Pure Gold!

[bonneyman]

I love books. Especially old ones - especially old refrigeration books! Came across a pair of such books recently. Thought I'd share.

First up is a Gemline catalog from 1985. they were such a great company. offered parts, tools, supplies, and training materials. Plus - like most older catalogs - it includes internal parts schematics and nice technical data. Stuff that I haven't scene since my school days! I've included a few pics.

 

[bonneyman]

Next up is a residential refrigerator manual from 1948. Freon's were just starting to displace the older gases, but the book includes a fairly detailed section on ammonia absorption systems. Nice addition to my library!

 

[Corndoggeh]

I wish i had that 3rd pic when i took physics, haha

 

[jd_1138]

Yeah I also love technical books. One can pick up these books for like a quarter at a yard sale. Electricity and Electronics The Easy Way, Sunset Books Home Wiring Made Easy, Plumbing Basics, etc..

I inhale these books and they live in the nonfiction section of my book shelf for future reference.

 

[Done That]

Good stuff...gonna have to go look in the office book rack for a few oldies I have!

 

[Rockhead261]

We hired a helper back in '88 or '89. Good kid, punctual, spent a lot of time with his nose in those Gemline tech books. One day he was over my shoulder as I was finishing wiring up a split-start 3-phase compressor we had just installed and getting ready to start it for the first time. He asked me why I had crossed the phases. Sure as ****, I had accidentally crossed one set of windings.

That kid saved me from fragging a $5K rebuild and eating lots of crow. He left the outfit a few years later. Last I heard he was a big dog at a place across town.

 

[driftpin]

We hired a helper back in '88 or '89. Good kid, punctual, spent a lot of time with his nose in those Gemline tech books. One day he was over my shoulder as I was finishing wiring up a split-start 3-phase compressor we had just installed and getting ready to start it for the first time. He asked me why I had crossed the phases. Sure as ****, I had accidentally crossed one set of windings.

That kid saved me from fragging a $5K rebuild and eating lots of crow. He left the outfit a few years later. Last I heard he was a big dog at a place across town.

I hope you took him out to lunch or dinner after that. He earned it.

That round pie chart of electrical formulas looks like a good start for a shop decoration. I have a 3 ft. round aluminum tabletop I have held-onto just because it's such an unusual piece, I didn't want to scrap it out. I may have found a good use for it, seeing that chart. It would be easy to do a wrap with that chart as the visual/graphic. Only thing is, I really don't have much wall-space in my 2-car garage. There is the full bathroom in the hallway from the garage to the house, that has plenty of wall-space. I've been trying to get something mechanical on the wall in there for some time, but my wife keeps shutting me down. Since she's an electrical engineer, she might find some appreciation for this.

 

[TRWham]

It distresses me that a book from 1985 is considered old. My Stoecker "Refrigeration and Air Conditioning" book from engineering school would be about the same vintage.

 

[bonneyman]

It distresses me that a book from 1985 is considered old. My Stoecker "Refrigeration and Air Conditioning" book from engineering school would be about the same vintage.

Yeah, I know. I keep waking up and looking in the mirror wondering what happened.

Oh, and I forgot to mention I got the 1985 price sheet along with the catalog. Real eye opener when you compare how prices have risen in 30 years.

 

[bonneyman]

I wish i had that 3rd pic when i took physics, haha

I took as big a photo as I could so if any of you want to scan it and make a copy, please feel free to.

I'm probably going to go to the print shop and have it blown up to full page and then heavy laminate it and carry it in the truck. The formulas are just too helpful.

 

[TRWham]

I took as big a photo as I could so if any of you want to scan it and make a copy, please feel free to.

I'm probably going to go to the print shop and have it blown up to full page and then heavy laminate it and carry it in the truck. The formulas are just too helpful.

That chart is a main feature in Ugly's Electrical References. If you don't have one, get one.

 

[driftpin]

Consumer Price Index July 1985 to July 2108+ 238% difference in prices of goods.

So, an AC system selling for $1000 in1985 would cost you $2380 in July 2018.

https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

Yeah, I know. I keep waking up and looking in the mirror wondering what happened.

Oh, and I forgot to mention I got the 1985 price sheet along with the catalog. Real eye opener when you compare how prices have risen in 30 years.

 

[bonneyman]

I've got an old copy of Ugly's. So, it's like me!

I use the Supco 88 oil additive. The 85 Gemline catalog lists the price as $2.17 for a pint. Last time I bought some it was $7 and change for 8 ounces (1/2 pint). That converts to over $14 a pint now!

 

[rkevins]

Loved gemline when I did appliance work in the early 90's great cross-references and lots of interchangeable parts. what happened to them ? just of bankrupt ?

 

[bonneyman]

Loved gemline when I did appliance work in the early 90's great cross-references and lots of interchangeable parts. what happened to them ? just of bankrupt ?

Don't know. It was probably into the late 90's when I suddenly realized they were gone. And nobody did what they did.
Lots of consolidation going on - maybe they got bought out and folded into another company?

 

[Done That]

Don't know. It was probably into the late 90's when I suddenly realized they were gone. And nobody did what they did.
Lots of consolidation going on - maybe they got bought out and folded into another company?

Appears they went bankrupt ~2003. There is a website called ERP "Exact Replacement Parts" that references them, looks like these guys are trying to fill the void. Wonder if any of the Principals from Gemline are involved?

 

[bonneyman]

Appears they went bankrupt ~2003. There is a website called ERP "Exact Replacement Parts" that references them, looks like these guys are trying to fill the void. Wonder if any of the Principals from Gemline are involved?

Did a dealer locator search - appears they have one local store. On the far south side of town, not one I frequent much. Next time I'm in the area I might drop by and ask some questions.