compressor temperature

[ScottI2R]

Hi all,
I have an old kegerator (vintage 1950-55) that is not cooling as well as it used to. It cannot cool below about 52F with an ambient temp of 87F. I noticed a lot of ice surrounding the little copper tube yesterday so I unplugged and defrosted the unit. After defrost, the inside temp was about 108F. I then turned the unit back on and the temp got down to 70-73F in about two hours. The coils on the back are very clean and they do not get hot at all. The compressor seems to be very hot. Like about 130F as best as I could tell. Is this too hot? If so, can anyone give me a clue as to what the trouble could be? Possibly just low R-12?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you,
Scott


In a hundred years, it isn't going to matter anyway.

 

[imok2]

Sounds like a short charge. The average temperature conditions for an R-12 refrigerator in the freezer is between 0'F and 15'F. The start of the cycle for R-12 is 12# suction pressure and end of cycle is 4#

 

[quark]

Check liquid line filter. If you observe frosting after this, it is right time to replace it. Frosting on the suction side of the compressor indicates shortage of gas.
Atleast, the top row of the condenser coil should be hot.

If you can shrug off nostalgia, replace it

Regards,

 

[ScottI2R]

Thank you both for the timely response. I am going to have someone look at it and probably recharge it if they do not find anything $eriously wrong with it. Quark, I love the idea of a new one but this is worth at least checking out because it was my Uncle's and I got it after he passed away.

Thanks again,
Scott

In a hundred years, it isn't going to matter anyway.

 

[pennpoint]

ScottI2R
By all means if the cabinet, door seals and interior are in good shape, you should keep it and refurbish. A competent refrigeration tech could replace the compressor, filter/drier, resize the capillary tube and recharge the system with 134a if necessary. $200 +/-.
But as "imok2" and "quark" have stated it may be just low on charge and or plugged filter/drier.
Love that keg Beer.

Good Luck
pennpoint

 

[quark]

I am sorry, I shouldn't have said it.