Electric A/C anyone?, Comments, dialog, experience? Options

[slowrodent]

OK..I've read a bunch of semi-recent articles online regarding electric air conditioning kits in cars. One was a 911 that is employing a rather pricey euro-kit and the owner seemed pleased... Most articles focus on the large current draw and the overall (in)efficiency of the kits on the whole. Yet, I can't help but feel that the 914 (tiny car) is a perfect application for such a kit - particularly if your engine can push a larger alternator. (Mine is a v6 and would have no problem doing so).. Allows you to frunk-mount the compressor and simplify the overall install (yes, big gauge wires are required, but in my case at least.. no interior exists so no worries)

Plus relatively cheap kits are waaay-abundant.

So thoughts, insights, experience? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Chris914n6]

On a car the size of a 914 the compressor won't be running 100% of the time.

[mepstein]

On a car the size of a 914 the compressor won't be running 100% of the time.

We installed some of the first classic retrofit electric a/c kits back in 2016. The pics of the orange car on the site are ones I sent him almost 10 years ago. Don’t bother trying it without a wosp high output alternator. Regardless of cabin size, using a stock 3.2 alternator is inadequate- BTDT

[Montreal914]

Regardless of cabin size, using a stock 3.2 alternator is inadequate- BTDT

@mepstein I thought I had read the 3.2 has a larger alternator, yet still not enough?

[ClayPerrine]

Regardless of cabin size, using a stock 3.2 alternator is inadequate- BTDT

@mepstein I thought I had read the 3.2 has a larger alternator, yet still not enough?

Nope. You need at least 100 amps just for the AC unit. IIRC the 3.2 alternator is like 90 amp. So you need a 190 amp alternator. I know there is a 175 amp alternator available for it, but you would need to put a smaller pulley on the alternator or a bigger crank pulley so it turns faster. That will probably make it work OK. And it will have an additional effect of speeding up the fan. Which is better in hot climates.

The alternator for a 3.6 is 180 amp. If you could use it with the 3.2, it would be ideal. but I don't think it will fit the fan shroud.

[Chris914n6]

Regardless of cabin size, using a stock 3.2 alternator is inadequate- BTDT

@mepstein I thought I had read the 3.2 has a larger alternator, yet still not enough?

Nope. You need at least 100 amps just for the AC unit. IIRC the 3.2 alternator is like 90 amp. So you need a 190 amp alternator. I know there is a 175 amp alternator available for it, but you would need to put a smaller pulley on the alternator or a bigger crank pulley so it turns faster. That will probably make it work OK. And it will have an additional effect of speeding up the fan. Which is better in hot climates.

The alternator for a 3.6 is 180 amp. If you could use it with the 3.2, it would be ideal. but I don't think it will fit the fan shroud.

Your math is off. If you use LEDs (specially headlights) and no stereo then power needs will be quite low, not the 90A of an 80s 911.
So if the engine needs 10a to run, plus 40a for the comp on low, plus 6a for the blower, plus 6a for the condenser, then you are within limits of the stock alt.

You might need to set idle at 4000rpm though...

@steve All evap units are made in China now.
Save the markup and just buy one off Amazon that fits your liking.