Jacobs 56 freezing up

[Robgirard64]

Thanks for the new member add.  I am lucky to have this original Jacobs 56.  It's original and in fantastic shape which is how I like it.  This is my 3rd original machine.  I have a vendo 44 and a vendorlator 27....very happy man.

The Jacobs works great...fends and cools...except it freezes.  When I got it the thermostat was set on 3.  It got cold...really cold...like 32 f...with a couple of water drips in the lower unit.  So I turned it to 1...and checked it in 20 min and the temperature was 22 f...way more water and the upper unit was visibly icing up.  So I unplugged the 56 and used paper towel to catch the water.

Question...what is the best way to start a test of the thermostat...start at "Off", run it for 10 minutes, move it to 1, then 2 etc.  Or should I start at 3 and go to 4, 5 etc. As the first test revealed going lower in numbers got colder.  Or should I just buy a new thermostat?  I think that is a waste because it is working...sort of.  Help!  Thanks

[Zerbie]

I can't help you with your problem. But wanted to say welcome and congrats on the Jacobs 56. They are a great machine. I got one back in 2016. Have fun with it!

[Robgirard64]

Thanks Zerbie...appreciate the welcome.  After more investigation and playing...I discovered that "Off" is actually not off...if I keep turning the dial...it goes to 7, then 6 and off seems to now be at 5.  When I turned it on and in 10 minute incrimates, the temperature went in 10 minutes to 40 deg, then in 10 more minutes to 30 deg, then 10 minutes went to 28.4 then next 10 minutes it was 24.8 deg, then the next 10 minutes it was 24.8 deg.  It seems to hold at 24.8 deg and gets no colder.  What is the optimimum compartment temperature.  Will product freeze at this temperature?  I should say that the 56 was empty during the test.  I am pleased that it isn't a run away temperature problem.

 Thoughts?  Thanks...Rob

[Jim]

Welcome Rob!

Sounds like you may have a faulty thermostat...

[MoonDawg]

        Have you re-positioned the capillary tube that comes off the thermostat?
It is acting like it is too far away from the evaporator.

[Robgirard64]

Thanks Jim...I am wondering the same.

[Robgirard64]

Thanks Glen, I checked the thermostat...the thermostat runs beside the evaporator and terminates in the lower cabinet where the pre cooled bottles would be stored.  Should the end be in the upper cabinet near or closer to the evaporator?  I can try that if that is what you mean.  Thanks everyone for reaching out...it’s appreciated...Rob

[MoonDawg]

  Should the end be in the upper cabinet near or closer to the evaporator? 

         The end should be making firm contact with the evaporator.

[Robgirard64]

Thanks Glen, I will try that...thanks for the tip.  Really appreciated.