‘52 Crosley compressor T/S

[MeatWrench]

Got a ‘52 shelvador. All original except rewired with 14 ga. It ran before I rewired it but it has been jostled around a good bit as I refinished the exterior and cleaned it up. I plug it in and the start windings run the compressor for about 2 sec then the relay clicks and nothing. Lesser clicks occurs every few seconds while power remains applied. Ohm thru the compressor yields very very low resistance. 0.3 ohm from both the start and run windings. Those values seem nonsensical to me. No short to ground. I have jumped out the thermostat and get the same results. I don’t know if the click is the overload circuit or if it is the PTC relay going from start to run. Any ideas before I pursue replacing the entire system? Should I have used 18 ga wiring? Could a poor wiring termination (I used ring terminals) be the cause?

Part B. Any words of wisdom as far as replacing the compressor etc goes?

 

[Dan O.]

Ohm thru the compressor yields very very low resistance. 0.3 ohm from both the start and run windings. Those values seem nonsensical to me.

Me too. Are you testing with all components unplugged from the compressor? Each winding should also be different resistances, usually between 1 and 22 ohms. The start winding should have higher resistance than the run winding.

I don’t know if the click is the overload circuit or if it is the PTC relay going from start to run.

That old of product would not use a PTC relay unless someone installed it as a replacement. The original would use a mechanical current relay. Those relays need to be mounted right side up BTW. If the relay mounts directly onto the compressor terminals, that shouldn't be an issue.

I don't know if this will help.

LINK > ACME: How To Test the Compressor Relay

When it clicks and then goes dead, that will likely be the overload cutting out. The other clicking might be the replay operating or just the overload resetting again after cutting out.

Should I have used 18 ga wiring?

Oversized wiring would not cause a problem.

Could a poor wiring termination (I used ring terminals) be the cause?

As long as they are on properly and connect onto a screw terminal, I can't see how they'd be the problem.

Any words of wisdom as far as replacing the compressor etc goes?

Do you have any experience with refrigeration sealed system repairs? Do you have refrigeration tools?

Dan O.

 

[rickgburton]

Ohm thru the compressor yields very very low resistance. 0.3 ohm from both the start and run windings.

Start windings should be 3-11 ohms. Run windings. 1-5 ohms. A "52" Crosley most likely used a hotwire relay unless it's been changed to a solid state device. Jostling it around shouldn't damage the compressor. They were built pretty tough back then. If it was working before you rewired it and that was all that was done I would check your wiring. You might have it miswired.

 

[MeatWrench]

Thanks. I’ll try the link tomorrow. I don’t have much time during the week for this type stuff so sorry for the late reply.

 

[MeatWrench]

If I posted some pictures of the relay would that help identify it? What is the hot wire relay comprised of?

 

[MeatWrench]

Well. I left work early today motivated to get this thing moving and broke open the relay. I tried to play nice but eventually figured that broke is broke and if I have to gut the whole thing, the relay is goin with it. I manipulated the contacts manually a few times and cleaned up the contacts. Voila. Compressor is humming away. I still cannot explain the incredibly low resistance in the compressor coils. Oh well. I'm not gonna ask any questions as long as my beer stays cold. Maybe I need a new meter...

Thanks for the replies at any rate. This seems like a really good resource for people trying to keep some actual pieces of mid-century America alive.

 

[rickgburton]

Glad we could help! Happy Holidays!