Re: Frigikar air conditioning in my Packard

Posted by HH56 On 2014/5/21 9:19:59

Does anyone, with a historical perspective, know if "Frigikar" has any relationship to "Frigiking"? A Google and Wiki search seems to mix and match, making the names almost synonymous. Both seem based, if you look at the name plates on the units, in Dallas, TX.

According to a chart made by by Popular Science magazine in the mid 50's, Frigikar was the manufacturer and Frigiking was a brand made by Frigikar.

What is interesting is in that same PopSci chart they said many of the AC companies including Frigikar made units for all mfgs except S-P and American Motors -- yet there are several of the units supposedly not made for an S-P car installed in a Packard. Does make one wonder what exactly the chart meant when they said no units were available for S-P cars -- something styled and labeled for a brand like the unit NOVI made for S-P or if the not mentioned cars had to use universal fit items and a dealer did the fitting and engineering.

On the substituting a Packard heater motor there is a caveat or two. The unit pictured with the two blowers needs counter rotating motors. Packards motor only runs in one direction which looking at the shaft end is CCW if memory serves. If the motor that is out is the one that is bad, a Packard item may not work. I believe that blower on the right will need a CW motor. Another item to consider is shaft size. Packard heater motors are 1/4" and being that unit has two blowers, it probably is too -- but perhaps not. Many AC units had slightly larger motors and a shaft size of 5/16".

Another option if the motor has to be replaced is to get a universal heater motor such as this one It is a permanent magnet motor and reversing the leads will make it run in either direction. The shaft size can be accommodated with an adapter if there is a mismatch to the wheel.

EDIT: Here is more history from the book "Boy! That Air Feels Good" by Rod Barclay. Frigikar was started by the owner of Dallas dealership Lonestar Cadillac in the late 40's. It started as a one off for a customer. Unlike prewar, the dealer couldn't get postwar AC units for this customer or any info from the factory on future availability. Not knowing the future plans, he decided to built his own units he could sell with his cars. After a few of those sold in his Cadillacs more people with other cars wanted AC so he started the company Frigikar to make, sell, and install units. Frigiking came later as a different model in the line and ultimately became the company offering.