Ashton Crusher wrote:
On Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:57:08 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
wrote:

On Tue 21 Jul 2009 10:16:06p, Ashton Crusher told us...

I've got a house in Phoenix with the original Goetle AC package unit
on the roof, 3 ton. The house was built in 1971 so the unit is 38
years old. The condenser fan was replaced 4 times and an external
crankcase heater was strapped to it 25 years ago when the internal one
burned out. Anyone know of any that are older that have worked as
hard as this unit?
Goetle's must be pretty good. I have friends in Glendale, AZ whose home was
also built in the early 1970s (maybe 1971). They also have the original
Goetle AC package unit on the roof, 3 ton. We were talking about it last
week, and while their unit has had regular preventive maintenance, the only
service item the unit has required is additional coolant.

Having said that, they've been considering replacing the unit in order to
upgrade to one that is more efficient.

Yeah, I would guess it's SEER must be about a 6. Makes me feel bad
for the tenants. I've almost replaced it a couple times but I've
replaced complete units on two other rentals and those "new" ones have
a hard time lasting more then a decade but this old one keeps on
chugging.

An old fellow I knew called me about his early 70's
Carrier condensing unit that had been condemned by
a large HVAC company with shiny new trucks. The only
problem with the unit was a bad condenser fan motor.
When he bought the AC, it was the top of the line most
expensive home AC unit Carrier had at the time. It had
stainless steel hardware, a two speed thermostatically
controlled condenser fan, a built in sight glass, both
high and low pressure switches, a sound insulation cover
over the compressor and an anti short cycle timer.
The thing was built like a tank and I advised against
replacing the old Rolls with a new Hyundai as it were.
I was able to find a two speed motor and make it fit
with a few spacers and the thing is still going strong
today after five years with no other repairs. The neat
thing about the old unit is the condenser fan switches
to low speed at night when the outside temperature
drops and it is very quiet.

TDD