cheekychimp
Well-known member
Okay after looking into this a little more closely and speaking to a few members via PMs, it doesn't really look like a DIY A/C system is going to be any more efficient than the factory one. Obviously I am putting a lot of strain on my A/C because my cars live in unshaded car park spaces all of the time they are at home, I live in an area of high humidity and temperatures in the summer regularly surpass 33 degrees celsius or 90 degrees fahrenheit.
Any ideas on improving the A/C efficiency. I've been looking at a few possibilities.
(1) Increasing the efficiency of the stock system
SUCTION LINE HEAT EXCHANGER I have seen this company advertise before but can a SLHE really improve the system efficiency?
I also see that some residential A/C manufacturers employ water rather than air cooling. Would a water-to-air heat exchanger take more heat out of the system and improve the A/C efficiency?
OR could I install one of those water sprayers like they use on intercoolers for race cars? It would probably use too much water to allow me to run it all the time but I am thinking that on start up it might help get initial cabin temperatures down ... thoughts?
OR
(2) Add a secondary system. 12V electric A/C compressors do exist! I know hybrid vehicles like the Prius also use electric A/C compressors but I am not sure that these use a 12V DC power supply and may be run off the vehicle drive batteries.
Whilst somewhat complicated, I am thinking a small additional electrically driven secondary system could have benefits. When the vehicle is running a secondary system remote (possibly trunk) mounted could feed air into the vehicle via the rear parcel shelf. Venting/airflow for the condenser/heat exchanger could be an issue (unless an water-to-air solution was installed). It is also feasible (subject to power draw) that the A/C system in the rear could be run for short periods whilst the vehicle was stationary with the engine switched off to comply with idle/emission laws.
I know this is an issue that doesn't concern most of you guys but over here cabin temperature is critical to enjoying driving the car. Any thoughts? Some people swear by water-to-air intercoolers. Is it worth looking into replacing the condenser with a water cooled one?
Paul.
Any ideas on improving the A/C efficiency. I've been looking at a few possibilities.
(1) Increasing the efficiency of the stock system
SUCTION LINE HEAT EXCHANGER I have seen this company advertise before but can a SLHE really improve the system efficiency?
I also see that some residential A/C manufacturers employ water rather than air cooling. Would a water-to-air heat exchanger take more heat out of the system and improve the A/C efficiency?
OR could I install one of those water sprayers like they use on intercoolers for race cars? It would probably use too much water to allow me to run it all the time but I am thinking that on start up it might help get initial cabin temperatures down ... thoughts?
OR
(2) Add a secondary system. 12V electric A/C compressors do exist! I know hybrid vehicles like the Prius also use electric A/C compressors but I am not sure that these use a 12V DC power supply and may be run off the vehicle drive batteries.
Whilst somewhat complicated, I am thinking a small additional electrically driven secondary system could have benefits. When the vehicle is running a secondary system remote (possibly trunk) mounted could feed air into the vehicle via the rear parcel shelf. Venting/airflow for the condenser/heat exchanger could be an issue (unless an water-to-air solution was installed). It is also feasible (subject to power draw) that the A/C system in the rear could be run for short periods whilst the vehicle was stationary with the engine switched off to comply with idle/emission laws.
I know this is an issue that doesn't concern most of you guys but over here cabin temperature is critical to enjoying driving the car. Any thoughts? Some people swear by water-to-air intercoolers. Is it worth looking into replacing the condenser with a water cooled one?
Paul.