GE HPS15BTHR How to use

GE Appliances & Lighting
General Electric Company
Louisville, Kentucky 40225 31-9237
Top Freezer Refrigerator
GE Appliances & Lighting
HPS15BTHR
HPE15BTH
GTS15CTHR
GTE15CTHR
GPE16DTH
GIE16DGH
GTE16DTH
GTS16DTH
GTS16GTH
GTE16GTH
GTE16GSH
GTS16GSH
GIE16GSH
Technical Service Guide
November 2014
HPS18BTH
GIE18HGH
GIE18HSH
GIE18GCH
GIE18GSH
GTE18LGH
GTE18LSH
GTE18LMH
GTE18GSH
GTE18GMH
GTE18GTH
GTE18CTH
GTS18GSH
GTS18GTH

– 2 –
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The information in this service guide is intended for use by
individuals possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic, and mechanical experience. Any attempt to repair a
major appliance may result in personal injury and property
damage. The manufacturer or seller cannot be responsible for the
interpretation of this information, nor can it assume any liability in
connection with its use.
WARNING
To avoid personal injury, disconnect power before servicing
this product. If electrical power is required for diagnosis or test
purposes, disconnect the power immediately after performing the
necessary checks.
RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING DEVICES
If grounding wires, screws, straps, clips, nuts, or washers used to
complete a path to ground are removed for service, they must be
returned to their original position and properly fastened.
GE Appliances & Lighting
Technical Service Guide
Copyright © 2014
All rights reserved. This service guide may not be reproduced in whole or in part
in any form without written permission from the General Electric Company.

– 3 –
Table of Contents
(Continued next page)
Safety Requirements....................................................................................................................................................5
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Key Features and Updates........................................................................................................................................6
Nomenclature..................................................................................................................................................................7
Product Specications.................................................................................................................................................8
Use & Care Manuals and Mini Manuals...............................................................................................................12
Refrigeration and Airow Diagram........................................................................................................................12
Installation Instructions ..............................................................................................................................................13
Product Specications.................................................................................................................................................15
Structure ............................................................................................................................................................................16
Control Panel.................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Fresh Food Compartment Air Ducts and Drain Tube.................................................................................... 20
Control Panel.................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Cold Control...................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Electro-Mechanical Defrost Control......................................................................................................................24
Defrost Controls..............................................................................................................................................................25
Defrost Control Operations .......................................................................................................................................26
Adaptive Defrost.............................................................................................................................................................27
Electronic Defrost Control (EDC)..............................................................................................................................28
EDC Process Flow Chart..............................................................................................................................................29
EDC Cooling ......................................................................................................................................................................30
EDC Defrost....................................................................................................................................................................... 31
EDC Dwell .......................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Freezer Components.................................................................................................................................................... 33
Ice Maker Troubleshooting Chart...........................................................................................................................35
Freezer Components.................................................................................................................................................... 36
Evaporator Fan Motor..................................................................................................................................................37
Freezer Components.................................................................................................................................................... 38
Freezer Section Defrost System..............................................................................................................................39
Defrost Circuit..................................................................................................................................................................42

– 4 –
Machine Compartment...............................................................................................................................................43
Machine Compartment Components .................................................................................................................. 44
Sealed System................................................................................................................................................................. 49
Sealed System - Evaporator .....................................................................................................................................50
Sealed System - Evaporator .....................................................................................................................................51
DPO Evaporator / LokRing Installation ................................................................................................................ 52
Sealed System - Heat Exchanger...........................................................................................................................55
Sealed System - Compressor ...................................................................................................................................56
Sealed System - Condenser......................................................................................................................................57
Sealed System - Dryer ................................................................................................................................................. 58
Sealed System Brazed Joints ...................................................................................................................................59
Top Mount Electronic Defrost................................................................................................................................... 60
Top Mount Electronic Defrost................................................................................................................................... 61
Top Mount Mechanical Timer ...................................................................................................................................62
Top Mount Mechanical Timer ...................................................................................................................................63
Warranty............................................................................................................................................................................ 64

– 5 –
Safety Requirements
GE Factory Service Employees are required to use safety glasses with side shields, safety gloves and
steel toe shoes for all repairs.
Steel Toed Work Boot Electrically Rated Glove and
Dyneema® Cut Resistant
Glove Keeper
Dyneema®Cut Resistant
Glove
Plano Type Safety Glasses
Prescription Safety Glasses
Safety Glasses must be ANSI
Z87.1-2003 compliant
Brazing Glasses
Cut Resistant Sleeve(s)
Prior to disassembly of the top freezer refrigerator to access
components, GE Factory Service technicians are REQUIRED to follow
the Lockout / Tagout (LOTO) 6 Step Process:
Step 1
Plan and Prepare
Step 4
Apply LOTO device and lock
Step 2
Shut down the appliance
Step 5
Control (discharge) stored energy
Step 3
Isolate the appliance
Step 6
“Try It” verify that the appliance is
locked out

– 6 –
General Electric introduces its new line of energy ecient 15’, 16’, and 18’ cu. Ft. 28” wide top freezers. The
new top freezers were designed to meet the 2014 energy regulatory requirements. Along with meeting the
new energy requirements, it has new appearance features such as , new designer door handles, GE badge
and round doors that create an attractive external appearance. The interior has a Redesigned control
housing, Z-style fresh food shelves (on some models), 8% larger vegetable pans and a 2 position freezer
shelf. A newly designs air tower improves run time and air ow. The new ice maker location and redesigned
ice bucket helps to reduce ice spillage.
• GE’s simplest door reversal ever
• Newly designed condenser (moved from bottom of fridge to rear behind access cover)
• Front serviceable Cold Control, Defrost Control and Freezer components
• Omega groove door liners for ease of replacing and adjusting door gaskets
• Durable high gloss ABS liners helps prevent cracking
• Galvanized doors for improved corrosion resistance
• Heavy duty door hinge and handle system
• Improved low friction pan slides prevent binding and squeaks
• 8% larger vegetable pans take advantage of dead air space on sides and below pans
• Freezer shelf with 2 positions adding exibility to freezer space
• New high density ice maker system makes more ice faster and takes up less space with the new
eciently designed ice bucket
• New smooth handles replace textured handles for easier cleaning
• Quick space shelf (on select models)
• Clear modular door bins (on select models)
Introduction
Key Features and Updates

– 7 –
A – JAN 2024 - Z
D – FEB 2023 - V
F – MAR 2022 - T
G – APR 2021 - S
H – MAY 2020 - R
L – JUN 2019 - M
M – JUL 2018 - L
R – AUG 2017 - H
S – SEP 2016 - G
T – OCT 2015 - F
V – NOV 2014 - D
Z – DEC 2013 - A
Nomenclature
Serial Number
The nomenclature breaks down and explains what the letters and numbers mean in the model number. The
rst two characters of the serial number identify the month and year of manufacture. The letter designating
the year repeats every 12 years
Example: LA123456S = June, 2013
The Model Serial ID Tag is located inside
the fresh food compartment in the left
hand corner.
The Mini Manual is taped to the
machine compartment cover.

– 8 –
Product Specications
Specication for 15, 16 Cu Ft Mechanical Timer
Refrigerator
DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE SERVICING
IMPORTANT - RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING
DEVICES
All parts of this appliance capable of conducting
electrical current are grounded. If grounding wires,
screws, straps, clips, nuts or washers used to
complete a path to ground are removed for service,
they must be returned to their original position and
properly fastened.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
This information is intended for use by individuals
possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic and mechanical experience. Any attempt
to repair a major appliance may result in personal
injury and property damage. The manufacturer or
seller cannot be responsible for the interpretation of
this information, nor can it assume any.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Cold Control (Position 5) 28.0°F
Defrost Control @ 120 VAC
~60 Hz
15 hrs. / 33 min
Defrost Thermostat 64-23°F
Electrical Rating: 120 VAC AC 60Hz
Maximum Current Leakage 0.75 mA
Maximum Ground Path
Resistance
0.14 Ohms
NO LOAD PERFORMANCE
Control Position 5/C and Ambient
Temperature of 70°F 90°F
Fresh Food, °F / °C 33-39 33-41
Frozen Food, °F / °C (-4) -2 (-4) -4
Run Time % 23-33 37-49
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Refrigerant Charge
(R134a)
4.6 ounces / 0.13 kg
Compressor @ 120 VAC
~60 Hz
690 BTU/hr. / 202W
Minimum Vacuum @ 2
minutes
19 inches / 48 cm
Minimum Equalized Pressure
@70°F / 21°C 37.8 PSIG / 362 kPa
(abs)
@90°F / 32°C 50.7 PSIG / 451 kPa (abs
INSTALLATION
Clearance must be provided for air circulation
TOP 1 inch / 25 mm
SIDES 3/4 inch / 19 mm
REAR 2 inch / 51 mm
REPLACEMENTPARTS
Temperature Control WR09X21006
Defrost Control WR09X10049
Defrost Thermostat WR50X10071
Defrost Heater WR09X21107
Condenser Fan Motor WR60X20871
Evaporator Fan Motor WR60X10346
Relay/Overload WR08X10132
Drier WR86X0096
Fuse Harness WR55X21096
Pub. No. 31-51875-4

– 9 –
Specication for 15, 16 Cu Ft Energy Star
Refrigerator
DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE SERVICING
IMPORTANT - RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING
DEVICES
DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE SERVICING
IMPORTANT - RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING DEVICES
All parts of this appliance capable of conducting
electrical current are grounded. If grounding wires,
screws, straps, clips, nuts or washers used to
complete a path to ground are removed for service,
they must be returned to their original position and
properly fastened.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
This information is intended for use by individuals
possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic and mechanical experience. Any attempt
to repair a major appliance may result in personal
injury and property damage. The manufacturer or
seller cannot be responsible for the interpretation of
this information, nor can it assume any.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Cold Control (Position 5) 28.0°F
Defrost Control @ 120
VAC ~60Hz
Adaptive Defrost
Defrost Thermostat 64-23°F
Electrical Rating: 120 VAC AC 60Hz
Maximum Current
Leakage
0.75 mA
Maximum Ground Path
Resistance
0.14 Ohms
NO LOAD PERFORMANCE
Control Position 5/C and Ambient
Temperature of 70°F 90°F
Fresh Food, °F / °C 33-39 33-41
Frozen Food, °F / °C (-4) -2 (-4) -4)
Run Time % 23-33 37-49
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Refrigerant Charge
(R134a)
4.5 oz
Compressor @ 120 VAC
~60Hz
615 BTU/hr. /180W
Minimum Vacuum @ 2
minutes
19 inches / 48 cm
Minimum Equalized Pressure
@70°F / 21°C 37.8 PSIG / 362 kPa
@90°F / 32°C 50.7 PSIG / 451 kPa
INSTALLATION
Clearance must be provided for air circulation
TOP 1 inch / 25 mm
SIDES 3/4 inch / 19 mm
REAR 2 inch / 51 mm
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Temperature Control WR09X21006
Electronic Defrost
Control Board (EDC)
WR55X21128
Defrost Thermostat WR50X10071
Defrost Heater WR09X21107
Condenser Fan Motor WR60X20871
Evaporator Fan Motor WR60X10346
Relay/Overload WR07X10133
Drier WR86X0096
Fuse Harness WR55X21096
Pub. No. 31-51874-5

– 10 –
Specication for 18 Cu Ft Mechanical Timer
Refrigerator
DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE SERVICING
IMPORTANT - RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING
DEVICES
All parts of this appliance capable of conducting
electrical current are grounded. If grounding wires,
screws, straps, clips, nuts or washers used to
complete a path to ground are removed for service,
they must be returned to their original position and
properly fastened.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
This information is intended for use by individuals
possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic and mechanical experience. Any attempt
to repair a major appliance may result in personal
injury and property damage. The manufacturer or
seller cannot be responsible for the interpretation of
this information, nor can it assume any.
ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Temperature Control (Colder) 23.9-11.1°F /
(-4.5) - (-11.6)°C
Defrost Control 15 hrs/ 33 min
Defrost Thermostat 64-23°F / 17.8 -
(-5.0)°C
Electrical Rating: 110V to
127V AC 60Hz 100V AC 50 Hz
6.5 Amp
Maximum Current Leakage 0.75 mA
Maximum Ground Path
Resistance
0.14 Ohms
NO LOAD PERFORMANCE
Control Position,
Colder Temperature
of
70°F /
21°C
90°F /
32°C
Fresh Food, °F / °C 34-40
/1.1-4.4
35-39 /
1.7-3.9
Frozen Food, °F / °C -3 / -19.4 -3 / -19.4
Running Time % 20-30 41-53
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Refrigerant Charge
(R134a)
Refer to Rating Plate
Compressor Capacity
(@ 10°F Evap and
105°F Cond)
600 BTU/hr / 175.8W
Minimum Vacuum @ 2
minutes
19 inches / 48 cm
Minimum Equalized Pressure
@70°F / 21°C 26 PSIG / 179 kPa
@90°F / 32°C 35 PSIG / 241 kPa
INSTALLATION
Clearance must be provided for air circulation
TOP 1 inch / 25 mm
SIDES 3/4 inch / 19 mm
REAR 2 inch / 50 mm
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Temperature Control WR09X21005
Relay WR08X22874
Defrost Control WR09X10049
Defrost Thermostat WR50X22304
Defrost Heater WR09X21107
Condenser Fan Motor WR17X21162
Evaporator Fan Motor WR60X10346
Drier WR86X0096
Harness Jumper Fuse WR55X21096
Pub. No. 31-51904