Expert: Rodger Knutson - 2/3/2009

Question
Could youplease let me know what year a Ideal dispenser co. model 85 was manufactured. The ser.# is P25786.Do you know anyone in texas that might work on the cooling part. Compresser may be bad.  THANKS!
                                 peking

Answer
Hi Peking,

The Ideal 85 B was made from the late 40's thu to the late 50's, no actual year then this information, that I can find. It Pre-cools 72 and vends 78 bottles. it's 37 1/2 inches high, 45 1/2 wide, 27" deep and the weight is about 350 pounds! Value is about $175.00 for this chest cooler but Restored it's value is $1,100.00. I am not a vending machine kind of guy so I don't know the people who work on these, but I would look in the phone book and call some vending machine operators and ask them who could fix an old chest slider, or maybe call some HVAC people, (Heating and Air Condition) and maybe they know an old timer who know old air conditioning. Also check under amusement machines, these dealers know how to, or where to go to get there old stuff fixed. Also on the Internet you should find a ton of dealers and restores.
Thank You
Rodger