Specifications

Details

SpecificationDetails
ModelAF-820AA16
SerialH1-244-740
Refrigerant Content10.5 oz Freon-12
Test Pressure150 lb Low Side
Motor

1/8 HP 115V


Temperature 

Temperature by Dial Position:

PositionTemperature (F)Temperature (C)
142+5.6
535+1.7
928-2.2



Pictures

Cabinet


Compressor

 

Start Relay


Wiring Diagrams


Insulating

I used spray foam and insulated the sides and the door. I did not insulated the back of the fridge since access seemed difficult. A 30" Foam Dispensing Gun was used in order to get to the very back from the front access.


 

The following graph shows the temperature of the fridge compared to room temperature. We can see that the fridge temperature is greatly effected by the room temperature. 


Adding insulation did not seem to help us reach our desired temperature. The green line represents the fridge temperature. The blue line represents the ambient temperature outside the fridge. Adding freon may be our only hope.

Adding Freon

Tools Required

  • Imperial Eastman 182-f to 289-f service valve kit for hermetic sealed units
  • Freon 12
  • R12 Refrigerant Charging Hose

Adding Freon



With the fridge not running


With the fridge running


Added freon until running pressure was about 2 lb PSI.

After Adding Freon


Adding freon did the trick. The fridge is working perfectly now!


Temperature by Dial Position:

PositionMin Temperature (C)
1
2
3
4
5
6~3.0 (Room Temp 25C)
7
8
9

Custom Thermostat

Parts

The following parts were used:

PartImage

Sonoff Dual R2

DS18B20 Temperature Sensor


4.7k ohm resistor


Wiring




Installation



Cost Calculations

Our Fridge

SpecificationValue
Voltage120 V
Current2.16 A
Power108 w
Apparent Power260 VA
Reactive Power237 VAr
Power Factor0.41


Average Cost/kw: $0.18

 

Day Cost Calculation:

0.108 kw x $0.18/kw * 24h = $0.35


ConditionDaily kWhDaily CostMonthly kWhMonthly CostYearly kWhYearly Cost
Monthly Cost (Running 100%)2.60$0.4778.0$14.04936$168.48
Monthly Cost (Running 70%)1.82$0.3354.6$9.83655$117.90



Actual Costs (Using Power Meter)

ConditionDaily kWhDaily CostMonthly kWhMonthly CostYearly kWhYearly Cost
June 14, 2019 (Running ~70%)1.7$0.3151$9.18612$110.16
June 15, 2019 (Running ~60%)1.57$0.2847.1$8.48565$101.70


Mancave 1950s Beer Fridge Restoration 


From Mancave 1950s Beer Fridge Restoration video (See link below), the owner had the following power consumption:

DetailValue
Ambient Temperature69F
Fridge Temperature35F
Power Consumption over 24h0.71kWh
Annual Power Consumption Estimate259 kWh

 

Fridge Power Consumption by Year 

Base on 18 c.f. fridge:


YearConsumption
<19761800 kWh
1976-861400 kWh
1987-89950 kWh
1990-92900 kWh
1993-00700 kWh
2001+ 500 kwH
Energy Star 2001-04

450 kWh (10% better than 2001+)

Energy Star 2004-08425 kWh (15% better than 2001+)
Energy Star 2008-10400 kWh (20% better than 2001+)
CEE Tier 3350 kWh (30% better than 2001+)


References

ReferenceURL
Service Manual
Video: Fridge Access Port
Video: How to Add Freon To Your Refrigerator 134ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd8KZNnhTEs
How much electricity does my refrigerator use?https://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/refrigerators.html
Mancave 1950s Beer Fridge Restoration Complete! 2 of 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHumm7VDcsY
Forum - Other Vintage Refrigerators Other Vintage Refrigeratorshttps://monitortop.freeforums.net/board/13/vintage-refrigators