51. Shows Restored Rare Refrigeration System of a 1959 Cavalier C96 -also fits Cavalier's 72 model as well as 1960's early model square top Cavalier vendors! - Click here!

52. Shows the Outer Stainless Case of the Cavalier 96 and 72 evaporator - restored by our company - completely taken apart and polished to a mirror shine! - Click here!

53. Top view of the Restored 1950's Evaporator - Bolts with Four Flat head screws on upper right side of liner and lower floor of liner - not to the back of tank liner like 2004 replacement reproduction systems ! - Click here!

54. Notice the Reproduction 1959 Service Man Tags - Reproduced by our Company down to the form number at the bottom of the paper tag. No Detail is Missed during the restorations of our refrigeration systems and our Vintage Soda Machines! - Click here!

55. We not only use a Freon Blend which contains R-12 - We use a thermostat which will drop the temperature of your soda to 29 degrees - when your soda is decapped - mush ice will form near the neck of the bottle! - Click here!

56. All lines surrounding the Evaporator which have been protected inside the cabinet since the 1950.s are polished by hand to a bright shine and clear coated - all lower lines are replaced with new copper reproduction lines! - Click here!

57. Vintage Reproduction Cardboard Condensor Shrouds and Clips are purchased from Fun Tronics and installed on System! - Click here!

58. Evaporator now has a mirror shine and the original 1950's base plate is restored with the same finish applied to the vintage vendor itself! - Click here!

59. Front view of Cavalier Refrigeration System with Rare Round Stainless Cage Evaporator - This Rare system now sports a New Compressor , Wiring Harness - all new Fans and blades - all new exact replacement tags - lines - shrouds and thermostat - Our company is certified by the state to restore these vintage systems. Other Retro Mall restoration companies replace your vintage Cavalier Refrigeration system with an inaccurate 2004 reproduction system. It is cheaper and easier for these Retro Mall Restoration Companies to trash your vintage system and replace it with their Re-Pop System. Not only do they Rob your antique soda machine of it's Historical Content, they then charge you more for this service !! - Click here!

60. This Restored Evaporator reflects like a mirror after being restored by our company! - Click here!

61. Wrapped up and ready to ship by our company - We double box each system and then return ship this system to you for under 20.00! - Click here!

 
62. Ice forms on top surface of Pre-War Wet Westinghouse Water Bath- Click here!
After compressor cuts out Ice starts to float around in water until compressor cuts in again- Click here!

63. Reproduction Cold Plate for Westinghouse Jr Cooler - convert Ice to Electric!- Click here!

64. this Jr converted to Electric and screens on sides were custom made and fitted around compressor area.- Click here!

65. Wet and Dry Coolers run 24/7 at Todds Country Store - mechanically restored by our company- Click here!

66. Ice forms inside Westinghouse Wet Water Bath- Click here!

 Refrigeration
67. This category is our specialty. Here again, our attention to detail runs away from the pack. Our focus is to restore your machines actual refrigeration system to better than new condition without sacrificing all the neat distinguishing characteristics that directly affect your soda machine’s value and rarity. The antique refrigeration system itself should be treated with the same respect as the antique machine it belongs in. Every effort is made to preserve your refrigeration systems vintage appearance and characteristics during its restoration. If you have ever been to an antique car show and meet, you know that most everyone wants to see under the hood. When you open the hood on a 1953 restored or original Hudson Hornet you expect to see the big Twin-H-Power race car engine with the two red kettle-like carburetors staring you in the face.

  68. Under the Hood of a 1953 Hudson Hornet Race Car- Click here!

69. Side View 53' Hudson Hornet- Click here!

70. Our Family restores more than just Soda Machines!- Click here!

71. Hudson 1936 Hood Ornament!- Click here!

72. Our Restored Evaporators Sport Class 4 Stainless!!

73. Restored Refrigeration on a Royal Crown Cola Kelvinator 180 makes you want to leave off the Rear Cover panels- Click here!

74. Refrigeration in the bottom of a Cavalier C51 shines like new money against the Chrome Kick-plate- Click here!

75. Original Belt Driven Ice Machine Refrigeration was restored by our company in the side of this 1952 Flaker! - Click here!

76. What is good for the GOOSE is good for the GANDER and your antique soda machine is no different. With all of today’s technological breakthroughs, restoring your original refrigeration system to better than new condition, preserving much if not all of its character, historic content and antique appearance and placing a 2 year warranty on that restored antique unit is a piece of cake.
Don’t turn your antique soda machine into a STREETROD. Some restoration companies today purchase a modern solid black lower deck refrigeration system that has no antique appearance or value. Their restoration or replacement for a better word-of your machine refrigeration system involves rotating this new modern unit until it lines up with something to bolt to in your machine or they just drill a few extra holes.

  77. Shows where a replacement refrigeration was installed by another restoration company and extra holes were drilled in the bottom of a 40 year old Cavalier 96 - Extra holes were also drilled in the floor and wall of the original Tank Liner! - Had the Company Restored the Factory Original Refrigeration System which was an antique in itself - these extra holes would not have been necessary! RESTORE - DO NOT REPLACE! - Click here!

Before you purchase that new reproduction 134a unit for installation in your Vendo 81 or C-72 soda machine you should know a few facts that our competition has not brought to your attention.

1). Is the marriage between R-12 equipment and 134a equipment a good idea or can we do better?

2). How does 134a Freon compare to RB-276 Freon?

 3). How does our competitor's new reproduction 134a refrigeration system stack up against our company's vintage restored RB276  refrigeration system?

4). Why does our competition continue to restore your vintage machines and vintage R-12 systems using 134a reproduction components, POE oils, and 134a Freon?

These are questions I will answer here in great detail.

1). Is the marriage between R-12 equipment and 134a equipment a good idea or can we do better?

 134a Freon got its foot hold in today’s world by being the first so-so replacement Freon for R-12 to roll off the line in the late 1980's. In 1989 134a was the best replacement for R12 Freon much-like the 8-track tape was for the vinyl record or the Beta format was for the reel to reel.

Many antique soda machine restoration companies retain your original R-12 evaporator and capillary tube on your Cavalier 96, Vendo 81, Ideal Slider, 3 Door Victor Bar or other vintage vendor and "Marry" it up with a 134a Freon reproduction condenser or compressor.

   134a Freon is not a "drop-in" replacement for new or old R-12 refrigeration systems. Mineral oils which are superior and have been traditionally used with-in R-12 refrigeration systems are immiscible with 134a refrigerant. Freon 134a requires the use of a lubricant that is miscible with itself, such as a polyolester lubricant or (POE). Over time the inner walls of your vintage R-12 evaporator’s copper and aluminum lines naturally become coated with a wax mineral oil build-up. This build-up of wax is not recovered from the vintage evaporator during the 1st and 2nd flushing in the 134a retrofitting process. During normal operation of this retrofitted system this wax build up inside the original R-12 evaporator will erode and contaminate the POE lubricant used by the newly installed 134a condensing unit or compressor. This contaminated oil in this married 134a/R12 system is kind of like a Chinese fighting fish that has trouble getting along with its own mirror image. This refrigerant oil cocktail will form something similar to a blob-like clogging goop over time as it becomes a less efficient  refrigerant oil and less efficient as a lubricant. The effects of this R12/134a marriage will most definitely yield a restored/replaced system with a shorter life-span than a restored R12/RB276 refrigeration system in which a matching mineral oil base was the oil of choice. It is best to eliminate any and all risk of cross contamination in your vintage restored refrigeration system between mineral and POE oils. Use only replacement parts that incorporate the use of oils which are miscible with oils of the system under restoration. Do not enhance your risk of system failure.  Instead,  enhance your refrigeration system’s performance!

The 134a retrofit manual recommends that the restorer always replace the capillary tube in all R-12 systems where a capillary tube is used as the expansion devise.

   Should the restoration company that performed the marriage between your 134a lower deck and your R-12 evaporator in your Victor Bar, Vendo 81 or Cavalier 72 neglect to replace your capillary tube over the entire range of design of your vintage system, the life expectancy of your 134a/R12 married refrigeration system is even shorter. Although 134a will limp alone as it cools in your married system shortly after the retrofit and over the short term, the retrofit manual clearly states that at least two potential problems exist.

These include:

1. (Liquid flood-back and motor overload at high condensing temperatures)

High condensing unit temperatures occur when your condensing coil picks up dust from the room and becomes less efficient or your condensing fan motor is struck by lightning or a power surge causes it to fail. These elevated temperatures combined with the less efficient 134a system can cause your compressor to suffer permanent damage due to the increased head pressure. Instead of a $0 dollar cleaning or $29.00 dollar repair for a bad fan motor, you may find yourself springing for a $200.00 compressor for no other reason than you chose a 134a refrigeration unit instead of an RB276 or R12 low head pressure unit.

2. Also, loss of liquid seal entering the capillary tube at low condensing temperatures may occur in 134a/r12 married systems equipped with unchanged capillary tubes. In other words the manual states that in order to achieve satisfactory performance with Freon 134a over the entire range of system design conditions, the capillary tube must be replaced. – In plain language, if you fill your machine up to the brim with hot glass bottle soda pop and plug in your machine just a few hours before your next party, your guests will most likely be drinking warm glass bottle soda pop as your cooling system fights it’s up hill battle to catch up. Your machine’s 134a/r12 married refrigeration system will not be as efficient as it needs to be, and it may take your Vendo 81 all night and the next day to cool all 81 bottles of soda pop.

   If we all lived in a 1989 world you could just whip out your set of torches and a cylinder of 134a and get to work, but we don’t. Today there are new technologies. You can’t be the Best in the World and let your company fall behind the times. There are new and better avenues and new and better Freon Gasses than 134a. RB-276 was invented a few years ago and is not only equal to R-12; it was designed to be superior to R-12. This is the Freon our company uses in all our restored vintage refrigeration systems and the lubricant our company uses is nothing but the best – mineral oil.

 

2). How does 134a Freon compare to R-12/RB-276 Freon?

Basically R-12 and RB-276 run circles around 134a Freon. RB-276 was designed specifically to not only replace R-12 but to be more efficient than R-12. 134a Freon was designed to be a tide-me-over replacement for R-12 in 1989 until something better came along. Not only does RB-276 cool as good if not better than R-12, it creates less heat and is more efficient when operating in temperatures from 40 degrees F through 100 degrees F. A lower head pressure in your machine refrigeration system means less heat in your house! A lower head pressure means less noise in your house! A lower head pressure means that your equipment will have a longer life span! In temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, RB276 is designed to run with the same efficiency as R-12. For example on the pressure/temperature chart at a temperature of 120 degrees F the head pressure of your refrigeration system with R-12 Freon is 157.3 F and the head pressure of your RB-276 refrigeration system is only 157.5 F. 134a Freon is less efficient than R-12 and RB-276. 134a is slower to cool and compared to an RB-276 system, 134a creates more heat and higher head pressures while cooling the same amount of soda or doing the same amount of work as an RB-276 refrigeration system. This means more heat in your house! This means higher head pressure! This means high risk of equipment failure!  


 3. How does our competitor's new reproduction 134a complete unit refrigeration system stack up against our company's vintage restored RB276 / R12 refrigeration system?

Our cherry restored vintage system sports everything mechanically new from the compressor to all the lines. We hand fabricate and replace 100% of all steel and copper connection lines on all our systems with all new copper. Older steel lines are not as flexible as new copper lines. Although these steel lines may be fine and leak free when handled by experienced refrigeration personnel during the system transportation and installation, there is a higher risk of developing a leak from these types of lines. Companies, who do not spend the extra money it takes to replace these lines, find themselves chasing leaks when their staff improperly handles the fragile restored systems. We replace all connecting vintage unsecured lines with new fresh hand formed and polished copper lines in all our refrigeration systems. We replace 100% of all mechanical components of your refrigeration system keeping only top notch aluminum evaporator lines and solid steel condensers. All 1950’s antique tags, base plates and brackets that effect only the appearance of your vintage refrigeration system and not its function are restored and kept historically correct within the vintage system. You now have a bran-spanking new system which looks like the day it rolled off the Vendo or Cavalier factory line in 1950. Your system will operate on a superior mineral oil lubricant and be charged with low head pressure RB-276. 2% of the new charge to your refrigeration system will also contain a performance enhancing napthenic lubricant which will blend with the new mineral oil in your new 1950 system. This will improve the viscosity of your lubricant and your systems operation even that much more – kind of like an octane booster to your cars fuel tank.

If you take your new 1950 refrigeration system with new lines and all new parts using a mineral oil base lubricant along with a low head pressure RB276 Freon and place it beside our competitors 134a new complete reproduction refrigeration system, your RB-276 refrigeration system will out run, out last and out perform with greater efficiency the new 134a refrigeration system under equal atmospheric conditions. The high heat and head pressure created by the NEW 134a/POE lubricant system will break down the mechanical and electrical components of the new POE oil compressor as well as cause deterioration with-in the inner walls of the system’s refrigeration lines. This extra heat created by the 134a system means that the electrical wiring around the compressor as well as the fan motor with-in the condenser area deteriorates faster than in an RB-276 low head pressure system. This high head pressure caused by the 134a/POE mixture in the new system means that should your condenser area become clogged or your condenser fan motor become damaged during a storm or power surge, your system has a much higher risk of compressor failure during periods of elevated condenser temperatures. This increase heat also leads to a higher risk of clogged capillary tubes in older 134a systems as mechanical components breakdown and combine with the less efficient POE lubricant during operation. High head pressure, high heat 134a refrigeration systems have a shorter life span than low heat, low head pressure R-12/RB-276 refrigeration systems because of the increased head pressure and heat with-in the 134a condensing unit area.

Antiques are Antiques!

  Cavalier C-51's, Cavalier 124's, 144's, Vendorlator 23's, Victor Bars, Ideal Sliders, Vendo 39s, Cavalier 96's, Vendo 81's, Vendo 33's and on and on and on - all have vintage evaporators and condensers which not only have historical distinguishing characteristics, they as well compliment the inside appearance of your restored antique vending machine. Some of these vintage evaporators need to be retained during restoration to prevent the reduction in efficiency of your vintage machines cooling system after restoration.

The Easy Choice!

RB-276 is EPA accepted and is formulated to match the thermodynamic properties and operating characteristics of R-12. RB-276 does not contain propane, butane, or isobutene or R-22 and is non-flammable with an A-1 rating. RB-276 is inactive to plastics, elastomers, rubber, copper, aluminum, and steel, unlike 134a. RB-276 does not fractionate. RB-276 has been shown to contribute to energy savings and is currently in use in the United States in Reach in Coolers, Chillers, Bus Air Conditioning, Ice Machines, Plate Chillers, Walk-in Coolers, Vending Machines and many other applications including Military! 


4). Why does our competition continue to restore your vintage machines and vintage R-12 systems using 134a reproduction components, POE oils, and 134a Freon?

    For starters, 134a Freon is much cheaper than RB276 Freon and this means more money in our competitor’s pocket! Because 134a incorporates different gauges, reserve cylinders, equipment etc than RB276 and R12, more time and money would be required to convert or improve their restoration facility.  Some antique soda machine restoration companies who use unlicensed personnel to install reproduction modern units really have no other choice than to offer reproduction 134a equipment in their restored soda machine equipment since pre-built reproduction RB-276 units for vintage soda machines are not currently available.

   Our company is about being the best in the world and sometimes that means taking the extra step or going the extra mile or spending the extra dollar. It would be cheaper and much easier for our company to discard these rare R-12 antique refrigeration systems and replace them with 134a mass produced reproduction units.

5). How do our prices compare to our competitors prices?

   Our competitor’s reproduction 134a refrigeration units cost you 200.00 dollars more per unit than our company's best refrigeration restoration. Our company’s machine restorations and restored antique soda machines with Rb276 refrigerations cost you on average 2500.00 less than our competitors!

When our competitor restores your Cavalier 72 or Vendo 81 soda machine and they replace your vintage refrigeration system with a new reproduction 134a unit, what do they do with the antique refrigeration system they remove from your vintage soda machine and why do they not give this unrestored antique unit to you for free with your restored vendor? – These vintage units are sought after by many collectors. Our competitor can charge you extra for a new reproduction 134a refrigeration system and sell your vintage R12 refrigeration system to other soda machine enthusiasts.

Why pay more for less?

The new lower deck is connected to the upper deck and may or may not have a liquid line filter installed. It is hard to call that process a restoration. Most of the wiring on these modern replaced systems is usually tied up with bright white plastic wire ties which were not even invented in 1950. Your original Art deco condenser fan motor mount in your Vendo-81, your original base plate with its original manufactures tag and paper schematic tags, your original condenser on your Vendo-39 will all be discarded or even worse saved by the restorer until sold for $125.00 on eBay.

Some restoration companies discard or sell your original evaporator and equipment. Your antique refrigeration system was specifically engineered by its manufacturer to efficiently cool your specific vintage soda machine. Cabinets were vented in specific areas around their base to allow the transfer of pre-calculated amounts of heat. Each and every different type and model of antique soda machine has its own type and model antique refrigeration system with its own unique distinguishing characteristics. Every effort must be made to preserve your refrigeration systems and soda machines individuality, character and value. Our company disassembles your original refrigeration down to the original base plate. Your base plate will then be sandblasted and repainted with the original metal ID tags left intact.

78. Original tag was saved on the side of the 1952 Scottsman Ice Machine Gear Box Reducer!- Click here!

79. Our Company Stocks original Factory Service and Care Manuals which are followed to the Letter during the Care and Restoration of your Vintage System- Click here!

80. What comes out of a 50 year Old Scottsman Ice Machine Auger when it is taken apart!- Click here!

81. Reproduction Ice Breaker is hand turned out of Brass for this Restoration.- Click here!

82. Restored Ice Machine Gear Reducer! - Click here!

83. Restored Worm Shaft inside 1952 Flaker Ice Maker! - Click here!

84. Original Compressor on a Vendo 110 restored and ready to replace on the Vendor! - Click here!

85. Different View of Restored Vintage Compressor- Click here!

We will restore or replace your original condenser and cardboard shroud with an identical reproduction or new old stock replacement. The Original Art Deco fan motor support bracket will be sandblasted and painted. Our company reproduces and installs all original paper service tags, wiring schematics, warning and vintage checklist tags that would have been found on your refrigeration when it was new in the crate in 1950. All fan motors will be replaced with new identical reproduction motors. Identical replacements are still in production today for most models. All fan blades will be replaced with identical reproduction replacements. All rare fan motors will be restored, rewound and their cases and Identification tags restored. All upper connecting lines will be replaced with identical replacements and then clear coated to preserve their bright finish .

Why do we not use 134A Freon? Can you remember back 13 years ago when your car air conditioner really froze you out? I had an ’87 model AMC that would actually kick out a flake of ice once in a while. That was back in the day when soda machines and super sports shared the same Freon – R-12. Automobile air conditioners today use 134A instead of R-12. These new automobile air conditioner systems that run on 134A do not get as cold on hot summer days. 134A can corrode certain parts in vintage automobile air conditioning systems as well as your vintage soda machine equipment over time. I can also tell you that vintage R12 equipment and 134A do not mix. In order to incorporate straight 134a into your system, you should replace your system and then there is no guarantee that it will ever cool as effectively or efficiently as R12. A few years back a new blended R-12 friendly Freon burst on the scene, called RB276. This Freon is absolutely wonderful. It actually contains R-12 and 134A in a blend. This Freon works well with new and vintage rebuilt compressors and vintage evaporators and condensers. The sky is really the limit today. RB276 cools fast, reminding me a lot of R-12. Over the last 15 years, Antiquities Vending Company has operated vintage equipment using R-12, 134A conversions, MP139 Freon and RB276. By far our vintage and restored equipment containing RB276 runs circles around our 134a conversion systems. RB276 is specifically engineered to be a direct drop in for antique R12 refrigeration systems. 134A was not engineered for these antique machines and we see no reason to try to burn a wet mule. With a specially selected new thermostat that will be installed in your restored machine, your sodas will turn into mush ice when the bottle is decapped.

86. This Machine recieved a Custom Copper tub inside - Click here!

87. Inside Copper Tub of Deepfreeze!- Click here!

88. Original Liner when it was removed from Deepfreeze - Click here!

89. Reproduction Copper Liner for Deepfreeze- Click here!

90. Refrigeration lines on the Side of original tank liner- Click here!

91. New Lines are run by hand and exactly matched to the original! - Click here!

92. measuring the lines to convert a General Electric Pepsi Machine to an electric Dry Box! - Click here!

93. taking measurments to fit new reproduction copper tank liner with its evaporator - Click here!

94. Evaporator is hand built! - Click here!

95. Reproduction Evaporator is attached! - Click here!

96. New Copper liner is completed and installed! - Click here!

97. Ready to Use!- Click here!

98. Pepsi Cola General electric is now finished and on a custom Cart!- Click here!

99. The Best Ice in the World! - Picture in a 1952 Scottsman Ice Machine Bin! - Click here!

100. Contact us anytime - We have the Face of Experience! - Click here!

101. We Stock in House one of Every Vintage Bottle Machine from 1925 to the Late 70's - click here to see machines stored in building 1"

102. 36 customer's refrigeration systems were taken apart down to the base plates - base plates are then sent off and sandblasted and painted. - Click here!

103. Customers Old Compressors lay in a pile after their refrigeration systems are taken apart for restoration. Some of these compressors may be opened and restored - Click here!

104.. Antique fan motor brackets from customer's vintage systems are mounted for sandblasting and painting or powdercoating - Click here!

105. Lower deck from the 1950's restored and awaits the restoration of its 50 year old Evaporator, Restored Base Plate , Condensor - New Compressor and New Copper lines. - Click here!

106. Restored Vendorlator 27 pipe stand refrigeration available from our company. - Click here!

107. Restored Vendorlator 27 pipe stand refrigeration available from our company. - Click here!

108. Restored Vendorlator 27 pipe stand refrigeration available from our company. - Click here!

109. Restored Vendo 39 refrigeration - square evaporator edition. - Click here!

110. Restored Vendo 39 refrigeration - square evaporator edition. - Click here!