Pics of the Sears Coldspot Air Con

[red_october]

Here it is, in all its back-breaking glory. The fan is currently very weak (usually won't kick over and if hand-started will run very, very slowly (seemingly a couple hundred RPM), keeping it from doing useful work. It sure is pretty, though!

 

[toggleswitch]

*WOW* talk about classic..........

Thank you for posting it.

 

[dial-a-matic]

OOOOH

I do like it but you should place a filter in it though.

-a-

 

[wmlask]

Fan Motor

Try Oiling the motor and see if it runs better. If that does not work you may have to remove and take the fan motor apart to clean any gunk off of the motor shaft ends. You should be able to get it running again.

 

[wmlask]

Capacitor

Also, check to see if the motor has a capacitor. It may need to be replaced.

 

[selectomatic]

Be careful if you oil the motor!

Some oils, notably 3-in-1 Household (or Multipurpose) Oil, contain paraffin. If you use this type of oil in a motor, the heat in the motor will cause the paraffin to coat the bearing surfaces, and when the motor cools it will stiffen up and the motor will be worse off than when you started.

Use standard SAE 20W motor oil, or 3-in-1 Motor Oil.

That having been said, it sounds like a capacitor problem, not a motor problem.

-kevin

 

[sambootoo]

I agree with wmlask and selectomatic. I have a '57 Coldspot that had the same issue. After replacing the capacitor, starts up and runs great! Will post pictures of this and my 60's GE ac when I can figure out just how!

 

[scott55405]

I remember those. How wonderful! Hope you're able to work out the issues with the fan. These a/cs were made so much better than the modern ones.

 

[sudsmaster]

I have also heard that 3-in-1 oil is not that great for moving parts; that it leaves a gummy residue.

3-in-1 makes a 20 weight oil without the gummy/paraffin additive, which is suitable for use in motors. As I recall, it comes in a blue and white, not red and white, can.

Triflow is a very good lubricant and will last a long time.

 

[red_october]

That's the stuff I have and will be using.

 

[toggleswitch]

...and let's not forget to DISCHARGE the capacitor (once carefully disconnected) by shorting it out with a screwdriver.

Don't need no surprise and nasty shocks!