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Post by birkie on Aug 23, 2017 2:04:22 GMT
I found this little DRA2 on craigslist which I think I'm interested in: washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/atq/d/1927-e-monitor-refrigerator/6268055798.htmlsheeplady thinks it's cute, it'd fit well in her office. I contacted the seller, and noticed a few red flags: - He's a dealer, doesn't know its history - Says it works, but "might use a top off of Freon, as these usually do" - Says it "was painted a long time ago", including the porcelain - No freezing block, and just the one shelf (although it's the one that curves under the evap). No chiller tray. - He kept saying how valuable these things are, "cleaned up it'd fetch $1200-$1500" So I'll assume it's near death, the paint is hiding something, and he's poised to make a good profit (not that there's anything wrong with that). On the other hand, it's fairly nearby (2.5 hr drive), will fit in my car, is cute, and we might be close to finding an alternative refrigerant for it. Did I also mention the wife finds it cute? I'm actually more comfortable rescuing cheap wrecks that need work, but I think I'm going to go for this one. Will ask to see it run, and if it rattles horrible (or doesn't really work at all), use that to talk the price down. As it stands, given how much it seems to cost to ship things, the price might not be so bad if it turns out to be decent in person. Anyway, Just looking for thoughts and moral support.
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Post by sheeplady on Aug 23, 2017 2:22:32 GMT
I find it cute. I vote (demand) you go get it. Guys if you talk him out of it...
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Post by elec573 on Aug 23, 2017 2:34:48 GMT
Personally I like it but I think it's overpriced . Travis is the one to consult on this .
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Post by Travis on Aug 23, 2017 2:37:13 GMT
I already have two. I have a very soft spot in my heart for DRA's.
Now, if someone finds the tiny DR2, I am gonna get it.
I'll have to take comfort in the fact that my Leonard is on the way.
It's overpriced in my opinion. It's missing both straight shelves. DR's do like to commit suicide. I would offer $200-250 if I were wanting it.
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Post by coldspaces on Aug 23, 2017 3:43:43 GMT
It looks pretty good in the pic, gotta like those early cabinets. If the tall control is already broken be sure to tell him how hard they are to come by.
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Post by blackhorse on Aug 23, 2017 4:07:27 GMT
I have to agree that it's cute.
I also agree that I don't trust the seller any farther than I can throw my truck. What's that mess on top of the dome? And what happened to that bonged-up unit behind it? And how stupid is he taking you for; freon? Really?!? As a dealer he surely knows better, sounds like an excuse.
But I think you have the plan; a detailed inspection, powered up. Then everything you know is a bargaining chip. $450 is only a starting point.
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Post by birkie on Aug 23, 2017 11:48:05 GMT
Yeah, a dealer with dollar signs in his eyes. As a bonus, he happened to mention all the interest he's been getting in it. But anyway, we'll see how much he backs down. There's a lot of dings against it already. If it works out, this would be our second DR, and the first one not to be rescued from being scrapped.
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Post by ckfan on Aug 23, 2017 15:42:06 GMT
I'm on the "it's cute" wagon. But beware. That's how I bought my pig in a poke. Thoroughly check the cabinet for water and wood damage. Check for rust too. Also, make sure it starts and runs at least. It sounds like it either has a restriction or has leaked out like mine did at the evaporator suction line. You can almost bet that this cute little baby will require lots of expertise, time, and money. Not that I'm discouraging you or anything...
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Post by Travis on Aug 23, 2017 15:54:20 GMT
Get it Birkie you know you want it
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Post by birkie on Aug 23, 2017 19:12:22 GMT
They still have it, called today to arrange to see it. It's from a house cleanout, apparently. My spidey senses are tingling: "I bet 95% of people would like it as a showpiece and don't even care if it works". I bet they were paid to get rid of it.
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Post by sheeplady on Aug 23, 2017 19:16:36 GMT
They still have it, called today to arrange to see it. It's from a house cleanout, apparently. My spidey senses are tingling: "I bet 95% of people would like it as a showpiece and don't even care if it works". I bet they were paid to get rid of it. Urgh. I hate cleanout places.
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Post by birkie on Aug 23, 2017 19:41:11 GMT
We'll see what happens. I doubt he's going to budge, though. The area in general is fairly wealthy. It's more of an ethical thing than a monetary thing from my perspective, at least.
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Post by elec573 on Aug 23, 2017 19:50:43 GMT
Good luck and keep us posted
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Post by birkie on Sept 3, 2017 4:27:13 GMT
We got it. goo.gl/photos/WcX3pWC8Baj7RFT98I had business in Baltimore on Friday, and threw an engine hoist in the car just in case. My meetings ended later than I had hoped, but I gave the seller a call anyway. It was a couple hours out of my way, and it was late for a Friday, so I didn't think it would happen. But he *was* there, willing to meet me late, and was flexible on the price. It was in decent shape.. nowhere near perfect, but better than I thought. Very cute! It was smooth and almost silent when we turned it on (he was concerned that it wasn't running!), but a vigorous boiling could be heard from the evaporator less than a minute later. After about five minutes, it started to get a bit of a rattle. It hadn't been pre-warmed, so I shut it off at that point. No serious rust or corrosion except for the bolts on the evaporator plate. There was some mildew on the evaporator that wipes off, and some minor rust where the liquid line goes into the back of the evaporator. The bakelite backbone of the control was also in good shape, no cracks! It had a serial number tag on the fins (287,155), and lacked a rebuild tag, so there's no evidence that it's been rebuilt. The little brass information plate says it's a DRA-2 form D. If you look close, it has a funny shape after the "D" stamped in it The trim was intact and didn't have too much damage, just some corrosion with age. The porcelain had been painted with a paint brush at some point, then it looks like someone started stripping it. The top was similarly painted with a brush. We'll see what's underneath... He didn't know the top came off, nor realized how heavy it would be. It was still in the same location left behind by the (deceased?) former owner. We ended up needing to use the engine hoist I brought. It made short work of removing the top. We put the top in the front seat, and the cabinet and hoist in the back. There was plenty of room to spare! Driving through DC to get home was the worst part.. the drivers there are so unpredictable. I had to slam my brakes at one point, due to a car that dumped a load of cloths all over the beltway, but everything survived quite well. It was a rainy day today, so I didn't have a chance to unload it yet. I didn't have time to run it long enough to see if the float works....
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Post by timeswelding on Sept 3, 2017 13:27:22 GMT
Great score! I'm glad that you ended up with it. It appears to be in very nice condition. You got especially lucky with the undagamed tall control. Congratulations.
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