Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:23:26 +0000
Reply-To: rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd Last <rubatoguy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Best AC Condenser Option
Great info - I just happened to see the parallel units at ackits.com. I'm trying to figure out how they would cool better since it seems that the refrigerant path is shorter. (Rather than have the refrigerant snake all the way though.) I could be wrong, but I thought the original condensers were just tube and fin - not serpintine.
Adding the barrier hoses is an excellent idea - particularly with the long hose runs in the Vanagon. (And a must if ou convert to R134a and do not want to be recharging all the time.)
regards,
Todd
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
> > Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:00:31 +0000
> > From: Todd Last
> > Subject: Re: Best AC Condenser Option
> >
> > I can't give you any brands, but using a newer generation condensor which
> utilizes the 'serentine tubing' will offer better performance than the stock
> unit. They have fewer braised joints so are also less prone to leak and better
> performance for a comparible sized unit.
> >
> > If you are an experimentor, you might want to try adding an additional
> condensor under the van to boost the cooling ability - but you would need to
> correctly calculate the amount of additional refrigerant you might need.
> >
> > regards,
> > Todd
> >
> Actually, the "serpentine" type condenser is what you have currently.
> The newer style condensers are "parallel flow". I recently installed a
> 14" x 21" parallel flow condenser after retrofitting to R-134A. The
> stock condenser just didn't cut it at all with the R-134A ('86 Westy,
> but with the '85 style 'split' condenser), and the new condenser dropped
> outlet temps by 20-25°F. At 14" x 21", it's the same surface area as
> the original '85 split condenser, but more efficient. These condensers
> (see at
> https://www.ackits.com/pc/12-0544C/Parallel/FSHE+PF+Condenser+%2814+X+21%29)
> are also well setup for easy installation in the '85 setup, with the
> side inlet/outlet ports (versus the bottom connections used by the '86
> up versions). I have no affiliation with Arizona Mobile Air (the ackits
> folks) but they were great to work with, and I had them fab up all new
> barrier hoses at the same time. Works as well now with R-134A as it
> used to with R-12 (damning with faint praise as they say, but it's
> actually usable).
>
> As for addition of a second condenser, just remember that it needs to be
> *upstream* of the receiver/drier. Easy to do if your receiver/drier is
> in the rear wheel well, but mine is in the drivers side front wheel
> well, so adding another condenser would require moving the drier and
> fabbing additional lines.
>
> BTW, if you're into the system, for whatever reason, *always* replace
> the receiver/drier. Not only does the adsorbant material get fouled
> over time, reducing efficiency, it also collects junk flowing through
> the system, and it also breaks down (particulates) after long usage as
> well. A generic replacement is real cheap ($14 for mine from AMA) so
> there's no reason to not replace it. Good luck,
>
> Keith Hughes
> '86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)
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