this cooler is a wee bit on the rare side.

Johnny, if you are able to get some pics of your old one, could you alse check to see if it has a similar motor and if anything is wired to the other terminals?