GE 10 ton

[selfemployed]

Nice to see equipment still running that was installed around the time I started in the business. http://ww2.imagewiz.net/images/hvac/81414_Hpim0362.jpg.

[a\c don]

Sure kept it simple back then.
That old G.E. compressor will probably run forever.

[Diceman]

You sure thats 10 tons, line set looks small, maybe 7.5?

[Diceman]

Originally posted by Diceman
You sure thats 10 tons, line set looks way too small?

[selfemployed]

Originally posted by Diceman
You sure thats 10 tons, line set looks small, maybe 7.5? Looked in my data base and found out that it is a 7.5. Model 21TA090C3A / 202481731. Memory isn't what it was when I got in the business either.

[DeltaT]

That's the water tube condenser behind the compressor, right? I've worked on a ton of those systems. Had the original roto lock compressor connectors as I remember. Trane stole the idea from GE when Trane purchased them, I think.

Wish I could make a museum of old equipment and this would be one of them. Another would be the old Crysler package units that had the radial compressor suppended from one rubber top mounted bolt.

[mr big]

It really was hard to stop A GE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[selfemployed]

We have the panels removed for cleaning condenser. Why is it call a water tube condenser?

[DeltaT]

I'm assuming the bunch of tubes behind the compressor are the tubes for the condenser if it is a water cooled condenser, which a lot of these old systems were.

Way back then many of the system ran off an open cooling towers. And many cities would allow water cooled condensers up to about 5 tons to be used in buildings and homes for A/C and refrigertion. These systems could be hooked into the city water and the discharge would go into the sewer. Code changes and high water bills stopped that back in the late 60's and 70's though.

I had one customer who was way ahead of his time. In his basement was a 3 ton water cooled GE like you have here. He would keep all of his shades drawn and every door and window closed so his house was cool but dark and dingy. He was an attorney and could afford air conditioning way before central air was popular.

On the other hand you said you were cleaning the condenser, so this is an air cooled condenser? If so, never mind. If this is a water cooled condenser the copper in that unit should be worth a fortune.

[gschra11]

That looks like classic spine-fin coil to me... Same thing AS/T uses today.

Didja use the propane torch trick to clean it all? It's the only way to clean spine-fin. I have a blast everytime I do that. :D Guess I'm a real geek.

[Edited by gschra11 on 07-20-2004 at 01:04 AM]

[dschwab9]

Propane torch trick? Could you elaborate on that?

[gschra11]

Spine-fin is all-aluminum, and since the way they make it involves aluminum spines sticking out instead of aluminum plates, the spines can bend very easily. For this reason, you can't hit it with a jet of water because:
1. The spines will bend over and the condenser will become useless
2. The spines don't like to release dirt, lent, cotton-wood fuzz, whatever.

Therefore, the only way to clean Spine-Fin is the propane torch trick.
1. Turn unit ON.
2. Take as many panels off of the unit as you can. For GEs and even most Tranes/American Standards, you have two that you can take off. (Opposite each other)
3. Tell the homeowner that he/she is going to see smoke and not to call the fire department, everything is ok. (Actually had this happen once)
4. Get a propane torch, light it, and put the flame on the spine-fin. Go down each row with the torch. Don't keep it on one spot, keep it moving, but don't rush through it either. You want to see the dirt glow red, smoke, burn up, etc.
5. Do all four sides, even the ones with the panels still on. GE and even Trane and American Standard today have made their cabinates able to stand the flame without hurting the paint.
6. When the coil looks grey, (ashy) then you have burned everything. Turn the unit OFF.
7. Take a garden hose and gently spray the coil with a shower of water. DO NOT HIT IT WITH A STREAM!!! Everything on the coil is all ash now and will wash away very easily with gentle water.
8. If you did it right, the coil will shine and look brand new.

...and don't worry, the head-pressures won't sky-rocket while you've go the torch on it, because you are just spot-heating the condenser.

No, this isn't some crazy thing I dreamed up. This is what Trane said to do at one of their training sessions. It actually works very good.

Hope this helped.

[selfemployed]

I'll give that a try. Printed to show trane dealer I use to work for. If it works I don't care if it sounds crazy.

[b1234]

Could also install a UV light near the coils. The light will clean the crud off quickly and prevent it ever coming back. Just leave the light on.

[selfemployed]

LOL

[Green Mountain]

The unit in the picture probably has a SEER of about 4 :)

[selfemployed]

Originally posted by benncool
The unit in the picture probably has a SEER of about 4 :) Yea but lower seer units last longer and don't have many gadgets to replace so they cost less in the long run. :D ;)

[AllTemp]

http://www.alltemp-hvac.com/carrier.jpg

Shared this before , this old Carrier R12 was running when we changed it out...http://www.alltemp-hvac.com/carrier2.jpg

They don't make quaility coils like this any more.

This coil installed flat and the louvered condensate pan caught dripping condenstae. 40+ years old and no leaks :-)
http://www.alltemp-hvac.com/coil.jpg

[Edited by AllTemp on 08-01-2004 at 01:16 AM]

[gschra11]

Originally posted by selfemployed

Originally posted by benncool
The unit in the picture probably has a SEER of about 4 :) Yea but lower seer units last longer and don't have many gadgets to replace so they cost less in the long run. :D ;)

Not true... if you compare a heat pump made today to one made even 20 years ago, you'll find there are no mechanical timers, coils, relays, etc. Many of these components have been replaced by simple solid-state controls, and have thus eliminated potential component failures. Air Conditioners made today are made pretty much the same as 20 years ago... motor, compressor, contactor, capacitor.

I give you that the quality of the components themselves may have changed. That compressor is a tank, and nobody makes them like that anymore.

[selfemployed]

Nice pics alltemp they do last beyond their time. Had to clean and replace gaskets on a few condensers like those. gschra11- that was a joke inpart ;) The old stuff just wouldn't quit and were built to last. Cost of repairs causes most equip. to be replaced today, even when its less than 10 yrs. old. Thats not all bad.

[woods mech]

Those old GEs just keep on going. I worked at an apartment complex and the majority of their units were old GEs from 1972-73. and a lot of them are still going today. I didn't like the trickle circuits tho when I was just starting out in HVAC I would get the crap shocked out of me all the time.

[madarius]

That compressor looks like a 7 tonner.You'd be suprise to see that baby run as its name implies- for many years to come

[ruzzosplinter]

Hi i am currentlya business owner and i have one of this unit and the compressor just went bad and i cant find one, im going to upgrade and i see there quite a few fans of this old GE's, anyone interested in buying this dinassour?

[compresser100]

what does the air handler look like?

[rayr]

Originally posted by gschra11
Spine-fin is all-aluminum, and since the way they make it involves aluminum spines sticking out instead of aluminum plates, the spines can bend very easily. For this reason, you can't hit it with a jet of water because:

No, this isn't some crazy thing I dreamed up. This is what Trane said to do at one of their training sessions. It actually works very good.

Hope this helped.

Very good post. The first time I used this method was in 1969. I was a GE dealer. Used to use the torch with what GE called "A Lazy Flame". Great to use on dog hair. That serial # is Feb. 1972. I have a lot of old res. units stll kicking with the dome top. Installed thousands of them. Love that roto-com and the 3 legged mount. Some even had a fuse on the run wire.

[compresser100]

Hey selfemployed, Can you please repost or update this thread call "Ge 10 ton"? Thank-you

[selfemployed]

Looked everywhere but must have lost it.

[selfemployed]

As requested. By the way the suction connection is on the top. New unit is the same tonnage.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6460/ge12bu.jpg.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1866/ge23lw.jpg.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4509/ge7ts.jpg.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2286/ge39lc.jpg.

[compresser100]

Hey thank-you very much.!