1978 Kenmore (Coldspot) 75940 "The Blotter" 40-Pint Dehumidifier | Initial Checkout

The initial checkout of a Kenmore branded, Coldspot manufactured, dehumidifier from 1978, model 75940 'The Blotter'.
This is a very unusual unit, I have never seen another one quite like it. The machine has a more horizontal form factor, similar to a casement style window air conditioner, as opposed to the more common vertical format.
The machine utilizes a Whirlpool-Seeger rotary vane compressor (incorrectly noted in the video as reciprocating) and R-12 refrigerant. It is tagged as an 'automatic' unit because it has a humidistat for humidity-regulated operation as well as automatic shutoff when the bucket is full, but lacks automatic defrost. The automatic shutoff mechanism is very bizarre and will require further investigation to learn how it works.
Although these units are vastly more reliable and far safer than the units made today, the one failure area is low temperature operation. Most of the units from this era do not like to operate much below the mid-low 70s. The data sheet on the unit doesn't even test it below 70. Temperatures lower will result in the coil frosting, and doing so infinitely as there is no automatic defrost.

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Good initial checkout video of this vintage dehumidifier love the look of the late 70s era I enjoyed the video bro

[@JordanU]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@razor_wuff]

37:10 I love the sound of refrigerant boiling! It's so satsifying, even my Jeeps AC is that pronounced when I shut it off!

[@JordanU]

It is an interesting sound.

[@Kidd-nq4fg]

My Kenmore Coldspot window unit from I believe the same year with a reciprocating compressor also takes a good while to stop hissing as well. But it works great!

[@JordanU]

I guess that's just how these operate.

[@Kidd-nq4fg]

@@JordanU indeed, scared me to death when I turned it on and heard that. Thought it’s definitely not supposed to do that and wondered if it was flat. Let it run for maybe 5 mins or so and I heard the refrigerant start flowing and it got cold. Wonder, do these compressors need to be a certain temp to start pumping the gas? Who knows, would be a cool experiment to conduct in the future.

[@JordanU]

@@Kidd-nq4fg I suspect it has something to do with the oil needing to flow back to the compressor before the vane makes a good seal.

[@Kidd-nq4fg]

@@JordanU that’s a good hypothesis, very well could be entirely why that is.

[@chevyfan9853]

I had one of these when I was a kid that I found behind a building with the cord cut off, did end up getting the fan going, never tried the compressor. It’s long gone sadly but I want one of these so badly

[@LemontHill]

good video bro and it runs very smooth i enjoyed the video

[@JordanU]

Glad you enjoyed it bro.

[@brunoshow124]

That's a Whirlpool-Seeger rotary vane compressor. Takes forever to get going but very reliable. I have a few appliances, including an air conditioner with this compressor. I believe the compressor motor is shaded pole if I remember correctly. Both of my dehumidifiers and my ac unit with this compressor take well over 10 minutes to get going when they've been sitting for more than a few hours. That's why it sounds a bit strange as well.

[@JordanU]

Very interesting. I agree it could be a shaded pole based on power factor. I don't recall seeing a capacitor either.

[@jasonreinhardt1697]

The FSP is “factory specified parts” for whirlpool. I remember sears always had a working relationship with whirlpool from way back in the 1920s making appliances for them.

[@jasonreinhardt1697]

BTW I think this might have a pressure switch to shut off the unit when full like how the washer knows how full it the tub.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@ryanstrains6446]

Nice and Interesting dehumider you have there. Certainly something you don’t see every day. The bucket full mechanism reminds me of an another interesting and rare dehumidifier that was made sometime back in the 70s that I have seen here on KZbin being the sears coldspot 30. I find it interesting that your having this weird thing with air conditioners and this dehumidifier taking some time to build up the head pressure. I wonder if it’s has to do with something with the oil for the compressor taking time to move through the system before it can begin pumping. It would not be surprising with how old the oil is in these older pieces of equipment may take a lot of time to move through and work its way lose before the system can begin working. I do agree with your assessment of the case with these modern peices of junk dehumidifiers that are sold today. They are absolutely abismal granted I have a newer unit that is in its second season and still working this year like it’s brand new but being reliable and having quality is certainly the issues with these things. With the more regulations that are passed for these things over time, the worse they will continue to get. But one thing seems to be for sure and that’s every unit regardless of age will have its pros and cons. Nice video as always and I look forward to the cleaning video of this unit along with any upcoming dehumidifier and air conditioner videos.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@dmcintosh1967]

Today I got my 1978 Kenmore Cool light ( GE carry cool) window AC to work again. Unfortunately the fan motor bearings are very worn so it makes an awful radle.

[@JordanU]

It's possible a replacement motor can be sourced, I don't think there was anything too obscure about the motor.

[@chatrkat]

I completely agree with your feelings on Chinese electric devices in plastic housings. I have said the same thing for ever about anything from China. Also I’m old enough to remember when dehumidifiers were well made, I have one of those Whirlpool units like you had on the bench.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@djbrucebanner9882]

I like it

[@JordanU]

OK

[@seanhamilton3634]

The compressor is actually a Seeger Rotary it’s not a Standard Rotary like in the other acs you have it’s a rotary vain compressor they were very common at that time they are known for taking forever to get going but they work good once they get going. The normal Rotary compressor is a stationary vain which is what your ac in the living room has.

[@brunoshow124]

Yes. I have a couple dehumidifiers and an ac unit with this compressor that all take forever to build head pressure. I also used to have a fridge, and it was again very slow but worked great.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for the information.

[@tonymacaroni_1]

I have a 1978 welbilt powermaster AC wall mounted in my living room and it still working great. Also have 2 other wall mounted ac units from 1998 and they are still working good too

[@JordanU]

Excellent quality equipment.

[@brycemurphy5231]

6:30 excuse you!!!! 😂

[@JordanU]

I'm excused.

[@CRAIG86]

I found a haeir dehumidifier on the side of the road, the coils on it both got extremely hot and made clicking noises to uhhh

[@JordanU]

OK

[@theericfreeze4498]

That is a Seager compressor.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for the information.

[@JohnSurf5]

What happened? The short answer which I’m sure you’ve heard multiple times, the CEOs of companies want you to buy a dehumidifier more often than every 46 years. They like having multiple homes.

[@JordanU]

Not good.

[@basshead12.]

Ya these companies now days have cut cost so much making them cheap as it get and where it can break easy and u have to keep buying more bottom line stick with vintage USA stuff if u can

[@JordanU]

I always try to buy vintage whenever possible.