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60+ year old Trane Centravac

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totaleclipse

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Not exactly a new install, but I have to hand it to the guys that built and maintained this machine. We are replacing what is believed to be the first Trane centrifugal chiller started in Greenville, SC. Best we can determine, it was started in 1953, serial number 776, and was still in operation until we disconnected it for replacement this week. Eddy-current a couple years ago showed that the tubes are still thicker than the tubes on a new machine built today. They sure don't make them like they use to.

R-113 for anyone that is wondering.


Insulation and some sensors had been removed prior to the pictures being taken.
 
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#4 ·
Nice old machine. What's the main reason for replacement?
How many towers has she been through I wonder?
 
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#5 ·
Why are they replacing it, and what are you putting in its place? Was the chiller running somewhat decently before the tear down, or were there multiple problems with it?
 
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#6 ·
Awesome! I've seen some old ones, but that may be older than all of them. I've never seen a square suction on the evaporator like that.

Totaleclipse, if it's not too late, how about full on pics of the control panel, the oil sump, and the inside of the starter?

Thanks!
 
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#9 ·
I remember seeing a 113 chiller MANY years ago.
Since all refrigerants move similar weight of refrigerant per ton of cooling, the compressor and all gas carrying lines and passages have to be large.
How big is the old chiller?
The Navy used to favor 113 as a safety concern, never leaks OUT and is a liquid if it spills.
I would guess it is being replaced to reduce energy consumption.
And I bet it is in a school..
Low hours of operation per year makes a lower deficiency unit tolerable.
 
#10 ·
Beautiful old machine. It brings back some memories of following my dad and grandad around. Probably the oldest that I personally have worked on was from the mid 60's.

I would love to see any other pictures that you have of this old girl. Nothing that could replace it will ever be as reliable.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
It was starting to give a problem here and there, including having some leaks. That, added to energy consumption are the main reasons for replacement.
It is installed in a local TV station and is being replaced by a Trane screw chiller that has the low noise package installed on it. I'm looking forward to hearing just how quite they have managed to make the twin screws.
Model number is 100L, not sure the exact tonnage but full charge is 800# of R-113.
I was able to get a couple pictures of the starter cabinet, but the control panel had already been demo'ed by the time I was able to take more pictures. I will post pictures of the completed job once everything is complete.
 
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#13 ·
Contact Trane and send them these pic. and with photos of you next to the equipment , who knows they may use it in an advertisement about the reliability of their products . They may even throw you a bone for your effort !
 
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#14 ·
Wow. I'm thinking that's an auto-transformer starter, but it certainly doesn't look like any I've seen. Some of that wiring is confusing my poor ol' brain.

Has demo of the starter already begun in this pic?

The incoming/output wiring has my head spinning...
 
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BennyD
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