Seeking Fedders AC with a "Weather Wheel"

[red_october]

Hello all, I'm new here and I'm currently lusting after a Fedders Air Con with a "Weather Wheel" type vent outlet. First off I know they are still made but they are only the through-the-wall type. I plan on eventually replacing the window unit in my living room with a brand-new through-the-wall A/B Chassis unit, but for now I need an A/C for my bedroom and I'd like a vintage Fedders. I'd also take just about anything with character, to be honest, todays modern units just have no character to them; they're like ten years agos computers, just bland beige. Anyone got one to sell? Anyone know where to find one? They seem rather elusive; rarely turning up on Ebay or craigslist, and there is rather a dirth of information about vintage Air Conditioners on the net in general. I've even found stuff about my first appliance love (Vacuums), and dont' get me started on how many pages there are on fans! (not that I dislike fans or anthing, you should see my ancient "Arctic Aire" wall mount!) So any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[scott55405]

I remember those. They were cool looking, as were a lot of air conditioners of the day. Window air conditioners have mainly become throwaways today, much like microwaves, tvs, vcrs, ad nauseum.

 

[gregm]

hi

I just emailed you a couple pics of what I have if your interested. I live in MAss too so the good thing is "no shipping charges/hassles" ...........where in MA are you ?

 

[dial-a-matic]

ooooh

can you please post the pics of the old a/c? PLEASE????

Thank you
-a-

 

[red_october]

Much thanks to gregm; it looks like I will be acquiring these units. I'll bring my camera and take pictures of the whole process. Hopefully even a few "action shots"... perhaps I can turn up some yellow ribbon to tie to the grilles once it's in the window.

 

[launderess]

Glad a local member was able to help you out!

Vintage Fedders ACs come up on eBay now and then, especially the weather wheel models. Vintage ACs may become even rarer as local power companies offer ready money towards a purchase of a newer energy efficient model for bringing in the older units.

Federal, state and local governments faced with power usage out stripping supply, and few alternatives as the NIMBY crowd fights any new power plant or such infrastructure; has turned to reducing usage to make do with what is now in place. Vintage AC's cool very well (especially those running with Freon), but they are energy hogs, so the powers that been are locked and loaded to get rid of them.

Sadly for those pushing the above programs, old window ACs run quite well for the most part, and many (including Moi) are loathe to get rid for them for today's modern offerings.

 

[whirlcool]

Those old Fedders weather wheel a/c's were rather ubiquitous during the 60's & 70's. They came in many different sizes. I think I once saw one as small as 5,000 BTU's and they may have ranged all the way up to 12,000 BTU's or so.
So there should be an old advert for them somewhere!

 

[red_october]

Would you mean like this?

Do I not rule?

 

[whirlcool]

Yup, those are the ones!
Would it be possible to make the scan larger so we can read it?
Thanks!

 

[red_october]

Unfortunately I found that image on the web, so no such luck.

 

[cycla-fabric]

Vintage A/C's - The Design Style

I remember those Fedders units with the weather wheel air discharge and hidden controls. Those units were very popular and advertised as being quiet too if I remember correctly. Good luck on finding one, as there should be some of them still around.

On another note, I remember when visiting my grandparents in Bay Ridge Brooklyn NY during the summer, and walking around the neighborhood and looking at the different homes/apartments to see what kind of AC units were installed. Fedders I would say were very popular and easily identified by there square exterior badge with the 4 seasons and the big “F”. GE/Hotpoints were a runner up I think and easy to spot too. And then you had Whirlpools, Westinghouse, Emerson KQ, Gibsons, Kelvinators, Frigidaires and Welbuilts. Welbuilts does anybody remember those poorly built units. Oh well a time that’s gone by, but nice to remember. I have by the way four vintage AC units all from the GE/Hotpoint family, a 1967 GE 5000 btu Fashionette, a 1971 GE 5000 btu Fashionair, and two carry cool models from the 1980’s a TOL GE and a TOL Hotpoint which I picked up for free. They all work great too! Good Luck on your find!

Doug

 

[parunner58]

My grandmother had one of those built in to the wall of her dining room in Philadelphia in the early 60's, never used it once my grandfather did that, she said it was not big enough. was there until 79 and he bought a bigger sears one and put it in the basement for storage. In 81 my mom took it and used it up until 4 years ago when they put in central air. That thing was quiet and cooled great. Was still working when they retired it to a closet. I will find out for you if it is still sitting in there house. I am not sure of the size but it weighs a ton, I should know I helped put it in the window each year.

Mike

 

[red_october]

Thanks!

That's great! I'd love to have an old Fedders.

 

[sambootoo]

cycla-fabric...I do remember the welbilts, not too may of them around here, though. Another brand that was seen fairly frequently here was Chrysler Airtemp. Most of these were HUGE units but there were some smaler ones as well. Also used to see some Wizards, Admirals, Norges and Yorks(both Borg-Warner), Carrier, Philco, and let's not forget Coldspot. I think Airtemps were later made by Fedders or whoever owned them at the time but the qality was not the same as the old Chrysler products.

 

[red_october]

Auto A/C???

My grandparents house was awash with Air Conditioners. In their bedroom was a throug-the-wall Friedrich. At the top of the stairs was a 230V Philco/Ford. It even had the little blue oval. The upstairs bedroom had an Amana QuietCool, I think. In the kitchen there was a very strange A/C purchased in the 80s, I think; it had a very neat control panel that was under a piece of smoked perspex; this included a timer and multi-mode controls. There were also little vanes that turned left and right of their own accord to move the air about. It was very high-tech. Unfortunately the Philco/Ford died and was replaced with an inadequate 120V unit (the store gave them the wrong one; a wholely inadequate "Siesta"), the Friedrich died at some point and was replaced with, I believe, a modern Airtemp unit. Those two being the oldest and most interesting; and the rest went with the house.

 

[exploder3211]

That one you mention is a Carrier unit.. We had those everywhere in my middle school.. Nice units that cooled well

 

[red_october]

Yeah it was...

It indeed was a Carrier. They always made neat units. I remember being in a little eatery in upstate New York with a huge (even compared to my back-breaking Coldspot) Carrier Weathermaker inbuilt about 10 feet off the ground (who the hell thought that was a good idea?), was a 240V unit with the thicker cord and large plug (ála a range or dryer). It was turquoise. Bright turquoise -and it had an interesting array of controls.

 

[launderess]

AirSweep

Was the name, IIRC

Only just remember the televison commercials showing a room full at a large party/gathering and how the hostess was worried about her air conditioner keeping things cool. Not to worry because she had an "AirSweep", AC which automatically swept cool air back and forth across the room.

L.

 

[launderess]

Fedders In Hartford

If you feel like drive,

http://hartford.craigslist.org/hsh/353091721.html