1976 Trane Torrivent

Steve Ebels_3

Looked at a 1976 vintage Trane Torrivent hung above a kitchen in a school yesterday. The zone that it's on lost circulation and the coil in the unit froze. I haven't given it more than a quick look but the thing looks like a real can of worms to work on.

Does anyone know offhand whether parts are available for this thing and has anyone here had the pleasure of working on one of these things. Are they as big a PITA to work on as it looks?

Brad White_9

Not a whole lot different

Than their older Climate Changers, Steve. Torrivents were just a less expensive version, H&V only and for make-up air or with recirculation. Single wall and not a lot of options. Not that I have worked on them but have specified them in that vintage.

If it is a coil you need, the replacement market can serve you well. Coils Inc., Heatcraft, even Trane themselves can assist. Expect some decent tin work though.

Personally, after 31 years of operation, I would look at a new unit.

The other part of this is, take a look at the current reality: What is the real need these days? A lot of schools we work on have obliterated their cooking line in favor of "warming kitchens" where prepared foods arrive from central kitchens. Without the need for full grilling, steaming, broiling, boiling, the make-up and exhaust needs are much, much less. You may get away with a much smaller unit and this means the exhaust fan too.

If you dive right in and do a nameplate replacement without assessing the current needs...(does that sound like a boiler analogy?)

You could be the hero that you are.

My $0.02

Brad

Steve Ebels_3

Did a little Googling

Found a little info there but pretty much came up dry from my call to Trane Commercial division in Grand Rapids. The guy on the other end of the line gave me the telephone equivalent of a blank stare. I'll be able to get in there Saturday an remove enough of the ceiling to access the unit and better see what the job entails.

AFA abandoning the unit goes, the maint guy said it never did heat right despite countless visits from some major commercial/industrial type shops located here. He's been there for 25 years and they basically gave up on it about 10 years ago. It is however tied into the exhaust for the dishwasher steam and provides makeup air for the non-makeup kitchen hood. With two Modutrol motors, associated linkage to a fresh air damper, the exhaust damper and the three way valve plus a control box with more relays than the Olympics.......it looks rather scary.

Ragu_5

Dr. Ebels...

What does your gut tell you on this one? Just playing devils advocate from far away. Best,Jack

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