Air King 9214 14 High Velocity Fan | Tear Down for Cleaning and ServiceJordan U2026-09-29 | Air King 9214 14 High Velocity Fan | Tear Down for Cleaning and ServiceEmerson Quiet Kool Pickup for @TheAirConditionerGuyJordan U2024-05-18 | Retrieving an Emerson Quiet Kool air conditioner for @TheAirConditionerGuy.Filthy Holmes HAWF2020N Twin Window Fan | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-05-18 | The initial checkout of an absolutely filthy Holmes twin window fan model HAWF2020N. I believe this is a product of the late 90s. This one is high hours and was probably never cleaned, as was the case with most of these since they are nearly impossible for the average user to disassemble due to the poor design of the accordion panel's clips.
Despite all the dust and lack of service, it's still operating fairly well and moving some air. I was expecting it to move hardly any air at all.General Electric 50 and 90 Watt Double Life Halogen BulbsJordan U2024-05-18 | A set of 4 unusual General Electric branded halogen light bulbs, in both 90 and 50 watts form factor.
The 90 watts bulb has an 'incandescent equivalence' to a 100 watts bulb, and the 50 watts bulb has an 'incandescent equivalents' of a 60 watts bulb. This is rather odd as it puts the efficiency of the 2 bulbs at completely different levels, as opposed to a linear relation like most other bulbs. The lumen ratings provided do put the bulbs on the higher end of the scale of what a typical 60 watts incandescent bulb produces.
The bulbs appear to be typical halogen bulbs in the sense that there's a small halogen capsule inside the outer glass that makes it look like a regular light bulb. The abnormality here is that the outer glass is extremely thick, it has a similar feel to a glass soda bottle.
As would be expected from halogen, the quality of light is excellent. No flicker, no harshness or glare, and proper color rendering. The lifespan of the bulbs is claimed to be 2,000 hours, which is about twice that of a typical halogen bulb.
I'm unsure of the age of actual manufacturer behind these bulbs, but I suspect they may have some age to them.52 Hampton Bay St. Claire Ceiling Fan in Antique BrassJordan U2024-05-17 | A 52" Hampton Bay St. Claire ceiling fan in antique brass finish installed in my living room.Air Conditioner Cleaning: AirTemp (Fedders) CIV08S2AC 7,600 BTU Casement UnitJordan U2024-05-16 | Cleaning an AirTemp (Fedders) casement air conditioner model CIV08S2AC.Curbside Finds 5/14/2024Jordan U2024-05-15 | Inherently the curbside bulk pickup day in one of the local towns was this week. I was unaware of this and didn't have my camera with me at the time of discovery, so unfortunately there is no video of the actual scavenging. Here is a look at what was recovered from just a few streets. It's absolutely absurd how many working items in good, usable condition were discarded. The majority of this should have been brought to a local Goodwill for reuse.Casablanca 4 Seasons 84U9D 52 Ceiling Fan Installation and TestJordan U2024-05-15 | Installing and testing a Casablanca 4 Seasons 52" ceiling fan model 84U9D.Lasko 2138 Reversible Twin Window Fan With Thermostat Control | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-05-14 | The initial checkout of a Lasko 2138 2-speed electrically reversible twin window fan with temperature control. A rather quiet fan with decent air flow, it definitely shows some promise.Stained Glass Frog LightJordan U2024-05-13 | A stained glass frog light.General Electric 28223EE-3 DECT 6 Cordless Phones with Digital Answering System | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-05-13 | The initial checkout of a set of General Electric DECT 6.0 cordless telephones with digital answering machine model 28223EE-3.Galaxy 4733 Box Fan from 2008 | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-05-12 | The initial checkout of a Galaxy branded box fan model 4733. This is more or less the same as the Lasko 3733 box fan. The Galaxy branded units were sold exclusively at WalMart and were exceptionally inexpensive. This one sold for $12 and change in 2008.Stained Glass Lighthouse LightJordan U2024-05-11 | Stained glass lighthouse light.Hampton Bay 52 Windward in Polished Brass (Air Cool CMF-52) From 1990Jordan U2024-05-11 | A Hampton Bay branded, Air Cool manufactured, 52" ceiling fan in polished brass model CMF-52. The model name was Windward. The unit was made in February of 1990.
Hampton Bay had a tendency to reuse model names over the years. This is one of the odd cases where this Windward looked absolutely nothing like the Windward models to follow. This is a classic GE vent ceiling fan, one of my favorite styles. Despite much of the negative commentary Hampton Bay branded units receive, this is of very good quality build and is surprisingly powerful for an economy model.Scam Calls 4/2024Jordan U2024-05-10 | A compilation of some of the scam calls I received during the month of April, 2024.Air Conditioners Running 5/8/2024Jordan U2024-05-10 | A showing of the air conditioners running during the evening of 5/8/2024. The outdoor temperature reached 78 degrees over 89% humidity that day, the warmest day so far this year.
Conditioners featured: -1987 Amana Cool Zone 5P2MY 5,400 BTU -1993 Kenmore (Whirlpool) 106.8760694 6,000 BTU -1988 Carrier International Series 51GMA228301 27,500 BTU
A total of 38,900 BTUs, or about 3.3 tons of cooling capacity.
All units featured utilize R-22 refrigerant.Vintage Lamp From The TrashJordan U2024-05-10 | A vintage lamp I got out of the trash that came with a General Electric 60 watts incandescent light bulb.Changing the Ceiling Fan in the Studio 5/8/2024Jordan U2024-05-09 | Changing the ceiling fan in the studio on the evening of 5/8/2024.Spring 2024 Air Conditioner Re-Tests: Fedders AUP05F2K and Amana 5P2MYJordan U2024-05-08 | Spring 2024 Air Conditioner Re-Tests: 1) Fedders AUP05F2K 5,400 BTU 2) Amana 5P2MY 5,000 BTU
Last year, it seemed as though these units had leaked the charge. I should have known better as that's a very rare occurrence. A re-test this year, allowing more time of operation, reveals both units to be in good working order.
Granted it did seem like it took an excessive amount of time for the head pressure to accumulate. I wonder if a test run in a few days will have the same results, or if the machines will charge up within a more reasonable time.
I suspect this may have something to do with the oil moving through the lines, perhaps as the compressor wears over the years, a good coating of oil becomes required for the roller to make a good seal around the chamber and pump properly.Waykar PD160B Dehumidifiers | Spring 2024 Startup and TestJordan U2024-05-07 | Spring 2024 startup and test of the Waykar PD160B dehumidifiers. This is the second cooling season these units are going through, so far they are both still working properly. These may be the only modern dehumidifiers worth buying, they still utilize R-134 refrigerant and a linear compressor, which is very similar to a reciprocating compressor. The dehumidifying capacity is small, but the units are extremely quiet and work well for smaller areas upstairs. Not so much for very damp areas like a basement.
I'll use these for a few weeks while the weather is warm enough to not run the heat, but cool enough to not use the air-conditioners. I have obtained several vintage dehumidifiers since last summer, once I get around to cleaning and servicing those, they will replace these for regular duty.Fedders A7Q08F2A-A Buttons Not Working | Control Repair and Compressor TestJordan U2024-05-07 | This is a Fedders 8,000 BTU air conditioner from the early 2000s, model number A7Q08F2A-A. This is an exceptionally well built machine featuring a Matsushita rotary compressor, which is uncommon for Fedders products, and R-22 refrigerant. This unit is in rough condition, it appears as though it could have fallen out of a window at some point, the fan motor is locked up, and the power button on the control board is not working properly.
I cleaned the button that was not working with WD-40, followed by a rinse with isopropyl alcohol and a blast of compressed air. After fixing the button, the fan motor was disconnected and the compressor powered on. To no surprise, the unit charged up and cooled. It still needs several hours of work, but it will run again. This is a great example of why one should never total a piece of equipment just based on appearance.The Camera Falls Into an Air ConditionerJordan U2024-05-06 | The camera fell into an air conditioner. Not good!Duracraft DFT-218W 12 Oscillating Fan | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-05-06 | The initial checkout of a Duracraft 12" oscillating fan from the 2000s, model DFT-218W.Laundry 4/28/2024Jordan U2024-05-05 | Washing the bedding, towels, and clothes on the afternoon of 4/28/2024 using a Maytag MVWC565FW2 washing machine.A Great Fan - Lakewood 101 Brace Blade Box Fan from the 2000sJordan U2024-05-05 | This seems to be the most hated fan among collectors, the Lakewood 101 brace blade box fan. This is the first one of these I've found, and the first time I've evaluated one of these closely.
I was pleasantly surprised by the unit. I really do not understand what all the negative commentary about these things is for. These cost less than half of what the P-223 cost back in the 80s, and I do think it's at least half as good. It consumes very little electricity, it makes very little noise, and it moves a decent amount of air. If used properly under normal conditions, these do last just fine.Rayovac High Energy Batteries Fail SafelyJordan U2024-05-05 | 2 Rayovac High Energy AA alkaline batteries used in a cordless thermometer run out of charge safely, unlike Duracell alkaline batteries, which explode and ruin whatever they are dwelling within when the charge runs out.Toastmaster 4433A Box Fan with PSC MotorJordan U2024-05-04 | A Toastmaster 20" box fan model 4433A in gray. This looks like a run of the mill box fan from the front, but the inside of the unit is far from standard. This houses a 1 amp PSC motor, as opposed to the 2 amp McMillan or Edison shaded pole motors typically found in these fans. A side to side comparison is certainly in order to confirm, but this doesn't seem quite as powerful as the shaded pole motor ones. I believe this is a very rare configuration. While I am not too familiar with the lineup of these Toastmaster fans over the years, I've seen quite a few and never found one like this.4 SMC SF-16 Oscillating Stand FansJordan U2024-05-03 | A total of 4 SMC (Shell Manufacturing Company) 16" oscillating stand/pedestal fans model SF-16.Staircase RepairJordan U2024-05-02 | Fixing the staircase attached to the deck. Ultimately there is too much rot and the supporting boards will need to be replaced soon. This should buy us another year or two.Hampton Bay High Velocity Floor FansJordan U2024-05-02 | 2 Hampton Bay branded high velocity floor fans, 20" and 12" in size.
The 20" model is an SMC product, model SVF 20. It is dated April 2002, and was likely stocked at The Home Depot for the summer of 2002. It is an unbelievably powerful fan, quite possibly the most powerful 20" high velocity fan I've tested. There is still a descendant of this model in production, the iLiving ILG8F21 "Turbo High Velocity Fan", and while it is an excellent product by today's standards, it's definitely not as robust as this one in the video.
The 12" model is a Patton product, model HBF 12. It is dated April 2001, and was likely stocked at The Home Depot for the summer of 2001. There exists a Patton branded equivalent in a different color scheme. This unit has among the best startup sounds I've ever heard, especially for a small fan.
It's odd to me that Hampton Bay chose two different manufactures to make 2 models of fans that quite possibly sold side by side on the same shelf the same year. I am unsure of how long each was in production. I recall seeing the 20" model at the The Home Depot many years ago in the 2000s, but not the smaller 12". Patton did produce a similar 14" model, I am unsure if it ever surfaced under the Hampton Bay brand or not. The Hampton Bay brand is the The Home Depot's store brand and is sold there exclusively.Carrier International Series 51GMA228301 27,500 BTU Air Conditioner | Spring 2024 Test In WallJordan U2024-05-01 | Testing the living room air conditioner in Spring 2024 -- a 27,500 BTU Carrier International Series conditioner from 1988. The machine utilizes a Japanese Toshiba rotary compressor with R-22 refrigerant. It started up properly and within a few minutes of operation was outputting 40 degrees air and a solid stream of condensation. The unit is ready for it's 36th cooling season.Lasko 3720 Weather Shield Box Fan | Spring 2024 StartupJordan U2024-05-01 | Turning on the Lasko 3720 WeatherShield box fan from 2013 or 2014 for the first time in the 2024 cooling season. I bought this new quite a few years ago now, I believe in the Winter of 2017. I've used it extensively in the bedroom window at the old location.
The only service I've done is blow the dust out of the motor with compressed air. The motor developed a rattle sound on cold startup several years ago, but the bearings are still free and the noise goes away after a few minutes of operation. The handle has broken on both sides and will need to be repaired again. Otherwise the unit continues to run strong.Fans 4/29/2024Jordan U2024-04-30 | A showing of the fans in use during the evening of 4/29/2024.Dayton 4C154C 24 2-Speed Fan Tested at Full PowerJordan U2024-04-29 | The previous video of this Dayton 4C154C 24" 2-speed pedestal fan only showed it running at low speed due to the damaged switch. Here we will demonstrate the unit at full power.Spring PeepersJordan U2024-04-28 | A loud chorus of Spring Peeper frogs in the back yard, one of my favorite sounds of Spring.I Found a Fedders Air Conditioner RemoteJordan U2024-04-28 | I found a Fedders air conditioner remote at the Goodwill that looked like the one for the Maytag air conditioner I showed a few weeks back. The remote itself appears to be working in the sense that it's transmitting IR signal, however the Maytag air conditioner does not respond to the remote. It must be for a slightly different model.Busted Chair, Hi My Name Is Pizza | Scam Calls 3/13/2024Jordan U2024-04-27 | Busted chair and scam calls 3/13/2024.From the Archives | March 1, 2008: 1940s 9 General Electric Vortalex FanJordan U2024-04-27 | From the Archives: Recorded in the afternoon of March 1, 2008. A video of my 9" General Electric oscillating Vortalex fan from the 1940s.Lighting in the Bedroom 4/2024Jordan U2024-04-26 | A showing of the lighting in the bedroom as of 4/2024.
Featuring the following light bulbs: -(3) 23 watts (100 watts equivalent) EcoSmart branded CFLs. -(4) 25 watts Feit Electric inside-frosted incandescent appliance bulbs. -(1) 14 watts (100 watts equivalent) Amazon Basics branded LED bulb. -(1) 11 watts Bulbrite decorative string incandescent bulb.Gate FreakshowJordan U2024-04-25 | After repairing a number of pieces of the fence, the gate blew open and broke again.Lasko 3723 From 1998-1999 | First TestJordan U2024-04-25 | Testing a Lasko 3723 Premium Box Fan from 1998-1999. This is a rare model which features the shaded pole Marco motor. This was found still in the box, but the cord was severed off. It appears as though it may have been removed by blunt force in some type of accident.
The fan does run, and it appears to have no hours on it. Oddly the medium speed seems messed up, which is a common issue I see with these Marco motors. I used to think it was due to high hours of operation, but clearly that's not the case here.Replacement WindmillJordan U2024-04-24 | After being unable to find a replacement blade for the old windmill and learning that the whole unit itself is relatively inexpensive, I opted to buy a new windmill for the yard. It appears to be more or less the same product as the old one, but the blade has gotten considerably cheaper.
The blade still utilizes ball bearings, but there is no grease port. The bearings are so stiff that they just spin on the shaft, so the bearings don't move and the whole assembly spins as if was a sleeve bearing apparatus. The blade is also severely out of balance
Today was very windy, and I came home to an awful squeaking sound in the yard. I applied a few drops of oil onto the shaft and now it spins much more freely and without squeaking, but the ball bearings still aren't doing anything. I don't think the oil fix will hold for long on something that gets wet. Time will tell. If it proves to be an issue, I will likely have to replace the bearings.Late Night Air Conditioner Pickup | Late-1970s White-Westinghouse AC and Many HPS Street LightsJordan U2024-04-24 | Making an unexpected and unplanned trip to pick up a very late 1970s White-Westinghouse (WCI) 6,000 BTU air conditioner in absolutely mint condition with low hours. The machine itself is kind of unusual, it must have been made very early on during the White Consolidated Industries takeover as the design is more similar to the colorless Westinghouse models made earlier in the decade.
The trip itself turned out to be a very nice route, largely on a freeway still lit with HPS (high pressure sodium) street lights. Unfortunately the HPS units appear to be getting replaced by LED as they fail, but at least that's a logical transition as opposed to discarding all the perfectly good working units to replace with LED.Cleanup After Installing The Lithonia Light Vapor Tight Fixtures DownstairsJordan U2024-04-23 | Cleanup after installing the Lithonia Light vapor tight light fixtures downstairs.SMC TF-6 6 2-Speed Fan | Initial CheckoutJordan U2024-04-23 | The initial checkout of an SMC (Shell Manufacturing Company) 6" 2-speed desk/personal fan model TF-6. It is likely a product of the late 1990s. The unit is extremely high hours and the bearings are starting to show considerable signs of wear, resulting in very noisy operation due to the excessive play. I'm surprised it's worn down as much as it has, the shaft size is very large for a fan this size.
These were nice fans. Very powerful and quiet. Having grown up with the SMC TH-12, I've always taken a liking to SMC fans.Oil Change 4/2024 and Fix Stupid Oil Drain PanJordan U2024-04-22 | Vehicle service 4/2024 and fixing an oil drain pan with a horrible design.Installing Hunter 27182 Ceiling Fan/Light Controls for Kitchen and Dining Room Ceiling FansJordan U2024-04-22 | Installing Hunter 27182 ceiling fan speed and light dimming controls for the ceiling fans in the kitchen and dining room.
I installed one of these controls in the living room a few months ago to replace a Westinghouse UC9031. The Westinghouse branded control was absolutely awful, so perhaps this Hunter control seemed substantially better, only by comparison.
This install was rather frustrating, as the units came without an instruction manual or any indication of what the wire colors are for. Apparently the blue wire, which on the fans is the light, is for the motor, and the red wire which is typically switched for the light, goes to the fan motor.
Had it come with a document that stated what the wires were for, or labeled it in some other capacity, I wouldn't really care about this. But to deviate from the standards and not indicate how it works is really unacceptable.
There is an inconsistency with how the two units dim the light. One of them dims down all the way, while the other only goes down to about 25%. I suspect there's probably a way to adjust the trim of the dimming, but since there's no instructions provided, I'm not sure how it works. Or perhaps there's no adjustment and this variance is simply a result in poor quality control.
Regardless, the current setup is an improvement from the way it was before. Perhaps some day I will come across a pair of vintage controls which work a lot better, or perhaps the setup should be changed to a 4-gang box with separate controls for the fan and light.Box of Vintage ToolsJordan U2024-04-21 | A box of vintage tools and a few other miscellaneous items.Lights of America 7020 20-Watts T8 Light FixtureJordan U2024-04-21 | A Light of America branded 20w T8 fluorescent light fixture. This is a very cheap and cheesy fixture, likely made in more recent times. It doesn't seem to indicate where it was made, unless it had one of those little gold made in China stickers that has fallen off over the years. It utilizes an instant start electronic ballast which is very poorly made and has an awful power factor. The fluorescent tube is a F17/T8 tube with a 4200K color temperature and a claimed color rendering index of 60.
It's a piece of junk compared to what Lights of America used to make, but at this point, anything fluorescent is worth saving. I think I will install it in the garage under the cabinet.Installing a 3-Way Dimmer Switch for the Kitchen LightJordan U2024-04-20 | Installing a 3-way dimmer switch for the kitchen light.2 30 Craftmade Piccolo Ceiling Fans in WhiteJordan U2024-04-20 | 2 30" Craftmade Piccolo ceiling fans in white that I installed at work.