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Date:         Fri, 14 May 2010 09:07:55 -0500
Reply-To:     Ry <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ry <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: A/C work question
Comments: To: mcneely4@cox.net
In-Reply-To:  <20100513170613.4047U.365532.imail@eastrmwml32>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks guys. Seems I'll be dropping the radiator at same time as condenser and replacing the two coolant hoses to it since I have them on hand. Seems the best time to do it is now.

cheers, -Ry http://www.google.com/profiles/rylincoln

On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> Thanks Keith > > ---- Keith Hughes <keithahughes@q.com> wrote: > > On 5/13/2010 1:13 PM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote: > > > ---- Keith Hughes<keithahughes@Q.COM> wrote: > > > but you'd be miles > > > > > >> ahead if you replaced the stock condenser with a newer cross-flow > > >> style. The stock condensers are really inadequate for use with 134-A > if > > >> you live anywhere hot (like here in Phoenix AZ). You can get > conversion > > >> fittings/hoses and a new condenser for about the price of a new OEM > unit. > > >> > > > Keith, please tell us more about the "cross-flow" style condensor, such > as where to get it, and exactly how it is better than the original. I live > and travel in hot places, and I am converting my camper AC system to 134-A, > along with searching out a leak and hopefully repairing it. If I need a new > condenser, perhaps I should get one of these. > > > > > > Thanks, David McNeely > > > > > David, > > > > The cross-flow styles are a combination series-parallel design that use > > higher surface area to internal volume tubes like the radiators do. > > They have multiple tubes paralleled together that dump into a common > > manifold that then does through a second set of paralleled tubes before > > exiting. The number of parallel/series modules depends on the size of > > the unit. In addition to the higher surface area, the flow rate in the > > tubes is significantly lower (multiple paths instead of one serpentine > > tube) allowing more residence time and greater heat transfer. They are > > typically made out of aluminum, and the biggest downside is that the > > tubes are quite small, and they cannot be effectively cleaned. The unit > > I used was under $100, so if it clogs, replacement won't break the bank. > > > > I got all my stuff from Arizona Mobile Air (www.ackits.com) since > > they're here in Phoenix, but there are a number of places on the web you > > can find similar units. Search for universal cross-flow condenser and > > you should find quite a variety. If you go that route, source out the > > largest you can find that'll fit, 'cause you'll need all the surface > > area you can get when you switch refrigerants. You might consider > > getting two 17W x 12H units (IIRC, the stock is 17W x 19H), and stacking > > them in series. You'll need a short connector hose fabricated, but that > > configuration will give you about the maximum size you can fit. I was > > never able to find a single unit that was the right size. I used a 17W > > x 15H unit which was the same surface area as the old one (I had the > > early split condenser - smaller than what you have), and the R-134A > > performance is slightly better than it was with R-12 and the old > > condenser. Next time I get ambitious, I'm changing out to the dual setup > > to increase capacity. I'd hate to see what the performance would have > > been with the old condenser. > > > > Keith Hughes > > '86 Westy Tiico (Marvin) > > -- > David McNeely >


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