Window AC

[supersurgilator]

I was wondering, for those of you who have older window AC's if you would mind telling us about them/attaching a pic. I recently found a video on youtube about a 1960's GE Timeline that is still going strong. If I remember correctly some members here have the old Chryslet airtemps etc, and I thought it would be fun if you all could show them off again.

 

[2packs4sure]

Packard Bell A/C

This is a still working unit. The inside case is finished wood. The outside case survived because an enclosed patio was built around it in 1970. The unit was sitting unused from 1972 - 2008.

 

[petek]

Packard Bell, now there's a near forgotten name, cept for that little foray into computers a decade ago which probably had nothing to do with the original company.

 

[gadgetgary]

At a recent Tag Sale

Found this Hotpoint Carry Cool. From my understanding, you cannot kill these units.

Works perfectly.

 

[gadgetgary]

Original box

Specs

 

[whitekingd]

I don't have a way to put up a picture (yet), but I have a Westinghouse Mobilair 5000 from 1968 that I bought at a thrift store for $19.95 about 12 years ago. It is a great AC. Really cold air output. Heavy thing unit, but certainly worth the $19.95!!!!!!!!

 

[douglasdc6]

I`ll post pictures of mine soon.

Mine are from the 1950`s & were recently saved from a tear down - I`ll post pictures soon - These units have ben out of service for at least 25 -30 years - some are older.

1. Philco
2. Fedders
3. RCA/ Whirlpool
4. Chrysler Airtemp
5. Carrier from the 1940`s with semi hermetic compressor.
6. 1936 York floor airconditioner unit with belt drive compressor - Condenser air vents out the back with a small 3 inch wide hose.

 

[2packs4sure]

1950`s & saved from a tear down

Wow, that's rare in here in Houston, there is so little that's old left. It seems everything interesting is in the Northeast.

Here is the tag from the Packard Bell. I've never been able to find anything out about it.

 

[scott55405]

Aside from being fun to see, I found those older units worked so much better than anything non-central you can buy today.

 

[paulg]

Old Westinghouse = Cold

We too had a 1960's Westinghouse window-AC in the old house. It was small but cooold.
So strange, I see many window ACs nowadays that work fine, but have a different (weaker) kind of cold...
I know this sounds stupid, but it is true. Went to an estate sale. Hot day. Went into a room that was crisp-cold. What was in the window? A 1960's Westinghouse AC (every room had them). Went up to the unit and stuck my face in the louvre. The cold on those things just "feels" different. Can't tell you why though.. Some psychological thing. Cold is cold? Right? Or is it the difference between air conditioners made with steel airflow innards versus cheap (Chinese) air conditioners that use loose foam chunks to channel the air?

 

[syndets2000]

A GE Roll about

We came across a GE unit- I am thinking maybe from the early 60's or more- it was attached to this stand with wheels, so I suppose that gave it the portability- it has extendable side wings, made of metal- it is 7500 BTUs, & is very large, but very anemic too! Has a small belt inside that scoops up the condensate, I drips it on the condenser-BIG energy hog I was told...
My favorite from GE is the Fashionette Window unit- made of plastic, & came in Blue, Coppertone, Yellow, & White..I have a white one from 68 in our barn, it still works, but they were not the quietest units-& the evaporators were made of tubes with that strange aluminum bristle stuff-
I alwais loved the name, Fashionette, & also Fashionaire! So Stylish!!

 

[whitekingd]

Well, you know,

YOU CAN BE SURE, ...if it's Westinghouse!

 

[douglasdc6]

Aluminum Bristle stuff

I can relate - Thats what it looks like - We refer to them as spine fin coils - I never could understand how the air could get through the stuff but it did

A few days ago I pulled an old 1971 1 ton g-e a/c from a window -No rust anywhere on it -I`ll probly save it for a future collector.

 

[supersurgilator]

I happen to pass by an AC in Walmart thr other day, can't remember if it was a Haier or GE unit, but you could see right through the plastic vents in the unit to where I could actually see the fan blades. Absolutely amazing. We have a 1985 Kenmore in our family room and you can't see anything through that thing. It does make cold air too, we used it regularly until getting central AC in 1998. It is still installed though as we don't have any ductwork in our family room, although we hardly use it now.

 

[douglasdc6]

Some window units have styrofoam.

I`m seeing window units now with styrofoam in the blower compartment & also acting as a dividor wall as well.

Frigidaires are like this.

I`ve spent days looking at window unit reviews & have concluded that Sears Kenmores Made by L&G appear to have very good ratings .

On the pricey end Friedrichs are good as well.

 

[launderess]

Don't Speak To Me About Air Conditioners!

*LOL*

Spent most of yesterday hauling our Freidrich "WallMaster" (circa 1997) out of the wall for a good cleaning and oiling of motor. Darn thing is all metal and nearly put one's back out!

Lots of metal, sharp bits in close quarters made for a fun time by all, NOT! *LOL*

Finally got both inside and outside fins nice, bright and gleaming, though the inside condenser not so much so. Was out of foaming cleaner and as our local HVAC supply is closed on weekends, it would have meant a trip to Homeless Depot. That trip would have meant getting dressed to go "down town" and that was O-W-T, out.

Still, you cannot fail with those old all metal units. Keep the motor well oiled, coils and drip pan clean, and they should run for ages.

L.

 

[maytagmark]

Friedrich

I miss my '59 Friedrich 12,000 BTU 110 volt unit,I used it for 10 years,I retired it in '99 after it lost all it's freon,that Tecumseh compressor was still good,if you've never seen this compressor it looked like a giant upside down mushroom mounted on springs and purred like a kitten,it was the TOL a/c of it's time, Friedrich a/c's were never the same after the 60's when they changed the compressor, and did away with the "Floating Air" logo, They had metal louvers on the front panel for air direction, I would probably still have this unit but at the time I was moving from my 1920's house to a modern condo, so what do you do with such a thing except leave it. sad but we move on.

 

[launderess]

"Small belt inside that scoops up the condensate".

Many vintage and modern air conditioners had and or have such a system. My Friedrich uses a "slinger ring" to spray condensate water onto the condenser to keep it cool. Supposedly it helps save energy. However it also means these units really only are energy efficient when the fan is running on "high" to move that water.

Slinging consensate water around also means that if the drip pans aren't clean, one is spraying mould,gunk and god only knows what else laden water all over the condenser coils.

 

[toploader55]

Chrysler Airtemp

Bought this Unit as a Freshman in Highschool. 1971. I fire her up twice a summer to see if she'll do it.
Ice Cold Air. R-22 Refridgerant. Just don't have a window at this point to use it.