Miscellaneous banter thread
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2023 CT5-V RWD / 2020 XT6 Sport / 2024 Lyriq AWD (reserved)
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Definitely a 70-72. I was going with my gut.
Hey, no worries. 69 is always a nice answer regardless the question.
But '68-'69 were the only years for the fender gills. Mine were chrome delete. And while it was a coupe it had that rack as well.
2023 CT5-V RWD / 2020 XT6 Sport / 2024 Lyriq AWD (reserved)
Joined
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7,017 Posts
Yeah, my focus wasn't on the fender gills. My bad.
It's tighter than a drum down there with the addition of closed cell foam panels, batt insulation, HVAC ducts/cold air returns, and now a fireplace. It doesn't feel at all like a basement anymore in regards to temperature variation.
An outside compressor unit took one of my two zones down yesterday, but looking at the bright side I just bumped the ground floor a few degrees and opened all the doors upstairs and all sorta' ok again. The wife might have even been found to be sleeping a few inches closer than usual. My 'amateur hour' testing brought up nothing except the 'first time ever' wrinkle of a blown fuse on the control side.
The original small privateer outfit who had installed the current units (and does all my service) wasn't available, so a clearly with-it 'Brad' came out from the same outfit in '06 that had done a bang-up job reviving my then 18yo original installation before the aforesaid replacements that same year. This Brad impressed me tracking everything down quickly while volunteering to explain his attack. Sure enough, no 24v., and he found a busted control board. A saved invoice from '15 didn't show which unit had had its control board replaced, but the part price that was $160 back then is now $1,700!
I had repeated several times to Brad that given that price my focus would likely tilt on replacing the compressor unit, and only the compressor unit. Well, I just wrapped up with a salesman from the same co. He'd first asked if he could go downstairs and I figured fine, he can get that out of his system first and then we can focus on the compressor. He quickly moved into the classic, This has all simply got to go! We'll need to replace Everything!!
Him: "Hmm, your humidifier is installed in the wrong place and we prefer bypass design v. your motorized unit. We have a great promotion right now that incorporates the humidifier into the total package."
Me: (Smiling in LOL) "Along with what sounds like the business case to replace the entire system did you receive insights from Brad yesterday encompassing only the replacement of the outside unit?"
Him: "He went over some things, but I don't remember any of the detail."
Me: (Transitioning to fulltime smiling mode)
Then his eyes lit up when he when he spied the model plate with reference to R-22.
Him: "Oo too bad. They don't even have R22 anymore, and they don't make compressor units anymore for R22."
Me: "Well Jim. That's certainly a surprise as I could have sworn these were installed using the safer and cheaper R410. Oh well, let's envision converting to R410 then, just as they do for cars from R12 to R134."
Him: "Oo too bad. R410 systems run at much higher pressures than old R22, and your old air handler can't take it."
Me: "Ok. Let's envision swapping out the A-coil with a new compatible one. That's still far less labor intensive and equipment cost than the 'all-new approach'."
Him: "We find that it costs about the same to replace the A-coil rack as it does to install a whole new airhandler."
Me: "Ok. Let's move outside to run down the compressor side of everything."
Him: Immediately leads off with, "We'll install all new linesets and whips and junction box." Then his jaw dropped and the look of abject sadness:
![Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive lighting Tread]()
He bore up well to the bad news, and spent the final stage of his presentation with a glossy 5 wholehouse proposals. Bottomline, to get anything better than my current SEER15 system will cost right at the exact same $$$$$ as both zones did 16 years ago. I'll see whether he follows through with agreeing to quote tha alternate for replacing just the conpressor. I'll gladly run the backup elements for the time it takes to rope in my go-to guy. These are Colemans, and the absolute best of everything possible then. They were an offshoot of York, but now no longer in the biz. So the biggest ? will be making sure York (and any others) will warranty when hooking up with another brand's equipment.
It took til the 5th Friday this week, but I think I win First World Problem of the Week?
The original small privateer outfit who had installed the current units (and does all my service) wasn't available, so a clearly with-it 'Brad' came out from the same outfit in '06 that had done a bang-up job reviving my then 18yo original installation before the aforesaid replacements that same year. This Brad impressed me tracking everything down quickly while volunteering to explain his attack. Sure enough, no 24v., and he found a busted control board. A saved invoice from '15 didn't show which unit had had its control board replaced, but the part price that was $160 back then is now $1,700!
I had repeated several times to Brad that given that price my focus would likely tilt on replacing the compressor unit, and only the compressor unit. Well, I just wrapped up with a salesman from the same co. He'd first asked if he could go downstairs and I figured fine, he can get that out of his system first and then we can focus on the compressor. He quickly moved into the classic, This has all simply got to go! We'll need to replace Everything!!
Him: "Hmm, your humidifier is installed in the wrong place and we prefer bypass design v. your motorized unit. We have a great promotion right now that incorporates the humidifier into the total package."
Me: (Smiling in LOL) "Along with what sounds like the business case to replace the entire system did you receive insights from Brad yesterday encompassing only the replacement of the outside unit?"
Him: "He went over some things, but I don't remember any of the detail."
Me: (Transitioning to fulltime smiling mode)
Then his eyes lit up when he when he spied the model plate with reference to R-22.
Him: "Oo too bad. They don't even have R22 anymore, and they don't make compressor units anymore for R22."
Me: "Well Jim. That's certainly a surprise as I could have sworn these were installed using the safer and cheaper R410. Oh well, let's envision converting to R410 then, just as they do for cars from R12 to R134."
Him: "Oo too bad. R410 systems run at much higher pressures than old R22, and your old air handler can't take it."
Me: "Ok. Let's envision swapping out the A-coil with a new compatible one. That's still far less labor intensive and equipment cost than the 'all-new approach'."
Him: "We find that it costs about the same to replace the A-coil rack as it does to install a whole new airhandler."
Me: "Ok. Let's move outside to run down the compressor side of everything."
Him: Immediately leads off with, "We'll install all new linesets and whips and junction box." Then his jaw dropped and the look of abject sadness:
He bore up well to the bad news, and spent the final stage of his presentation with a glossy 5 wholehouse proposals. Bottomline, to get anything better than my current SEER15 system will cost right at the exact same $$$$$ as both zones did 16 years ago. I'll see whether he follows through with agreeing to quote tha alternate for replacing just the conpressor. I'll gladly run the backup elements for the time it takes to rope in my go-to guy. These are Colemans, and the absolute best of everything possible then. They were an offshoot of York, but now no longer in the biz. So the biggest ? will be making sure York (and any others) will warranty when hooking up with another brand's equipment.
It took til the 5th Friday this week, but I think I win First World Problem of the Week?
Yes, I just hate when have to deal with HVAC system installers. Installer of my system went out of business and had 10 months left on warranty found a dealer that was allowed to warranty the system. I had to replace board on heat pump but had to pay for install of board long story short was told if paid for 1 year service agreement was not much difference between labor and agreement. So, warranty was over by 2 months and contactor went out so thought I got discount on parts tech said contactor was $325.00 and with discount because of agreement was $235.00 installed. So, when tech left, I got box and my old contactor out of trash got online and the off brand one installed the highest price found was 56.00 now the siemens contactor that was original highest price I found was $98.00. That agreement was not renewed I can use any service company now since there is no warranty on system won't use this company $235.00 for part that they probably purchased for $32.00.
Neighbors in area have had work done or replaced on their systems and prices are astronomical. Sign of time, I guess.
Plus being contactor is cheap knock off it will probably go out soon.
Neighbors in area have had work done or replaced on their systems and prices are astronomical. Sign of time, I guess.
Plus being contactor is cheap knock off it will probably go out soon.
Well, the 'compressor only' bid is in, at exactly half the cost of an entire new installation. That makes perfect sense I guess. NOT!
[EDIT-EDIT] I had to check and it's 7/12 the cost for just hooking a new outside unit to my existing system. So, Double NOT!
And BTW after checking, he's pleased to confirm (actually took the time to type it out) that my R22 airhandler will handle the higher pressure R410. What a relief as that's what's already been running in it since new.
Let's see, what else... Maximum 3-yr. warranty only, but only if signing to a $300/yr. serv. agreement. - Otherwise, only manuf. 1 yr.
Sorry sounding so negative ned, but this be more cringe-worthy after the Most Excellent 6-head 2-zone mini-split installation for my garage slash MIL apartment project last year by yet a different contractor. Yah, I really need to get my regular guy onboard or I'll have to contact that other contractor with the great rep pretty soon.
In any case, I need a Manhattan immediately.
[EDIT-EDIT] I had to check and it's 7/12 the cost for just hooking a new outside unit to my existing system. So, Double NOT!
And BTW after checking, he's pleased to confirm (actually took the time to type it out) that my R22 airhandler will handle the higher pressure R410. What a relief as that's what's already been running in it since new.
Let's see, what else... Maximum 3-yr. warranty only, but only if signing to a $300/yr. serv. agreement. - Otherwise, only manuf. 1 yr.
Sorry sounding so negative ned, but this be more cringe-worthy after the Most Excellent 6-head 2-zone mini-split installation for my garage slash MIL apartment project last year by yet a different contractor. Yah, I really need to get my regular guy onboard or I'll have to contact that other contractor with the great rep pretty soon.
In any case, I need a Manhattan immediately.
fishy stuff...........they have ya by the balls sadly, I installed myself pad mounted the outside unit , electrical, pumping down and adding the unit under my existing furnace....3K all said and done...but mine is a fairly simple setup new systems come pre-charged with refrigerant, ya hook it all up, pump it down, open the valves and your done, a talented DIY/caveman can do it
![Beard Jaw Facial hair Moustache Event]()
The best is coming as I'm just heading into the kitchen now. On a cheerful note I made a cocktails wet supplies run today, and even if the stuff inside this is only worth using to tie-dye a T-shirt the bottle at least will be perfect as a ginormous $23 candlestick holder. Wife's fizzy water for scale:
I have notice that in hospital rooms and doctor offices. Ground upinteresting the outlets are 180.... there is a damn good reason for it , but not common practice...
Yah, they want $7k to do what you did for my 3-ton unit. I just got texted 'my guy' will be avail. some time next week. He's calling tomorrow to jaw up a plan.
Yep, copy. But could that have changed in the 35 years since I built? Ever since then I've just been keeping the same way as then with all replacements and new work. Even with my remodeling the past several years and changing everything to Decora.interesting the outlets are 180.... there is a damn good reason for it , but not common practice...
I will say I have been using tamper resist. on all the low stuff. Even though the youngest g-kid is over 4yo now.
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