perc-o-prince
Well-known member
The back with one side open
There is a door on the other side for another ice container.
There is a door on the other side for another ice container.
vintage AIR CONDITIONERS
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Rich I've run across two of those in my thrift storetravels over the last month or so but neither was in as good a shape so I left them behind. They're really sharp looking.. I was gonna say cool..lol
Tom,
Thanks for the info. If you say it's from the 50's, I won't argue
. It was here when I bought the house in '97. As I recall, it ran ok for a while once after I moved in, providing some cooling. Then I didn't run it for a few years. When next I tried it, it tripped the breaker after a few minutes, no cooling noted. It did the same thing another time, so I've not tried to use it since.
The entire patio kitchen, minus the electric range, is on one circuit served by a 30 amp breaker. There is no sub-panel, although it's on my list of nice things to do someday. It's not my idea of the proper way to wire a room, but it was done long ago.
Thanks for the info. If you say it's from the 50's, I won't argue
. It was here when I bought the house in '97. As I recall, it ran ok for a while once after I moved in, providing some cooling. Then I didn't run it for a few years. When next I tried it, it tripped the breaker after a few minutes, no cooling noted. It did the same thing another time, so I've not tried to use it since. The entire patio kitchen, minus the electric range, is on one circuit served by a 30 amp breaker. There is no sub-panel, although it's on my list of nice things to do someday. It's not my idea of the proper way to wire a room, but it was done long ago.
I have that same AC
sudsmaster/Tom, I have the same A/C and am getting rid of it, someone emailed me a while back and then I never heard from him again so its going, going gone, I am dumping about five of my larger older AC's, they are to heavy and I do not have the room.
sudsmaster/Tom, I have the same A/C and am getting rid of it, someone emailed me a while back and then I never heard from him again so its going, going gone, I am dumping about five of my larger older AC's, they are to heavy and I do not have the room.
The entire patio kitchen, minus the electric range, is on one circuit served by a 30 amp breaker.
I am hoping the wire gauge is adequate to be properly protected by a 30a "fuse". Sorry to say, you patio wiring sounds like it may be a "patch" job.
AFAIK, #12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) with 20a protection is the max permissible for general use, and even that is considered technically an appliance/specialty circuit.
Please check the wire gauge. You may need to replace the current 30a circuit protection with a 20a or even a 15a breaker.
IMHO a quad (2 x 20 amps with four outlets [2 standard duplexes)] are a minimun at the kitchen counter. Then a line for the reefer and the DW is good too.
I am hoping the wire gauge is adequate to be properly protected by a 30a "fuse". Sorry to say, you patio wiring sounds like it may be a "patch" job.
AFAIK, #12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) with 20a protection is the max permissible for general use, and even that is considered technically an appliance/specialty circuit.
Please check the wire gauge. You may need to replace the current 30a circuit protection with a 20a or even a 15a breaker.
IMHO a quad (2 x 20 amps with four outlets [2 standard duplexes)] are a minimun at the kitchen counter. Then a line for the reefer and the DW is good too.
Are you talking about a 30 amp 120 volt breaker? That's almost asking for trouble because it would not protect most 120 volt appliances in case of a short or something and very little wiring for 120 volt circuits can really carry 30 amps. That breaker would be more suited to a piece of power equipment in a shop setting.
There are many things that can go wrong with older A/C units. Sometimes the terminals on the compressor burn off or corrode off. Sometimes it's just a problem in switches or other electrical components. When you try it next time, listen to see if the compressor comes on with a good, strong sound, or if it struggles then trips the breaker. Make sure that everything else on the porch is unplugged or turned off. If the fan motor is the type that needs periodic lubrication, it could be pulling so much current from lack of lubrication that when the compressor cycles on it creates an overload.
An appliance store near us closed a few weeks ago and there were many things in the stock of the place that we bought. I wanted and bought, for less than half the ticket price, one of the two Friedrich casement A/C units in boxes on the floor. They are no longer in the Friedrich product line and were just too darned neat to let go into oblivion, although I hope I never have to deal with casement windows again. John has the first design of the Carrier casement unit. It was a tall unit that filled up the whole side of the window that cranked out and was mounted mostly in the room so that when the unit was not being used, the window could be cranked shut.
I am still looking for a 1957 Westinghouse window A/C unit that was one of the most beautiful window units I have ever seen. Neighbors of ours had 3 of them.
There are many things that can go wrong with older A/C units. Sometimes the terminals on the compressor burn off or corrode off. Sometimes it's just a problem in switches or other electrical components. When you try it next time, listen to see if the compressor comes on with a good, strong sound, or if it struggles then trips the breaker. Make sure that everything else on the porch is unplugged or turned off. If the fan motor is the type that needs periodic lubrication, it could be pulling so much current from lack of lubrication that when the compressor cycles on it creates an overload.
An appliance store near us closed a few weeks ago and there were many things in the stock of the place that we bought. I wanted and bought, for less than half the ticket price, one of the two Friedrich casement A/C units in boxes on the floor. They are no longer in the Friedrich product line and were just too darned neat to let go into oblivion, although I hope I never have to deal with casement windows again. John has the first design of the Carrier casement unit. It was a tall unit that filled up the whole side of the window that cranked out and was mounted mostly in the room so that when the unit was not being used, the window could be cranked shut.
I am still looking for a 1957 Westinghouse window A/C unit that was one of the most beautiful window units I have ever seen. Neighbors of ours had 3 of them.
Toggle & Turbo,
Yes, I'm well aware of the problem the way the porch is wired. However, the wiring from the panel to the "distribution" box is 10 gauge, which I understand is adequate for 30 amp service. Unfortunately, there is no breaker panel at the distribution point, and from there it goes to 12 gauge for the rest. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any 14 gauge wiring in there. Additionally, all wiring is encased in either armored sheathing, or rigid conduit.
I could probably do well to replace the 30 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker, in lieu of putting a sub-panel in the patio. The problem with putting in a sub-panel is that the distribution point is in an area not really suitable for such - under the china cabinet, over a counter, between the sink and the range. It's big enough for a six dual outlet wall box, though. Like I said, it was done long before I bought the property, I wouldn't have wired it this way. The electric range is served by its own 50 amp breaker, however, at one time it shared that service with an electric cooktop in the main house kitchen (since replaced with a gas unit).
Yes, I'm well aware of the problem the way the porch is wired. However, the wiring from the panel to the "distribution" box is 10 gauge, which I understand is adequate for 30 amp service. Unfortunately, there is no breaker panel at the distribution point, and from there it goes to 12 gauge for the rest. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any 14 gauge wiring in there. Additionally, all wiring is encased in either armored sheathing, or rigid conduit.
I could probably do well to replace the 30 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker, in lieu of putting a sub-panel in the patio. The problem with putting in a sub-panel is that the distribution point is in an area not really suitable for such - under the china cabinet, over a counter, between the sink and the range. It's big enough for a six dual outlet wall box, though. Like I said, it was done long before I bought the property, I wouldn't have wired it this way. The electric range is served by its own 50 amp breaker, however, at one time it shared that service with an electric cooktop in the main house kitchen (since replaced with a gas unit).
Ok great that you are up-to-speed!
My house was owned by a str8 macho, rugged blue collar, pretty-boy army soldier, turned marine, turned cop turned fireman. (Is someone into uniforms?). Sadly, although eye-candy, he was apparently dumber than a box of rocks when it came to home maintenance. Everything I touched I found to be done badly, cheaply and certainly not to code (and I do mean ANY JURISDICTION'S code!)
He was blonde-haired and blue eyed, chiseled angular face with a clef in the chin, and moderately tall in height. That SOB purposely worked his smile with me as if it were a factor in buying his junk-heap of a shack. Well, at least he had a very very long...................
name. Irish blood, adopted by Italians. (*LOL*)
Proving once again, as a Virgo (read: nit-picky) former accountant (read: anal-rententive),it IS ACTUALLY my mission in life to clean up and fix everyone else's mess, dirt and lack of organization and stupidity. Sometimes you just can't out-run fate *LOL*
Have fun fixing your porch. How does the song go?
"If it ain't one thing, it's another.........."
My house was owned by a str8 macho, rugged blue collar, pretty-boy army soldier, turned marine, turned cop turned fireman. (Is someone into uniforms?). Sadly, although eye-candy, he was apparently dumber than a box of rocks when it came to home maintenance. Everything I touched I found to be done badly, cheaply and certainly not to code (and I do mean ANY JURISDICTION'S code!)
He was blonde-haired and blue eyed, chiseled angular face with a clef in the chin, and moderately tall in height. That SOB purposely worked his smile with me as if it were a factor in buying his junk-heap of a shack. Well, at least he had a very very long...................
name. Irish blood, adopted by Italians. (*LOL*)
Proving once again, as a Virgo (read: nit-picky) former accountant (read: anal-rententive),it IS ACTUALLY my mission in life to clean up and fix everyone else's mess, dirt and lack of organization and stupidity. Sometimes you just can't out-run fate *LOL*
Have fun fixing your porch. How does the song go?
"If it ain't one thing, it's another.........."
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 457
wooden grill model
Greg...do you have anything with a wooden grill?
I swear when I was 5 (1967-8) my Dad took possesion of some very old A/C's - they seemed ancient even at that time, but the one thing I remember was the nice horizontal wooden louvers where the air was discharged. I also remember that they sounded lower pitched when running that other more modern a/c's, but produced some really frigid air.
What model could I be thinking of? Philco maybe?
Bob
Greg...do you have anything with a wooden grill?
I swear when I was 5 (1967-8) my Dad took possesion of some very old A/C's - they seemed ancient even at that time, but the one thing I remember was the nice horizontal wooden louvers where the air was discharged. I also remember that they sounded lower pitched when running that other more modern a/c's, but produced some really frigid air.
What model could I be thinking of? Philco maybe?
Bob
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
I was gonna say cool..lol
Pete, You can say "cool". It dates you BUT to a time that I'm more familiar with
If you happen to see those units, again, and they have the ice holders and it's reasonable, would you let me know? I would like to complete mine.
If I find a nice unit, I will keep you in mind!!
Rich
Pete, You can say "cool". It dates you BUT to a time that I'm more familiar with
If you happen to see those units, again, and they have the ice holders and it's reasonable, would you let me know? I would like to complete mine.
If I find a nice unit, I will keep you in mind!!
Rich
thor
Well-known member
Westinghouse Custom Mobilaire 5000
In 1965 my father purchased a window Custom Mobilaire 5000, made by Westinghouse. Although he purchased it in the USA (and was made in the USA of course!) it was an export unit for 220V/50 (our local power supply). I remember the case being made with aluminum, with a very nice plastic front. He made it be installed permanently fixed through a hole in the masonry wall of the dining room of our house, next to a very large window.
The unit had a rather loud high fan speed and a very quiet lower fan speed (labeled NITE) and it was used endlesly every summer, and it cooled perfectly day in, day out. I remember it was left permanently on for days and days, without being turned off until the season changed and the cooler days came back. The filter was kept clean and changed for a new one every few years.
My mother sold the house in the year 2000 and the unit was left in place, since it would have been very cumbersome to remove (she couldn't leave a hole in the masonry wall).
A couple of years later I read an article about this very same model, which said the model was a complete sucess for Westinghouse. They sold one millon units in the first couple of years the unit was manufactured!
I regret to this day not having taken out this air conditioner, I would love to have this unit now!
Emilio
In 1965 my father purchased a window Custom Mobilaire 5000, made by Westinghouse. Although he purchased it in the USA (and was made in the USA of course!) it was an export unit for 220V/50 (our local power supply). I remember the case being made with aluminum, with a very nice plastic front. He made it be installed permanently fixed through a hole in the masonry wall of the dining room of our house, next to a very large window.
The unit had a rather loud high fan speed and a very quiet lower fan speed (labeled NITE) and it was used endlesly every summer, and it cooled perfectly day in, day out. I remember it was left permanently on for days and days, without being turned off until the season changed and the cooler days came back. The filter was kept clean and changed for a new one every few years.
My mother sold the house in the year 2000 and the unit was left in place, since it would have been very cumbersome to remove (she couldn't leave a hole in the masonry wall).
A couple of years later I read an article about this very same model, which said the model was a complete sucess for Westinghouse. They sold one millon units in the first couple of years the unit was manufactured!
I regret to this day not having taken out this air conditioner, I would love to have this unit now!
Emilio
I've got 3 old ACs I'll try to get pictured and posted soon. I have a 1957 Coldspot with lighted controls that works perfectly, a GE and Catalina (Borg Warner) both from the mid 60's that work without flaw. As for real wood (not plastic) ac faces, we had friends in the late 60's who had a Mathes air cond. with a real wood front. This ac was "old" at the time--not sure how old, but worked day and night, very quiet, and absolutely beautiful. If I remember correctly, it had a mahogany finish, high gloss, very furniture like in appearance with MATHES emblazoned in gold across the wood. Very impressive.
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
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- Jan 28, 2006
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mathes
That could have been it..
I remember somethings about a mathes cooler...does that ring any bells?
I can only remember it was dark colored, likely mahogany and indeed very furniture like.
If we all focus our energy surely one will turn up with time.
That could have been it..
I remember somethings about a mathes cooler...does that ring any bells?
I can only remember it was dark colored, likely mahogany and indeed very furniture like.
If we all focus our energy surely one will turn up with time.
Yes! Mathes . . .
When I was a kid I recall that my dad was a friend of some people who went to a church which had just installed central air, and they showed us the new installation. I was totally disinterested until I saw the old Mathes wood front window units which had been replaced. Oh boy, I was in love with them and just hated knowing that they were to be carted off to the dump. I've never heard of or seen another Mathes window a/c unit but what beauties they were!
When I was a kid I recall that my dad was a friend of some people who went to a church which had just installed central air, and they showed us the new installation. I was totally disinterested until I saw the old Mathes wood front window units which had been replaced. Oh boy, I was in love with them and just hated knowing that they were to be carted off to the dump. I've never heard of or seen another Mathes window a/c unit but what beauties they were!
bobofhollywood
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 457
mathes cooler
I looked around a little and found that a mathes cooler is actually a fan and not an air conditioner...but maybe they also made air conditioners.
I looked around a little and found that a mathes cooler is actually a fan and not an air conditioner...but maybe they also made air conditioners.
Thomas A. Edison
The house in which I grew up (built in 1964) had two 6.5K BTU RCA Whirlpool units (with the inside-out fan motors, remember those?), one in my bedroom, the other in the parents'. And in the living room a larger (don't know the capacity) unit name of Thomas A. Edison. Sorry, no picture. It might could be seen in some old family snapshots, but I don't have any of that material here.
Anybody know anything about Thomas A. Edison window units? Was that a regional brand? Rebadged?
The house in which I grew up (built in 1964) had two 6.5K BTU RCA Whirlpool units (with the inside-out fan motors, remember those?), one in my bedroom, the other in the parents'. And in the living room a larger (don't know the capacity) unit name of Thomas A. Edison. Sorry, no picture. It might could be seen in some old family snapshots, but I don't have any of that material here.
Anybody know anything about Thomas A. Edison window units? Was that a regional brand? Rebadged?
Thomas A. Edison air conditioners were
made by McGraw Edison, and the last I heard about new ones was in the 70s.
Edison was credited with developing an evaporative cooler...an electric fan behind a block of ice, but I don't know if he had any real interest in refrigeration-type air conditioning.
Evaporative coolers are good in low humidity areas, but on the edge of pointless in a high humidity Ohio summer.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
made by McGraw Edison, and the last I heard about new ones was in the 70s.
Edison was credited with developing an evaporative cooler...an electric fan behind a block of ice, but I don't know if he had any real interest in refrigeration-type air conditioning.
Evaporative coolers are good in low humidity areas, but on the edge of pointless in a high humidity Ohio summer.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Wooden Air Conditioner
There definitely was a wood-cabinet air conditioner. It was by Philco. I saw one in Atlanta's Cache Antiques (a great store, sadly defunct now after a fire) several years ago. It was not working, and the dealer knew nothing about it.
It appeared to be very late 1940s or very early 1950s; the Philco decal was the same one used on Philco TV sets in that period. The cabinet was in a mahogany finish. The unit was in very bad shape, as I recall. It was a window unit, but there were no mounting provisions like you see on air conditioners now. I imagine that mounting one in a window called for filler panels to be built by the installer or homeowner.
I remember thinking at the time that it would have been very interesting if someone with restoration talents had gotten hold of the unit and made it work and look good again.
There definitely was a wood-cabinet air conditioner. It was by Philco. I saw one in Atlanta's Cache Antiques (a great store, sadly defunct now after a fire) several years ago. It was not working, and the dealer knew nothing about it.
It appeared to be very late 1940s or very early 1950s; the Philco decal was the same one used on Philco TV sets in that period. The cabinet was in a mahogany finish. The unit was in very bad shape, as I recall. It was a window unit, but there were no mounting provisions like you see on air conditioners now. I imagine that mounting one in a window called for filler panels to be built by the installer or homeowner.
I remember thinking at the time that it would have been very interesting if someone with restoration talents had gotten hold of the unit and made it work and look good again.
Wood Air Conditioners
This helps explain why the vintage GE AC in my enclosed patio has a painted metal woodgrain finish.
BTW, I turned it on today, and the fans came on and whirred without tripping anything. I didn't try fiddling with the dials to activate the compressor, though. Too much drama there.
This helps explain why the vintage GE AC in my enclosed patio has a painted metal woodgrain finish.
BTW, I turned it on today, and the fans came on and whirred without tripping anything. I didn't try fiddling with the dials to activate the compressor, though. Too much drama there.
What is an inside-out fan motor?
