When we last left the Armstrong A/C on the Little Green Airstream, we needed to install new capacitors & the fan motor, re-install the existing fan blades on a new spindle, and then test the unit using a new thermostat. This involved electrical connections that were above my experience level, so it was up to my contractor (John Mangino of EKT Universal HVAC) to install. All of these...
Continue readingRepairing a Vintage Airstream A/C (Part 3): Replacing Parts
While my contractor, John, was researching and buying parts for the A/C repair, I needed to help him figure out how to power the A/C so we could test it throughout the process. Up until this point, I’d spent the majority of my time working on structural elements and making the interior livable, and had entrusted the systems work to my contractors. Fortunately, I’d purchased some vintage Airstream...
Continue readingRepairing a Vintage Airstream A/C (Part 2): Shroud Replacement
The original Armstrong air conditioner that was installed on my ’69 Airstream came with a plastic shroud (cover) to protect the unit from the elements. Over time, the plastic degrades, and the shroud needs replacement. In a case like this, where the company is no longer in business, finding parts can present a challenge. On top of that, when parts are not universal and need to conform to...
Continue readingNew Deal for Wheels of Steel
Working in Manhattan as a residential construction project manager, one of the things my bosses clued me into was that the further along you get in a renovation – creating pristine, finished surfaces – everything else around your work starts to look a little rougher. Such was the case with my Airstream’s vintage wheels. I’d already put a lot of work into the systems and interior, but once...
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