This Philco AC Came Home Again

[cycla-fabric]

This followed me home today when I went to the recycle center to get rid of some garden waste. At first I couldn't believe it, I bought one just like this in 1972 (Philco Space Mate 5000)and it lasted 29 years before being replaced. This unit needs a good cleaning as I have opened it up to check it out. The power cord was cut, so I don't know if it is a runner or not. I have oiled the fan real well as it was stiff to spin, and it now spins good. I have a cord to replace the one on it and will see if the unit comes to life. If it does, it will get a good cleaning and paint job. Wish me luck as the oldies are the goodies.

Doug

 

[toploader55]

How great s that ???
Love the "Noiseless" series from the 60's.

And for their day, a Handsome looking machine outside and in.

 

[supersuds]

Congrats, hope it works!

Ken Horan says these were made by Philco-Ford in Connersville, Indiana. The plant continued to make parts for Ford until a few years ago.

 

[cycla-fabric]

Hit the jackpot, the unit works! YAY!, now its somewhat apart and getting a cleaning which it really needs as the unit is filthy. I will post a picture or two when I get it done, it is starting to look good again.

Doug

 

[supersuds]

Another successful window AC resurrection. AW members are on a roll!

 

[philr]

Good save. I'm always wondering about power cords being cut on appliances. I always have the feeling something must be really wrong with it for someone to do that but more than a few times I've been pleased to discover everything else (or almost) was fine after I replaced the cord!

 

[cycla-fabric]

Philco AC Refurbished

We guys the unit runs well and I have completed the rehab job on the unit. It runs well and I painted the cabinet as it needed it, I installed it in the window too, and we will give it a test next week as we expect mid 90's temps. PhillR the recycling center where I got the unit from they sometimes cut the cords when they come in, I don't thing they want anyone to take the old units but I sometimes do when they are good shape. I have attached a finish picture of the unit in the window.

Doug

 

[stevet]

Looks like a rebadged

Fedders built unit. Even has the little vents on the side where the moving air sucked in by the evap fan would be pulled over the bi-metal thermostat of the Fedders vintage.

I had quite a few Fedders units that were branded as Norges and they all blew really cold air, in the mid to high 40's and it was easy to swap control panels for a specific look and these smallish chassis were used on the 5000 to at least 9000 btu units. Maybe even up to 10000 as well.
When all was said and dine, they were fairly efficient for their time.

 

[iowabear]

It looks great.  Just how much less efficient are these vintage units compared to modern ones?  I'm sure they are quieter!

 

[supersuds]

The 5000 BTU Philco AM5B3 tested by Consumer Reports in July 1973 had an EER of 6.2, about average for the group of ACs tested. Highest EER was 8.8 for the GE AGAE906LA.

 

[turbokinetic]

Hi Doug. Happy to see I'm not the only one who likes the older window A/C units. I just saved two Chrysler Airtemp units from a scrap heap. Your restoration looks good! I haven't restored mine yet. Found the compressors both run and cool, but the fan motors both have issues. One has a seized bearing that spins with the shaft and binds the motor. The other one the winding burned out.

 

Do you have the front cover? Like yours, my old units are missing the front covers. I have a feeling that probably deteriorated and got where it wouldn't stay on the unit; and was lost throughout the years.

 

It seems many people see the cord as useful and cut it off to keep for repairing other appliances.

 

Sincerely,

David

 

[cycla-fabric]

Hi, Dave, yes the unit is complete with the original front cover, I was very lucky with this unit when I found it, it wasn't tossed on to the ground and damaged. The person who had it placed it on a newer unit, undamaged. You can see the unit in the pic.
Doug

 

[cycla-fabric]

A Fedders Find

Dave, I found this old Fedders a year ago and it was in great condition, just some cleaning up and it was good to go. It's a 1973 4000 but high efficiency unit that Fedders introduced that year. Runs very well and is quiet to boot too.
Doug.

 

[combo52]

Nice Save and Clean-Up

This Philco A/C is indeed a rebadged Fedders unit, these were rugged little A/Cs.

A vintage A/C like this uses about twice the power of a newer one and they are generally much louder in operation, however because of the coarser heaver aluminum fins on the coils they are easier to clean when they get dirty.

One of the major downsides to older less efficient A/Cs is the condenser and compress run at higher pressures and temperatures so the compressors generally have shorter life spans.

Do keep in mind that many vintage A/Cs were very efficient, I have a 1956 Chrysler Airtemp that has an EER of 9.5. manufactures knew how to build highly efficient A/Cs, we also have a water cooled 1937 Frigidaire room A/C that is one ton [ 12,000 BTUs ]cooling capacity that draws less than 12 amps on 120 volts, again about a 10 EER in efficiency [ I need a vintage Energy Star label for it, LOL ].

Doug, keep up the great work, I love seeing vintage refrigeration appliances restored and kept in use.

John L.

 

[turbokinetic]

That looks very nice with the front cover on it! Thanks for the pictures.

 

 

 

[supersuds]

How much water does the one ton 1937 Frigidaire use for cooling? I assume there’s nothing like a modern chiller and the cooling water goes down a drain, or no?

 

[philr]

I'm sure that when John uses it, he figures something to do with the water so it doesn't go down the drain immediately while it's warmed!

 

[combo52]

Cooling water used by the 1937 FD A/C

Was in the neighborhood of 3/4 to 1 gallon per-minute.

And Phil is correct, we were filling TL washers with the nice warm water at the 2002 WI to wash clothing in.

 

John L.

 

[cuffs054]

Combo, pics of the water cooled Fridg would be a treat, please!