1978 GE PortaCool AC ROADSIDE FIND

[ilovewindex]

Found this nice 4000 BTU 1978 GE Porta Cool on the side of the road in a pile of crap... Looks hardly used, cleaned up nicely.. May try and fit it in my bedroom window but its a huge oversized casement window.

I remember these in many of the older mobile homes grwoing up.. Perfect size for a tiny bedroom... I wonder if it would be over powered in my 125 sq ft bedroom

 

[estesguy]

Energy usage is high

A 4000 BTU unit will most likely not overpower any room. But those things were energy hogs. 780 watts is around what most 8,000 BTU units use now days. With an EER over 10, not at 5.1. I think that was even really low back then for a window unit. Plus, as much as I like GE, the spine fin coils were a PITA to clean also.

 

[ken]

Date code DD = Feb 1978

 

[yogitunes]

I had several of those.....unique to have around in a quick fix for cooling.....

LOUD units.....

those splined fins seemed to hinder air flow, for better air flow and quicker cooling, I pulled the front off and used a drill to bore holes through the splines about an inch apart....that greatly increased its effectiveness....

I had a 4000, 6000, and 9000....the 9 was a heavy beast, and still was not overkill for my bedroom....

I had someone ask me about their window A/C as it wasn't working quite right.....they were using a casement style unit in a regular double hung window.....and turned it SideWays to fit......and these people are allowed to breed!....

 

[firedome]

Those spiny fins...

Hugely increased the surface area and made it very effective at heat transfer... we had a 6000 and it cooled a 15 x 13 BR extremely well for 15 yrs, sold it, still working, with the house. Much better made than anything today imo.

 

[ilovewindex]

Yogitunes

Mine will be mounted properly believe me

I didn't catch the watts, it may over power the electrics upstairs as we run a portable ac in the other room....

Still a neat find