FIRST TRANE AC SYSTEM OVER 50 YEARS OLD STILL RUNNING STRONG

FIRST TRANE AC SYSTEM OVER 50 YEARS OLD STILL RUNNING STRONG
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[@brnmcc01]

That is a 3 ton unit. My grandfather used to work for GE. He mainly worked at Broadway and Winter St Engineering in Fort Wayne where that condenser fan motor in that unit was made. He also was involved in a project in the 1960's to redesign all their hermetic motors, and visited the plant in Tyler, TX many times. That unit was made in the 6th week of 1971. The last 3 digits of the serial number represent the last digit of the year, then week of manufacture (YWW). The 36 in the model number is the 36000 of cooling. The fan blades were made by Lau in Indianapolis. Good units, I have a set of run capacitors I saved from a early 60's unit from a customers house I just replaced last year. Was a 5 ton, from 1964 when the house was built. Lasted until 2021, something broke inside the compressor, it didn't burn out though, just wasn't pumping anymore and made a terrible racket. The run caps are gigantic, and separate for fan and compressor. They were also made by GE, and still test perfect. 60 years old, and still work, because cans soldered shut, and probably filled with about a pound of PCB's. I'll never use them of course, and after washing off the 60 years of filth and dirt, the paint is still shiny and look new. I guess the dirt protected the paint from fading. My Dad's father just passed away just before last memorial day, almost made it to 102. Worked for GE from 1943 until 1977, then went to work for Copeland in Humbolt, TN then Sydney, OH before retiring in 1985. That's why they're such good units, designed by engineers of the same generation that developed the Apollo space program stuff etc.

[@Spector_NS5_RD]

3 ton from 1/4" x 5/8" (maybe even as small as 1/2" for that suction line) line set? I'm too lazy to do the research on this particular unit. Would this unit be rated at 4-6 SEER if this were, indeed, 3 ton?

[@brnmcc01]

@@Spector_NS5_RD Yes about 6 seer. 4 before he cleaned the condenser coil! That was most likely a 5/16 x 5/8 suction line. So 1/4" ID and 1/2" ID. Yes a little small, but if a short line set not an issue. For 410A and 3 ton, 3/8 and 3/4 is recommended up to 50 feet.

[@walterbrunswick]

I think you can agree though, that manufacturing technology and materials science has greatly improved? typing this on a handheld smartphone with infinitely more computing power than any Apollo spacecraft... we are at the Artemis stage of space travel

[@mrmatt2525able]

I enjoyed your story :) interesting :)

[@DocNo27]

@@walterbrunswick "we are at the Artemis stage of space travel" it hasn't launched yet 🙄

[@newmoon54]

G.E. 's roto-lock compressors were unbeatable!!!!! Way back in 1977 when I was a service trainee, I installed lots of these condensing units in central Florida. We had virtually no compressor failures!!! And years later, when I was self-employed on Long Island working all of the Hamptons, and Amagansett / Montauk Point,, I was installing the Trane units and I remember another service tech. telling me about ""SNOWBALL"".... a ~Roto-lock compressor~ that had been running ~deliberately~ with the blower in the air handler shut off for around 12 years!!! That was in 1988/89?!?! AMAZING!!! I WONDER WHEN OR IF IT DIED!?!?!?! CHEERS!!!!

[@phightphan]

GE's "Snowball" lasted almost 28 years, from late 1972 until 2000. Then Trane started up a "Snowball II" in 2000. Last I heard, it's still running.

[@randomtodd5794]

I just worked on one of those last week! One of the oldest I’ve seen around KC. Noisy fan motor was kicking out on overtemp. Spine fins were plugged solid, pulled it all apart, cleaned coils, replaced fan motor. Fired up quietly, instantly, pressures were rock solid. Didn’t even need a charge! Runs beautifully. 50 plus years old like me and still going.

[@seesea-sv3xw]

That GE unit was the best unit we ever had, was supposed to have an outside wedding shower at our house but the forecast was for 100° we had over 40 blabbing women in our house and everyone remarked at how nice and cool it was, that GE had zero problems keeping the house at 72° on a 100° day with 40+ people partying in it.

[@Straycurrent]

That GE is nearly identical to the one I had at my previous house, installed in 1967. If I recall correctly, that control with the manual reset slider is a high press switch with a cap tube extending down into the compressor compartment onto the high side line. The cabinet metal was heavier gauge metal than the body of my car today.

[@ritaloy8338]

The reason is Trane bought the General Electric Air Conditioning Division in the early 1880's and then placed their name on it. Before that Traine was commercial and Industrial Air Conditioning Company.

[@brnmcc01]

@@ritaloy8338 1982

[@khx73]

Notice the handy little covered access door for resetting that pressure switch @ 33:13.

[@georgeengland743]

Clean the contacts with an emery board or Jewelers file and a little contact cleaner. Good for another 30 years

[@lowrybrock8272]

Boy that brings back memories!!! My grandmother had that same condensing unit when I was a kid!! It lasted forever. Enjoy the videos! Be safe out there buddy.

[@jimfiedlerRR-546]

Those GE systems are probably some of the best AC's ever built! Lots here in the Chicago area they just don't die lol

[@sknight0391]

Super Steve saved the day! The old WeatherTron lives to fight another day. 😎👍

[@GeorgiaHvacAndMore]

That one appears to have been manufactured on the 8th week of 1971. The units in good shape for being 51 years old.

[@johnwalker890]

I think you did a great job keeping an old equipment going, Good job Steve.

[@willthetrill4849]

If I moved into a house with a unit this old, I will never replace it until it's dead beyond repair

[@CACar_Nation]

Same man. Because you like old things like I do?

[@willthetrill4849]

@@CACar_Nation absolutely

[@louisglen1653]

You look after your customers so well! You have a great business model!

[@12yearssober]

They aren't teaching that in school anymore.

[@Veedub98]

@@12yearssober lmfao lmfao the name got me bahahahahaha

[@gregspot]

@@Veedub98 You see. This is proof that Jeffery Epstein didn't kill himself 🙂

[@Hvac-dude]

Steve u are awsome 😊 uve inspired me alot I've been beating myself up thinking I'm incapable of doing this because I have an iep and I struggle sometimes uve really tought me some tips and tricks and I really think u are a good guy

[@MikeMcCue849]

LOVE THE HUMOR STEVE

[@SkyChaserCom]

Amazing longevity of those old units. Just a contactor and the main stuff runs fine. Easy fix. No one makes these units that last like this anymore.

[@markdietz2777]

Great diagnosis Steve ... keeping the old Trane running 🚂🏃

[@Dominick_Calvitto.]

Great diagnosis Steve ...

[@themayorofairconditioning2868]

You're the Man Steve, great service call

[@volvo09]

Love the old stuff staying alive.

[@mikemrha9013]

Just had my 1992 / 31 year old Trane units serviced. Have a 5 ton Trane AC & furnace & a 3 ton ac all 31 years old, serviced offen & running great!

[@Eddy63]

That was a good fix and good vid ... Thx Steve ...

[@earlblakley4910]

They were good units. Remember them well. If you had a call on one there was a problem. The heat pump version had the Ranco E15 I think it was for the defrost. Good old days! I had to replace a contactor on one and had the same situation. Not much room on that corner.

[@johnphillipsplumbing7148]

Good job,good video,keep them coming!

[@gankstar2000]

Well done, Steve! God bless!

[@SeanBZA]

Fan motor still is a part you buy from Trane, which still fits, and still used on a lot of units.

[@14thabz]

Great work as always Steve👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@realestateservicessaleshea99]

Thanks again for the videos!👍🏻🍺🍺🍺🥃🥃

[@jeanclaudevandam4974]

Great troubleshooting skills. Man was in the zone.

[@johnstine1987]

I have a trane installed in 2000 so far so good. I pray each year I switch it on that it works nothing has ever been done except coil cleaning.

[@jamesbruno5896]

Amazing that unit still runs, nice job Steve!

[@Joop5000]

What would be amazing is if the new junk being installed today could last as long as this old beast! I doubt it!

[@zippythechicken]

@@Joop5000 the thing is ... the new stuff should last much longer because they should have worked out all the problems... HA! who am I kidding hheheheh

[@Joop5000]

@@zippythechicken The only thing they work out these days is...How much $$$ they can line their pockets with, lower the quality, make it smaller and thinner, with cheap materials and yada yada

[@picklerix6162]

I remember that some of those GE condensing units used a special non-standard fan motor and they were expensive.

[@javiergalvan242]

I have 3 trane units on property Steve, they are from 1984, still running strong! Great video as always, keep them coming 👍 👏 👌

[@garycarter4297]

Pure copper, it's not out there today..

[@javiergalvan242]

You are correct Gary

[@walterbrunswick]

@@garycarter4297 what's wrong with the copper alloys of today?

[@walterbrunswick]

@@javiergalvan242 what's wrong with the copper alloys of today?

[@javiergalvan242]

@@walterbrunswick I just don't know Walter......

[@josephstevens2123]

Hey great job on that outside air conditioning unit love watching your video

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I’ve heard you say “it’s not rocket science” many times but this video illustrates just what a good mechanic you are.

[@brad8665]

The way you talk to your customers is hilarious but you could never get away with that where I’m from. Can definitely tell you’re from mass 😂.

[@tvcomputer8526]

life is all about shits and giggles and ol exs flying around on brooms, Steve you got that right bro

[@Veedub98]

Good stuff Steve. I have the rare opportunity to work on a bunch of lieberts that were built in the 70s. IBM blue was the color of the units back then. Craftsmanship has gone downhill across the board with manufacturing plants since robots and automation.

[@onthelake9554]

Robots and automation are where quality assembly comes from , design and purchasing are where the cheap crap comes from .

[@greggaieck4808]

Steven lavimonier I like your utube videos 👍👍💯💯😎💯💯

[@josephstevens2123]

Another great job from the Krusty man

[@TheTwinrabbits]

You are the best good video

[@zippythechicken]

you saved another one.. and you helped out a nice guy at the same time.. good job 🐔

[@alannewsome1729]

Wow 50 years old and still kicking. That’s good enough for this neighborhood.

[@12yearssober]

I see Tranes from the 70's quite often here in Naples. They were built to last back then.

[@skidmarkman321]

Those old GE units used 2 transformers, one was for RC for Red Cool and RH for Red Heat, modern units using 1 transformer require the RC and RH on the thermostat to be jumpered.

[@maukamaki]

nice job steve!

[@doms8903]

"Chicken little" 😂

[@glennfranklin4523]

wait now i didnt see a license number on your truck for cobweb cleaning lol......amazing how old that unit is and still working stuff back in the day was so much more reliable. We have a small Kenmore top open freezer in our basement that we bought used 30 yrs ago never had a bit of trouble out of it......great work bt

[@JHACbiz]

We just replaced a GE a few weeks ago that was from 1981. Had the big white plastic top that I kept. The compressor blew it's cork...prior maint company "serviced" it every year but the coil was filthy.

[@timbodtoolman7025]

Nice fix 👍👊🏻😎

[@CB-dx6hy]

I love it...." I'm not going in there, it's full of cob-webs!!" Lmfao thank you Steve I needed that...

[@geoffreyyoung5419]

So I worked for Trane many years ago. Prices put good equipment put honestly most equipment made today in America is very high quality. That's coming from a Canadian

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

The main problem is they are all filled with Chinese components, the switches and the contactors are what fails.

[@geoffreyyoung5419]

@@UNUSUALUSERNAME220 good point

[@matthewbeddow3278]

They certainly don't make them like that anymore 50 years old and still running I wonder if it's the original compressor? Great video, thank you for making these videos I enjoy them all very much.

[@johndaniels5801]

WOW! They don't build them like that any more! I just replaced an entire HVAC system Bryant. And the old one was also a Bryant 16 years old, it was still running but needed an upgrade. As i was starting to replace items. Evaporator coil was replaced when it was 10 years old on old unit also. Take Care!

[@12yearssober]

No they don't.

[@WeatherNut27]

Like traveling back in time! Very cool to see how they made things..and without extra protection

[@walterbrunswick]

protection ?

[@GlenS123]

Had 42 G.E. mid 70's split system heat-pumps 7.5 - 20 tons on a building. About 4 are left, most lasted 40 years. Didn't replace a single capacitor on any of them, everything was made in America.

[@suspect_fb]

Yeah right lol

[@SeanBZA]

Caps lasted because they were filled with PCB oil, so till the rubber seals rotted out they would be fine. Once the rubber rotted the oil leaks, and the paper and foil burns up soon enough.

[@waynespringer501]

That antique Goodman can't be stopped!

[@BlueDinnie]

🤯 I remember my grandpa working on those when I was a kid...

[@scriptureplz9045]

The Amana system I installed 20 years ago is still going strong (I'm retired HVAC tech), but have been thinking of changing it out this Fall during cooler weather. I honestly can't decide whether that would be wise or not, especially after seeing this.

[@skrt_n6518]

Don’t do it yet, I would wait to see how the new units coming out in the next few years perform with the new refrigerant. Changing a system out that’s still cooling well for a r410a system right now with equipment shortages and high prices is not gonna be worth it. I’m a current HVAC Tech

[@williamj1969]

I agree. I have a Trane BYC & struggling with replacing it or not. I’ve put a compressor in it 2 evap motors & 2 condenser motors. Just did a good cleaning & she’s blowing cold. Might have just talked myself into keeping it 😂😂😂

[@dantesinfernopurgatory7826]

@@williamj1969 As the saying goes: If it ain't broke, don't fix it - maintain it.

[@williamj1969]

@@dantesinfernopurgatory7826 our saying is “tote a note or tote a wrench”.

[@broken1965]

Next level Stevo dont want no black widows hitch hiking

[@craignehring]

I have an old carrier roundie, sure paying her dues this summer

[@stangaloski4208]

I've worked on many of them old ge units. Never replaced one. Just motors and those gigantic capacitors. That thing will outrun all of us.

[@Dicofol1]

Steve have you ever used the Bluon TdX 20 Refrigerant, R458A, R-22 replacement, any opinion on it?

[@duanewilson3941]

I just replaced my 32 year old Heil ac last week. It was running fine but my wife wanted it replaced. My guy recommended a Concord so that's what we did. 3 1/2 ton

[@w.miller7282]

Is the bluon replacement refrigerant for r22 any good ?

[@jackedwards7420]

Actually Trane didn't take over GE until some time in 1982 so unit is 40yrs old max. but that's still a long time! I was installing Lennox units back then, they were a real crap show: banks of capacitors instead of single caps, defrost boards that cracked with temp changes or if ya looked at em wrong! Carriers with those funky copper to aluminum compression condenser connections that cracked leaking like sieves!! Westinghouse package units with dual squirrel cage blowers you had to disconnect from transition and turn around to replace!! Everything was just going printed circuit boards and nothing worked right! Nightmare time to be A/C tech!!

[@markschommer7407]

Remember Mom and Dad had a Heil from 1983(First system in the old house) and that thing was junk too. The 1991 Trane they replaced it with is still running in the house next door(They tore my house down).

[@scurfie2343]

Imagine if there was annual maintenance done on this unit. We had 2 Tranes that only lasted 12 years. Replaced with Tranes and we do have them serviced yearly and I hose out the condensers every year too.

[@MrMopar413]

Awesome, I have a Sears 3.0 ton unit maybe bigger , the system holds 149 oz of R-22 that was built by Copeland 40 years ago still works fine. I give a little TLC every year on the first start up of the season.

[@edwardmartinez9459]

Sears did not make anything but the sold the best American made products!

[@ericfraser7543]

33:00 Whats going to happen to that piece of cardboard if it gets wet, it that is 240V it is going going to conduct electricity. It would have been better if you wrapped those conductors with some electrical tape before you installed that relay.

[@brosephgnarballs]

Or just moved the reset over like an inch lol

[@danwittels5542]

Good job fixing the old girl! If that was the first time she needed gas, she may have many years left in her. Love the old stuff!

[@steveo7624]

those were great units

[@user-xk5so7wb2t]

Wow, haven't seen/ workied on theses in 15+yrs. Brings back a lot of memories. Damn pumpkin compressors are bullet proof. Now for Amp draw... now that's a different story. (a pure piggy) lol

[@russelhancock5718]

Them Spiders might want You for lunch.

[@buckwilson4167]

Incredible

[@jonathankohl6264]

Great video. What is the name of that digital sensor for your gauges? Thanks

[@gtzgreatride]

Steve what's your thoughts on these supposedly drop in replacements like R407C? Snake oil or a horizon to be tried?

[@christopherhulse8385]

That unit is as old as iam!

[@markbeiser]

I haven't seen one of those in the wild in a few years. Looks like someone already screwed up the compressor capacitor setup for the trickle crankcase heat. There is supposed to be 2 capacitors, one that stays energized all the time, has a bleed resistor on it, and has that fuse in the circuit with it. The other gets placed in parallel with it when the contactor pulls in. The wiring of that contactor is interesting too, one pole just switches power to the run and start windings of the fan motor, the other pole does the run lead for the compressor, and brings the 2nd compressor run capacitor into the circuit. One leg of the line voltage connects directly the common leads for the compressor and fan motor, the other leg goes to both poles of the contactor. I've had to deal with the aftermath of coworkers getting the wiring wrong on them a few times over the years.🤣 I actually carry one of those GE contactors on my truck, but it has been at least 5 years since I've needed it.

[@BartlettTFD]

Steven, The old 220 volt residential standard was replaced DECADES ago‼️The standard residential voltage is 240 volts and 120 volts.

[@user2C47]

A lot of older people insist it's 110/220 and won't hear anything different.

[@stephenanderson4549]

Steve love your videos i wish i was in shape i would come out and work with ya!!!!!!!’

[@Bub61fd]

Good going Steven// I’m glad you put your Big Girl Panties on/ and went down in basement- thanks lot of content!

[@harrygilbert4593]

Very great training video. Probably not a moneymaking call but a little troubleshooting goes a long ways. Nice work and Happy Belated Birthday.

[@RG-ue9qu]

“Hey chicken little” 😂😂😭

[@1marcelfilms]

Built to last

[@TXh2oman1z]

My parents bought a new house in Houston, TX in 1966 with a GE condensing unit just like that. I was 11 yo at the time. I grew up and moved away and did not pay much attention to their house but in 1997 I was visiting and commented to my dad that the unit was 31 yeas old and not very efficient. He said his ac guy was keeping is going and it was fine. My dad was an executive and made very good money but grew up in the depression and was cheap. My mother did not work but she did the books and paid the bills. I told her they could save a lot of money on the electric bill, (remember Houston) if they put in a new unit. My good friend was a HVAC guy in the area and he replaced the GE with a Trane system and the electric bills in the long Houston summer was over $200 less a month in 1997 dollars. After that anytime my dad was being a cheapskate on something she brought up the AC in the argument. It really pissed him off. LOL Keeping old units running does not always make sense,

[@jimw7550]

I live in Houston and have a 20 yo 5 ton RUUD. My electric bill during the summer is at most $220 per month. I calculated that my cooling cost is $846 per year. I keep my house at 75 degrees. Five years ago, my HVAC guy wanted to install a 16 SEER system for $10,000. I would have saved $210 per year.

[@TXh2oman1z]

@@jimw7550 How about apples to apples which is almost impossible. You’re air-conditioning unit is 20 years old and more than likely is 10 seer or greater. When it was installed 20 years ago it was 36 years newer than the one I was discussing . The air conditioning I was talking about was 31 years old in 1997. It was replaced with a unit with a 13 seer rating . My parents electric bill was reduced from 400+ dollars to 200+ dollars a month In the summer. As you will note that is very close to what you were paying and their system was a 5 ton as well . The unit that was originally installed in 1966 that Was at best a 5 seer and it was 31 years old. I live near Galveston . My house is 1500 ft.² My electric bill last month was $183.95. I used 1687 kW. My house is fairly efficient but I could use a little more insulation in the attic. The system at my house is 12 years old and is a 14 seer 2.5 ton unit. It is running at optimum performance. I keep it very cool in my house, generally around 72-73 in the day and 69 at night. My condensing unit is drawing 8.2 Amps When running Plus the air handler fan which I have not checked the amps lately . Pretty damn efficient. You must keep your house very warm as that has everything to do with how much electricity you use. If you never turned your air conditioning system on during the summer your electric bill would be very low so you’re not using any science with your statement. My electric bill is around $35 in the winter with gas heat. You can only compare your electric usage to you or an identical house and Ac. You cannot compare it to other people as there are many many variables involved from one house to another and system to system. Your electric bill has nothing to do with my parents house...

[@electricalron]

That's so old that they used EMT conduit because flexible seal tight didn't exist yet! Btw, those tan handle CH breakers, when they trip they turn FULL OFF. This is by design. Just FYI.

[@jeffdickens7019]

Steven I'm about halfway through the video and I'm going to go ahead and comment that unit is Dead on arrival

[@rodneyskinner7741]

Hello Steve!

[@petermei4083]

what happen if the cardboard gets wet ?

[@richritchie5434]

I said to myself the same thing, I would individual each terminal leg with black electric tape

[@jeffwerchan724]

I have 2 old GE units that are very similar to that trane.

[@meileperrone6393]

Those roto lock compressors were tough to kill!

[@mph5896]

Town house complex I grew up in had those. Built in 1971-1974, the buildings were. As of 2 years ago I would say 75% of those old condensor a still were operational there.

[@donhorn548]

That is an unusual unit. I’ve run into a few about 30 to 35 years old but nothing close to 50 years

[@brianmoore5498]

pound of r-22 in 50 years? wish i could buy that machine today. great layout, easy to service at waist high, if they were still made like this hvac guys wouldnt get knee replacements. sure didnt look like a shit show or crusty to me. looked like good thick usa steel with zero rust. what happens to the r-22 you reclaim when you changeout?

[@Veedub98]

If its not acidic..keep it for another job. If it's acidic..then take it to the supply house. Some guys in the d.c. area will sell it once it's cleaned and filtered thoroughly.

[@MegaDysart]

@@Veedub98 that's definitely not legal, not that I give a damn what uncle Sam says I can or can't do but definitely don't advertise that you're reusing refrigerant that you took from another job. Can only use it for the same customer, can't resell and r22 can no longer be reclaimed is has to be destroyed. Ridiculous

[@johnbipper4601]

I went in a crawl space filled with spiders, I got bit on the leg. Its been 4 years and I still have a red bump from it that itches like crazy sometimes. He don't mess around, no spiders for him 😆.

[@jeffdickens7019]

Hey Steven I thought all the dinosaurs have already been deceased

[@pixelatedmushroom]

I have one of these (they were GE, was bought by Trane) and the fan motor runs very loud like this. Does putting in a new 1/3HP fan help the noise?

[@RodBeauvex]

Motors and blades have to be matched. HP vs number of blades, pitch of the blades, and how much resistance the coils put on the air flow.

[@edwardmartinez9459]

Nothing stops aTrane! Not even time!

[@gocubsgo5055]

Except that time they used a rust inhibitor! I do prefer to work on the trane over anything else though!

[@jorgegomez973]

Hi Steve. How did you find out is it a 2 ton condenser. I’m the model I saw 36 and I thought it 3 ton