I've been working with a company out here in the West trying to help them develop one of their products for hot rods and old cars. Its a highly efficeint self-contained air-conditioning system, thats modular, and needs nothing up in the engine compartment. The unit works pretty well, but I was trying to figure out a low-buck way to cleanly (thats relative!) get the cool air up front. Ah- the wonderful things the imagination can conjure up at my local Home Depot!: Two inch sewer pipe with 90's for face adjustment of the airflow! The units been out there for some time, but we met the guy at SEMA, and I told him this unit would totally fit the bill due to its compact, trunk mounted design, and nothing to clutter up an engine compartment. The best of both worlds. It'll be another few month's before it gets my okay. I'm waiting for the dog days of summer to really put it through its paces. The unit is so effiecient though, it'll run for about three-four hours on low on a back-up battery!!! With its remote, you can walk the swapmeet, turn it on from afar, then walk back to your car to cool down, never even starting your engine!!!
This could be big here in Vegas. How is the heat vented out of the car ? How many $$$ are we looking at ?
Sure, your setup looks pretty sweet, I mean who wouldn't want one of those in their ride? However, in my vintage rides, I have an A/C crank located on the door that looks much cleaner. Rotating it opens a fresh air portal in my side of the car, allowing my arm to protrude, thus dropping my body temp and increasing both comfort and coolness factor. For those that think NorCal is the reason my A/C works, rest ***ured, I have used this same A/C unit in Phoenix, Az with similar results.
Obviously, its not for everyone. It will fit under the rear package tray of most 50's-60's cars. I have the Nova wagon, but it makes it easier for me to play with it. Its very early in the R&D stuff. One of the more cool aspects of it is the weight. It weighs about half of what a standard system comes in at on a car. Plus, it can be transferred to another vehicle. They are somewhat universal in design. It does not currently have a heat mode. When tested, they found it to not work better than a cars normal heater. Today, I'm going to install the stainless cover, and tidy up the hoses that run to the outside trans cooler/heat exchanger.
if you could work out a version that is small enough to fit above the rear axle in the trunk on cars and had a heater too, that would probably work out really well. I have a 60's ford, all my AC and heater stuff is gone, it would be nice to just pop in a unit and have it work. Also, it might be good for guys with smoothed firewalls, or wanting to keep the race look in the engine compartment. Does it kill the alternator though? Seems like you'd have to have some serious juice to run it.
Zoo, I've been working on a similar system in Michigan. I can ***ure you that it WOULD have worked the last few months but I never found the temp to quite reach the point of needing to cool down. Come those 3 or 4 days in July, I'll prove it out!
Clean sewer pipe!! Max amp draw, on start-up topped at 37 amps, then started ramping down, as the compressors are variable speed controlled. There are already a few items I can see a need for improvement. I'll make suggestions, either they listen, or they tell me to no.
i have that too but mine must be broken cause during the summer when i crank mine on it feels like someone turned on a hair drier..
yey! I'll buy one. My wife hates old cars in summer because without air con they are "impractical" or some rubbish if i have afforadableish air con I'll be being "responsible" and won't have to buy a toyota
See, mine is adjustable for hot or cold. When it's hot, turning the window crank, er..I mean "A/C control" forward helps drop the interior temp. However during colder winter months, the A/C control also works in conjunction with the headers (also known as "the heater") by turning the handles in reverse, shutting off the "A/C" and allowing the p***engers to ride in a toasty environment. It's also been a very reliable system and is eco-friendly since it isn't necessary to fill my system with any of those ozone-killing chemicals. I do occasionally lube the actuating system (my arm) with a frosty beer that I keep secured in the "cup holder" (on the driver's seat between my legs whilst cruising).
I personally have made every effort to make my car as unpleasant as possible for Mrs Zookeeper. It's low, loud and harsh. There is no stereo, nor any other creature comforts. I prefer to think of my car as an "escape pod", capable of freeing me from both adulthood and the life-****ing force of my marriage, She either sees things my way or stays home, it's win-win and I'm not about to start Toyota-shopping.
Are you using an electric motor to run the compressor? Has your company considered a brushless motor to reduce the size, increase the electrical efficiency?
Danfoss variable speed controllers. While the brushless motors would be ultimate, they are still somewhat cost prohibitive. I've never had A-C in any of my hot rods. So- this is the first time for me. Its a bit on the fun side due to the fact its a challenge to try and make it all work in a car. The cars a rolliing work in progress anyhow, so don't think I could hurt anything by strapping sewer pipe up into the roof under the new Rustoleum Hammertone finish!
My 53 XK120SE was ordered with "Air Conditioning" from the factory..and now has improved flow. The factory air Con as listed is..a heater with two doors to direct heat. The improved flow..is no top..no side or rear windows.. But..in 110*+ Arizona heat.. I drive at night.
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