Sub Zero 501R R12 Compressor replacement

[rurik]

About a year ago, my Sub Zero 501R thermal protector (attached to the common terminal of the EM30SC compressor) cracked and I was unable to find a replacement and so I replaced the thermal protector and the current type relay with an aftermarket hard-start solid state unit (Supco RCO810 3 n' 1 START Hard Start Kit).  It has worked fine for a year but I suspect that the compressor was starting to go which stressed the original thermal protector (either that or that the aftermarket kit was a bad idea) and now the compressor appears to have failed.  The compressor ohms out OK (7/16/24) but it simply won't start and now the compressor has started to make a little growling sound when trying to start (bearings perhaps?).

I found a replacement compressor (EMI30ER1) which is 1/10 HP (tech specs here: http://www.alltemp.ca/wp-content/files_mf/1383318357EmbracoCat2013_email.pdf).  The Q: Would there be any reason, or benefit, to replacing it with a slightly larger 1/8 HP compressor instead?  The EMI45ER1 appears to be a slightly larger cousin and had the benefit of not requiring a start capacitor and is basically the same price. Also, under the "bigger is better" theory I'd expect that a bit more HP means that a slightly bigger unit wouldn't have to work as hard but not sure if that'd be wise (or if it would be the case) with a refrigerator compressor.

I'm having a hard time finding the replacement drier (SZ 3014230 was original or 7006964 is newer) but I found Supco SUD8358 as a cross-referenced replacement.  If anyone recommends against this, please let me know.

Last, I have all of the equipment (oxy-A torch, R12 recovery/charging unit, etc.) but I'd prefer to have a local person do the brazing (install the compressor and filter/drier) if you know of anyone near San Jose that'd be interested in just that part of the job.  I could take it from there.  

Just to have all of the 501R info in one place, the R-12 capacity is 8 oz for serial #s prior to M658665/P662865 or 9 oz for serial #s M658666-M1204240 or P662865 to P1214190.  Subsequent to those serial #s the unit apparently was charged with 134a and of course with a different compressor and parts than I've listed above. All this info is per this SZ technical data sheet: http://subzerospecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/500techdata.pdf

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Ruprik

[LI-NY Tech]

There's no reason to replace it with anything other than what it's designed to have, and use original Sub Zero parts.  I think just about any qualified is going to want to do the job start to finish, so you may have trouble finding someone to do just part of it. 

[rurik]

Thanks, LI-NY!  You are probably right on the tech so I ordered the 15% silver sticks also...no better time than the present to practice my brazing skills.

[AlboGator]

I wouldn't use a supco filter if I were you.