As the self-proclaimed "last Servel repairman," Gauthier repair more than 200 Servel refrigerators annually, most of post world War II vintage but also a few made as early as the 1930s. Most are shipped by freight to Gauthier's business here. Many come from remote areas where electricity is not readily available. Manufactured to operate from natural gas, most have been converted to run on propane.
The cooling technology is rather basic. Gas is burned to heat a refrigerant -- consisting of water, ammonia and hydrogen gas -- inside the product's sealed system. As the ammonia evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings and is expelled elsewhere in the system when it is condensed back into a liquid.
The most common repairs involve clogs in refrigerant lines, which are corrected by opening the lines to rod out the blockage. After the lines are cleared, Gauthier recharges the system with fresh home-made refrigerant produced in accord with the original Servel formula.
Another common problem results from misadjusted burners, which occur when owners attempt to make the product run better.
Parts are required in some repairs, Gauthier says. Most frequently needed are burners, door gaskets, turbolators and door handles. Some are sourced from products that are beyond repair; others are made to order. Gauthier provides a replacement burner with a modern thermocouple that enables faster initial ignition that the original part.
Demand for Gauthier's expertise has not ebbed despite the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission decision in 1991 that all Servel gas refrigerators should be retired. That ruling was based on reports that carbon monoxide emitted by faulty units had caused the deaths of 20 people since 1980. The recall is conducted by the Servel Action Committee, which is supported by Gould Electronics, a medical equipment producer that acquired the Servel liability from a company it absorbed in 1969. The committee offers a $100 bounty and reasonable disposal cost to persons who phone its toll-free contact: 800-782-7431.
Gauthier has restored Servel gas refrigerators almost since he relocated to Burlington, Maine for the hunting and fishing. A machinist by trade, he initially opened an automobile repair shop. But requests for Servel repairs from area residents eventually moved the business into appliance repair. The switch became final in 1986 when he converted his business into Maine Gas and Refrigeration.
Gauthier also sells new gas refrigerators -- Consul brand models made by Multibras S.A. of Brazil. However, many customers prefer the larger Servels of 12 cu. ft.; the biggest Consul model is 8.5 cu. ft.
The business also sells and services other gas-fired equipment, including furnaces, and campground cookers, heaters and lamps.
Gauthier will sell Servel repair manuals and parts to service professionals. To obtain a catalog, write: Maine Gas and Refrigeration, Dept. ASN, P. O. Box 483, Sibley Road, Burlington, Maine 04417.
Servel gas refrigerators were made by Evansville, IN-based Servel Refrigerator Co., which are marketed by Elkhart, In-based Dometic Corp., have no connection with the early manufacturer.