Ninja tips: AC systems Options

[technicalninja]

This thread is my base AC thread for suggestions, questions, whatever...

I run
https://granburyautoac.com/

I specialize in automotive heat and air conditioning systems.

I've been doing AC work since 1983 and have seen all of the changes, good and bad, that have occurred over the last 40 years.

I'm keeping the first post short as they always show up at the top of each page and if long, they clutter up the thread...

[technicalninja]

I'm running 14-16 hour days right now, 7 days a week. Customers get down right demanding when the temps are above 100...

Units that take the hot high-pressure gas from the compressor and condense it down to a high-pressure cooler liquid are called condensers.

There is no real downside to running excessively sized condensers (or dual) except weight and the requirement of more refrigerant.

Units that allow the high-pressure liquid to evaporate (rapidly) and absorb heat are called evaporators. Once again, bigger is usually better.

Being large on condenser has a larger effect on efficiency than being large on evap.

Both units are technically heat exchangers.

I'm planning on making a fiberglass 916 style front cap that gives me enough room to install a wide thin core in the bumper and NOT use the normal location, but I haven't finalized anything yet.

Clay suggested another condenser trick that I may employ. Running a small condenser inside the engine compartment ala 911 style condenser in series with a front cooler.

This will most likely KICK ASS!.

When using cheap condensers, I commonly have to correct warpage before install (make them flat) and I believe I will be able to bend a new core to the same arc as the front bumper. I haven't tried this yet, but condensers can take a bunch of straightening and not leak.

I do apologize on not finishing out this thread but what I really need to do is a series of you tube vids explaining automotive AC systems and post them on my website.
This is something I'm going to try and get done in my next slow season.

On electric compressors...
The Mitsubishi electronic compressors work extremely well but require the 600 volt battery pack to function. (Toyota Prius/Cadillac hybrid Escalade) This is too heavy and bulky for a 914. The Cadillac unit is actually mounted on the fender well and not built into the engine like the Prius one.

Clay's unit is straight 12 volt and if it works as it's supposed to it may well be the answer for our 914s.
It will require a Billy bad-assed charging system and maybe a bigger battery.
I haven't seen the unit Clay Perrine is going to use but I am very hopeful it will suffice.

One nice thing about the 914 is the tiny passenger compartment. It is half the size of a standard economy car and this makes it a butt-load easier to cool off.
Smaller parts should work well.

I've helped many Fieros turn into refrigerated meat transport vehicles.
They have tiny cabins as well and run R12.

I actually have a "spec' for the final unit in my car.
I want it to freeze my ass off on a 100 degree day, with the top OFF!
I'll be shooting for 33-34 degree vents on high blower...

[Steve]

I'm running 14-16 hour days right now, 7 days a week. Customers get down right demanding when the temps are above 100...

Units that take the hot high-pressure gas from the compressor and condense it down to a high-pressure cooler liquid are called condensers.

There is no real downside to running excessively sized condensers (or dual) except weight and the requirement of more refrigerant.

Units that allow the high-pressure liquid to evaporate (rapidly) and absorb heat are called evaporators. Once again, bigger is usually better.

Being large on condenser has a larger effect on efficiency than being large on evap.

Both units are technically heat exchangers.

I'm planning on making a fiberglass 916 style front cap that gives me enough room to install a wide thin core in the bumper and NOT use the normal location, but I haven't finalized anything yet.

Clay suggested another condenser trick that I may employ. Running a small condenser inside the engine compartment ala 911 style condenser in series with a front cooler.

This will most likely KICK ASS!.

When using cheap condensers, I commonly have to correct warpage before install (make them flat) and I believe I will be able to bend a new core to the same arc as the front bumper. I haven't tried this yet, but condensers can take a bunch of straightening and not leak.

I do apologize on not finishing out this thread but what I really need to do is a series of you tube vids explaining automotive AC systems and post them on my website.
This is something I'm going to try and get done in my next slow season.

On electric compressors...
The Mitsubishi electronic compressors work extremely well but require the 600 volt battery pack to function. (Toyota Prius/Cadillac hybrid Escalade) This is too heavy and bulky for a 914. The Cadillac unit is actually mounted on the fender well and not built into the engine like the Prius one.

Clay's unit is straight 12 volt and if it works as it's supposed to it may well be the answer for our 914s.
It will require a Billy bad-assed charging system and maybe a bigger battery.
I haven't seen the unit Clay Perrine is going to use but I am very hopeful it will suffice.

One nice thing about the 914 is the tiny passenger compartment. It is half the size of a standard economy car and this makes it a butt-load easier to cool off.
Smaller parts should work well.

I've helped many Fieros turn into refrigerated meat transport vehicles.
They have tiny cabins as well and run R12.

I actually have a "spec' for the final unit in my car.
I want it to freeze my ass off on a 100 degree day, with the top OFF!
I'll be shooting for 33-34 degree vents on high blower...

I’m running the benling dm18a7 12v compressor. Draws 60amps at the medium setting. More than enough for our little cockpits.

https://benling.coowor.com/shop/product-det...09087VFAMP1.htm

[bahnzai]

I'm running 14-16 hour days right now, 7 days a week. Customers get down right demanding when the temps are above 100...

Units that take the hot high-pressure gas from the compressor and condense it down to a high-pressure cooler liquid are called condensers.

There is no real downside to running excessively sized condensers (or dual) except weight and the requirement of more refrigerant.

Units that allow the high-pressure liquid to evaporate (rapidly) and absorb heat are called evaporators. Once again, bigger is usually better.

Being large on condenser has a larger effect on efficiency than being large on evap.

Both units are technically heat exchangers.

I'm planning on making a fiberglass 916 style front cap that gives me enough room to install a wide thin core in the bumper and NOT use the normal location, but I haven't finalized anything yet.

Clay suggested another condenser trick that I may employ. Running a small condenser inside the engine compartment ala 911 style condenser in series with a front cooler.

This will most likely KICK ASS!.

When using cheap condensers, I commonly have to correct warpage before install (make them flat) and I believe I will be able to bend a new core to the same arc as the front bumper. I haven't tried this yet, but condensers can take a bunch of straightening and not leak.

I do apologize on not finishing out this thread but what I really need to do is a series of you tube vids explaining automotive AC systems and post them on my website.
This is something I'm going to try and get done in my next slow season.

On electric compressors...
The Mitsubishi electronic compressors work extremely well but require the 600 volt battery pack to function. (Toyota Prius/Cadillac hybrid Escalade) This is too heavy and bulky for a 914. The Cadillac unit is actually mounted on the fender well and not built into the engine like the Prius one.

Clay's unit is straight 12 volt and if it works as it's supposed to it may well be the answer for our 914s.
It will require a Billy bad-assed charging system and maybe a bigger battery.
I haven't seen the unit Clay Perrine is going to use but I am very hopeful it will suffice.

One nice thing about the 914 is the tiny passenger compartment. It is half the size of a standard economy car and this makes it a butt-load easier to cool off.
Smaller parts should work well.

I've helped many Fieros turn into refrigerated meat transport vehicles.
They have tiny cabins as well and run R12.

I actually have a "spec' for the final unit in my car.
I want it to freeze my ass off on a 100 degree day, with the top OFF!
I'll be shooting for 33-34 degree vents on high blower...

I’m running the benling dm18a7 12v compressor. Draws 60amps at the medium setting. More than enough for our little cockpits.

https://benling.coowor.com/shop/product-det...09087VFAMP1.htm

@Steve
Hey Steve, any more details on your setup? I looked at the build link in your signature.
From the pictures it looks like you have been running it for about 3 years. Any feedback, things to improve or do differently? Alternator carry the load ok? It all looks pretty clean in the front trunk!
Thanks!

[Steve]

[/quote]
I’m running the benling dm18a7 12v compressor. Draws 60amps at the medium setting. More than enough for our little cockpits.

https://benling.coowor.com/shop/product-det...09087VFAMP1.htm
[/quote]

@Steve
Hey Steve, any more details on your setup? I looked at the build link in your signature.
From the pictures it looks like you have been running it for about 3 years. Any feedback, things to improve or do differently? Alternator carry the load ok? It all looks pretty clean in the front trunk!
Thanks!
[/quote]
Not much more to tell besides what I put in my blog. I bought the parts several years ago and then had health problems (new knee and shoulder). I sold the parts to 914toy and he installed them in his car. He is running the same evaporator under his dash, Benling dm18a7 12v compressor, 175 amp aftermarket alternator and 3 condensers. One in front and one in each rear fender. His works awesome. The compressor comes with a 3 position rotary switch, low, medium and high. We hard wired it to the medium setting. Low is 40amps, medium is 60 amps and high is around 90 amps. When you turn the evaporator on, it automatically turns on the compressor and all the fans on the condensers. If you google Benling DM18A7 there are multiple places that sell it. Now that my shoulder and knee is healed, I will start working on my cars again. My AC setup is only running the one front trunk floor mounted condenser. It blows nice cold air, but then the pressure creeps up and blows the 100 amp circuit breaker. I'm hoping to start working on it again by the end of this month. I need to swap the tranny in my other 914 first.