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

[Steve]

Adding some facts into this thread.

The CR AC will run off of the 3.2 90amp stock alt. What happens at idle is the compressor will cycle a lot more almost instantly. I have the CR(WSOP) in my 77 targa and if at a light for more than a 1min 30 sec it will cycle. If I keep the revs higher than 1500 it will not cycle off. Also, you will be limited by how much you can force the compressor to work. If memory serves me I have pulled close to 90amp blasting the AC and other 911 functions during peak times.

Now, the half kit is probably the best setup unless CR has developed 914 specific kit. The half kit is only including the compressor and 1 fan/condensor. You will still need to figure out the evaporator and blower. Ideally you could hook it into the aftermarket 914 underdash setup.

If you wanted to use the CR kit with a 4cyl, I think it could be done with a higher output 90amp alt OR even better is the HO alt kit that I have seen on here before. I want to say it was a 200amp bolt on kit. That would generate a ton of needed power for the setup.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) but Classic Retrofit is not the same setup as mine. As far as I know they use the same compressor, but have a simple on and off switch that connects to a sophisticated proprietary computer controlled controller board that monitors the alternator and current draw in the car. Mine is a traditional cheap hot rod setup. I can run the compressor continuously or use the evaporator temp control to cycle it. The only safe guards in my system is the binary switch on the dryer and an 80 amp breaker on the compressor.
There sophisticated compressor is $3700.00 versus mine was under $1000. PMS builds 914-6 AC systems using CR. You get what you pay for. I’m a low budget hobbyist. https://www.classicretrofit.com/en-us/colle...t-ac-compressor

[nditiz1]

Steve, I didn't know you built a setup. That is pretty great and for a 1/4 of the cost.

I agree CR stuff is overpriced.

[mepstein]

Steve, I didn't know you built a setup. That is pretty great and for a 1/4 of the cost.

I agree CR stuff is overpriced.

Especially these days. When the new model comes out with heat, I bet the price will go up quite a bit.

[mepstein]

@Steve
Steve - Where are you mounting the condenser and fan?

[Steve]

@Steve
Steve - Where are you mounting the condenser and fan?

Funny but I have played around with mounting a Griffiths condenser in front of the oil cooler with typical spal fans pulling air through the cooler and a floor mounted condenser and fan. I think the Griffiths condenser worked better and takes less room in the trunk. It’s all about the cooling capability of the condenser and air flow through the condenser That’s why some people that have the CR electric setup run two condensers.



Griffiths condenser https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/16052626-9115...PYaAiqMEALw_wcB

Southern rods condenser https://www.southernrods.com/cooling-and-he...-fan-combo.html

[Steve]

The only issue I am dealing with now is I used a 4 gauge crappy non copper Amazon Chinese stereo amp wire from the compressor to the battery in the engine compartment. I should know better…. The wire gets hot and blows the 100 amp breaker, even though according to my amp meter never gets over 70 amps. I ordered a 100% copper 2 gauge cable to see if it solves the problem. Stay tuned… Otherwise both condenser options worked, but the Kuhl / Griffith condenser in front of the oil cooler was about 5 degrees cooler..

[Steve]

@Steve
Steve - Where are you mounting the condenser and fan?

On another note.. the latest PMS build put the CR compressor where the 914 battery was and put a smaller battery in the rear trunk. They installed a special condenser and fan in front of the rear passenger side tire cavity. They somehow ducted air from the rocker panel into it. They also installed the special CR center 914 console evaporator. Very nice custom setup that was probably a small fortune. I have no idea if they would sell any of these parts separately. They are not on the web site. I reached out to CR awhile back and they said they do not sell these parts.

[mepstein]

@Steve
Steve - Where are you mounting the condenser and fan?

On another note.. the latest PMS build put the CR compressor where the 914 battery was and put a smaller battery in the rear trunk. They installed a special condenser and fan in front of the rear passenger side tire cavity. They somehow ducted air from the rocker panel into it. They also installed the special CR center 914 console evaporator. Very nice custom setup that was probably a small fortune. I have no idea if they would sell any of these parts separately. They are not on the web site. I reached out to CR awhile back and they said they do not sell these parts.

Do you have pics or is it something you saw in person.

[Steve]

@Steve
Steve - Where are you mounting the condenser and fan?

On another note.. the latest PMS build put the CR compressor where the 914 battery was and put a smaller battery in the rear trunk. They installed a special condenser and fan in front of the rear passenger side tire cavity. They somehow ducted air from the rocker panel into it. They also installed the special CR center 914 console evaporator. Very nice custom setup that was probably a small fortune. I have no idea if they would sell any of these parts separately. They are not on the web site. I reached out to CR awhile back and they said they do not sell these parts.

Do you have pics or is it something you saw in person.

It was a temporary Instagram PMS video of a customers car. It’s no longer there.

[mepstein]

I bought a CR unit to put in my 914-6. The evaporator/ blower won’t fit in the front like a 911 so I was just going to use an in cabin unit like yours.
I do appreciate you mentioning the PMS install so I can think about options. I was also thinking about the evaporator in the front cowl if I made a custom enclosure and spaced the fans off to the side, in between the evaporator and the ducts into the cabin.

Edit - I bought the CR gen 1 kit from someone who bought the kit years ago and only sat it on a shelf. Probably a third of current pricing. We’ve done a couple installs on customers cars this year. ~$6k plus install. They do work well if you attend to all the details.

[Steve]

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.

Note also the stock 3.2 alternator I think only provides around 40 amps at idle. If your stuck in traffic it won't be enough. The Benling compressor on the lowest setting draws around 40 amps + evaporator fans + condenser fans + engine electronics, etc. It all adds up.

[mepstein]

When the units first came out ten years ago, I worked at a shop that installed a couple installs 3.2’s and 3.6’s. Neither stock alternator is up for the job. Now, we specify to customers that they need to add the Wosp alternator to make the system work properly. It’s not cheap but it’s not worth spending the time and money on electric a/c and using components that aren’t adequate for the system.

*the 3.6 alternator is rated at 140 amps.