Help with Partial Outage in NY
- Thread starter cqueen40
- Start date
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
In this day and age, I understand your problem. But what @WD-40 posted is correct. You're in a building that was not designed for any air conditioning. Built in 1931 Window ACs went even invented.
Back then you had a refrigerator and a toaster, and the stove was probably gas. no microwave, no dishwasher, disposal etc. Should the owner have up graded the wiring 50 or 60 years ago? Yes. But they didn't.
Back then you were lucky to have 1 receptacle in each room and a pull chain light.
cqueen40
Member
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
- Occupation
- Investment and Public Policy
Thanks, LL has finally agreed to electrician recommendation that they install a new wire with more amps from the basement to my apt. Initially, he was worried that they would have to break down walls and ceilings. Not sure if this still is a consideration but waiting on the plan from the electrician. I am only on 3rd floor and one electrician said you could run a line through a window
cqueen40
Member
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
- Occupation
- Investment and Public Policy
My landlord is telling me the following. Does this make sense? Is a riser going to solve the problem? Doesn't he need to run new circuits?
From LandLord
I got 2 license electricians to inspect the premises and the condition, they came to the conclusion that there might be a option of running a new riser up to your apt. panel box and there's a 50/50 chance that things will get better, but cannot guarantee that it will even get any better as the building is old. The cost is over $6000. We would consider doing it for you (to try make you happy) on condition that I don't hear any more complaints about this issue
From LandLord
I got 2 license electricians to inspect the premises and the condition, they came to the conclusion that there might be a option of running a new riser up to your apt. panel box and there's a 50/50 chance that things will get better, but cannot guarantee that it will even get any better as the building is old. The cost is over $6000. We would consider doing it for you (to try make you happy) on condition that I don't hear any more complaints about this issue
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Well, 50/50 is better than nothing but I would have thought they could give better odds if they know the issue is between the floors.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
I think this is a cover yourself comment. I certainly wouldn't guarantee my recommendations will provide a perfect solution 100% of the time.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Not asking for a 100% because the building has issues from the POCO on in. No one can fix that. But to say we can only give a 50/50 chance from there on up to the 3rd floor, nope. They aren't trying. Then again, I don't know what you get for $6000 in NYC. That may be a couple #12s.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
You as the electrician can say your actions solve the problem 99% of the time, but the owner and tenant are only concerned with their specific issue.
You either fixed or it didn't, that is 50/50 odds.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
It certainly wasn't when built.
I don’t believe an AC is a “required appliance”
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
@cqueen40
Your original post stated the 5000 btu unit will run and the 8000btu unit will not and when the 5000 is on the lights will dim. If that is the case and they get 2 circuits to each AC and run a new feed from the basement that should solve the problem if that is what they are doing.
Getting new power from the basement up 3 floors can be easy or very difficult. It can be done if they are willing to spend the $$ time and effort to do it.
Running it up the outside of the building as you mentioned is possible as well. Going through a window isn't sounding good but it depends on the situation.
Your original post stated the 5000 btu unit will run and the 8000btu unit will not and when the 5000 is on the lights will dim. If that is the case and they get 2 circuits to each AC and run a new feed from the basement that should solve the problem if that is what they are doing.
Getting new power from the basement up 3 floors can be easy or very difficult. It can be done if they are willing to spend the $$ time and effort to do it.
Running it up the outside of the building as you mentioned is possible as well. Going through a window isn't sounding good but it depends on the situation.
Joethemechanic
Senior Member
- Location
- Hazleton Pa
- Occupation
- Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
@Joethemechanic Thanks for that! Imagine what that would be worth if any survived!
Joethemechanic
Senior Member
- Location
- Hazleton Pa
- Occupation
- Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
Yeah I'm in the middle of remodeling my 2 upstairs offices and was looking for replacements for my two 1980ish Gibson through the wall units. (damn things weigh about 200 pounds each) and somehow I came across that picture about a week ago. When I saw 1931 building I had to go back and look again.
Here are some 1952 offerings from the big players at the time.
I wonder when air conditioning loads started to be a serious design factor in buildings
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
My first job out of school I worked for an oil company who also did refrigeration and air-conditioning. They were a York distributor back in the day and sold everything from ice machines, roof top units , window units etc. I started in 73' and we had a few customers with York window units from the 50s' still running. Back then York (like many others) made quality stuff that lasted.
Not like todays Chinese junk.
Not like todays Chinese junk.
Joethemechanic
Senior Member
- Location
- Hazleton Pa
- Occupation
- Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
My 1980ish gibsons have been cooling this office addition they put on the building in 1980. One is still working. One just went bad with some kind of ground fault in the compressor. I was going to fix it but I had to pull it out of the wall to get the cover off and it weighs so much. Not to mention the bottom of the pocket it slides in is 8 feet off the floor. I had to use a tripod to get it down. Good thing I got that knot tying badge in the Boy Scouts in 1970ish. It's only a 10,000 BTU unit and it had to have weighed 200 pounds. The replacements are like 60 or 70 pounds. I just didn't want to have to get that 200 pound monstrosity back up there so I just ordered a new one
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
It may not last as long, but will be seriously more efficient. You may be able to hear yourself think as well.
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
@Joethemechanic
Yes I just replaced one. Mine is a 12000 btu in my condo . Bottom of the unit is 65"aff. I used to pull it out of there myself it's about 80 lbs and I used to do it with no issue. I just turned 72 and I didn't want to try it myself anymore had to get help. getting old sucks.
Yes I just replaced one. Mine is a 12000 btu in my condo . Bottom of the unit is 65"aff. I used to pull it out of there myself it's about 80 lbs and I used to do it with no issue. I just turned 72 and I didn't want to try it myself anymore had to get help. getting old sucks.
Joethemechanic
Senior Member
- Location
- Hazleton Pa
- Occupation
- Electro-Mechanical Technician. Industrial machinery
Yeah I'm 64 and have a torn Achilles tendon that makes ladder climbing a challenge. Plus getting hurt when you are older hurts a lot more and seems to last a lot longer
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
It does give us something to talk about with the guy that we can't remember who the heck is.