Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 14:26:27 -0600
Reply-To: Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Dramatically Improving AC capacity
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I like this idea the best so far. The thing is, just adding another
evaporator is not going to increase the heat rejection capacity any - you
need more compressor power for that.
Marshall
> All,
>
> I've, been toying with the engineering idea to integrate a second AC
> unit into the front heater/fan unit. The air blowing in or pulled by
> the squirlcage fan would flow through the AC fins just like the
> heater core. This would alow for no interior modifications and the
> use of all the existing front vent system. But rather than blowing
> warm outside air it would blow cool conditioned air .... just like
> all the other frigin vehicles!
>
> The trick is two fold:
> 1) Tapping into the existing high and low pressure AC hoses up front
> by the radiator. Also refilling the system for the increased
> capacity.
>
> 2) inserting the AC evaporator into the the stock front heater unit
> in a way that will fit under the dash and still allow existing
> vent/heat to operate.
>
> The engineering of connecting a front and rear ac unit is not too
> hard since this is done on US Cheby vans. Just a T connection and a
> regulator valve.
>
> The hard part is to identify a potential area of void in the existing
> heater unit and duct work and to find an evaporator that will fit.
> The rest is a glue job.
>
> Just my thoughts on AC improvements.
>
> Joel
> 89 Syncro Westy
> Rochchchchchcester NY. at a cool 38 degrees this morning
>
>
> --- Marshall Ruskin <mjruskin@HOME.COM> wrote:
> > Hi Volks:
> >
> > The one deficiency remaining unresolved with our Vanagons - is the
> > inadequate capacity of the AC system, and I'd like to start a
> > thread dealing
> > with remedying that.
> >
> > Problem:
> >
> > The AC capacity of our Vanagons is inadequate to reject the amount
> > of heat
> > to necessary to maintain passenger comfort on very hot and humid
> > days.
> >
> > Background:
> >
> > Many of us have worked hard to improve our AC system's efficiency,
> > both by
> > improving the thermodynamic efficiency and by improving the
> > airflow, and
> > that's great. However, on very hot and humid days - it is barely
> > adequate
> > but usually inadequate for complete respite from discomfort.
> >
> > Discussion:
> >
> > There are several approaches to improving the AC system available:
> >
> > 1. increasing the capacity of the existing system;
> >
> > 2. installing a higher capacity system to replace the existing
> > one;
> >
> > 3. Installing a secondary AC system to provide additional
> > heat-rejection
> > capacity;
> >
> > 4. Alternative approaches not listed.
> >
> > Each of these approaches is a compromise between cost (including
> > time), ease
> > of implementation, reliability and likelihood to meet performance
> > requirements.
> >
> > Action:
> >
> > I request that specific ideas be brought forward from the list, and
> > that
> > these ideas be framed by the points 1 - 4 above. By framing the
> > ideas as
> > requested, we can keep the discussion organized.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Marshall Ruskin, 84 Westy
> > Aloha from Winnipeg!
>
>
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