Oldest Operational Air Conditioner

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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Thu. Jul. 30, 2020 9:24 pm

Who has the oldest air conditioner that still functions?
Mine is a 1972 Philco 6000 BTU, weights in at a svelte 82 pounds.
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Thu. Jul. 30, 2020 10:16 pm

That is really neat! I could win most of these oldest thingies as I love old stuff but not an AC unit unless you count fans.

Gotta ask, how many years have you been using it? Does it say Ford Philco or just Philco? Ford owned the name at the time. There are an awful lot of old Philco fridges still working fine, pre Ford included. I see them at sales often.

Ive been thinking this year that I need an old window unit to match my other old crap but havent searched yet.

 
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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 11:04 am

I've been using it since it was new, it's moved everywhere with me. I did have to take it apart twice and make a washer to shim the blower motor, also to lube it, the fan was seizing up. Doesn't work very well on low speed anymore. These days it's in the window of the bedroom where I have my desk, only use it when I'm in here. It's a Philco-Ford.

I found there are videos on YouTube, there actually are people who collect old air conditioners. And I thought I collect some odd things.

 
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Post by warminmn » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 12:57 pm

Wow, you got good use from it! There are people that collect anything. Check out facebook groups and there are some really crazy collector groups on there.

Where that was a common make, its possible you could find a NOS fan if you have the part number, or a good used one. Ebay or possibly Amazon or Etsy. If you know how to save the search you would get an email when one becomes available. Ive waited years but sooner or later parts show up. They may have used the part in fridges too. I think I waited at least 5 years for an antique gun stock that way.


 
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Post by lsayre » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 1:11 pm

We're at about 21 years living here, and the whole house AC unit that was here when we moved in is still going. No idea as to how old it actually is, but the house was built in 1964. I think we've used it more (so far) this summer than for any previous summer. This has been a hot one.

 
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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 2:04 pm

Same here, I've used air conditioning more this year than as long as I have lived here. Usually the nights are cool enough that I can just ventilate the house, not so the past few weeks.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 2:18 pm

The old low-pressure AC units will last decades. My neighbor's outdoor unit is 30 years old.

 
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Post by titleist1 » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 2:21 pm

No old air conditioner here... I kind of wish I did so I could sell it to a collector!! :o

I do have a window exhaust fan in the workshop from at least 1960. It came from the parents house and Dad says they brought it up from Philly when they moved from there, that was in 1961. He thinks they got it in '57 or '58 when there was a real hot stretch and he was working nights and trying to sleep during the heat of the day. Couple drops of oil in the spring and fall is all I have ever done to it.


 
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Post by KLook » Fri. Jul. 31, 2020 9:25 pm

We had one (fan) that we put in the window in the upstairs bedroom....of course you cant imagine it being hot in Maine, especially coastal Maine...but late July and August can be hot and of course with all the water around it is humid...it was old even then and since I am remembering the mid 60's.....it had the oil ports on it and was ALL metal....hell, it is probably still in the house.....I will check next time I am in Maine.....lol.

Kevin

 
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Post by Den034071 » Thu. Aug. 20, 2020 9:59 am

Carrier whole house 34 years old jack

 
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Post by lsayre » Thu. Aug. 20, 2020 10:58 am

Den034071 wrote:
Thu. Aug. 20, 2020 9:59 am
Carrier whole house 34 years old jack
Built to last! I wonder if the same can be said for today's models?

 
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Post by Rob R. » Thu. Aug. 20, 2020 4:16 pm

lsayre wrote:
Thu. Aug. 20, 2020 10:58 am
Built to last! I wonder if the same can be said for today's models?
Nope. New ones use "greener" refrigerants that require higher system pressures, and less materials. That said, the new ones also use considerably less energy.

 
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CoalHeat
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Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Mon. Aug. 24, 2020 9:31 pm

That is true Rob. The Philco spec label claims it uses 9.5 amps for 6,000 BTU, I do have a newer 12, 000 BTU unit that is supposed to draw 11 amps. I don't expect that one to last 50 years.

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