Thread: New 130 owner - need air con

Originally Posted by towe0609

Thanks Justin. Can you say a bit more about "plumbed in properly" - what is wrong with the plumbing in the factor arrangement?

Do you have any tips about places in Melbourne, or even Tasmania (my partners a Tasmanian and we visit regularly) that could do the job. I am attracted to the idea of a red dot unit - but worried about the customisation - especially after reading the horror stories.

I'll very much look forward to hearing how you get on with your 110.

Thanks again

Poor assembly and fitting here caused many to lose gas and become inoperative in no time, 300Tdi era Def were the worst offenders. Td5 models seemed to have better quality control. I have found all sorts of chaffed through pipes, loose connections etc etc that were all the result of poor fitment. Everynow and then I'd find a 'fender that has still got its original gas in its system from new, but it is a rare thing
This is what I am considering...

http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pa...2000_unit.html

JC

"This is what I am considering...
http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pa...2000_unit.html
JC"

Given cold air falls, makes a lot of sense.

Where would you run the pipe work? Would you custom all the pipe work, or use stock till your through the firewall, and then custom from there?

Do I need to get the ECU to know there is an AC system?

Originally Posted by towe0609

"This is what I am considering...
http://www.rdac.com/Pages/product_pa...2000_unit.html
JC"

Given cold air falls, makes a lot of sense.

Where would you run the pipe work? Would you custom all the pipe work, or use stock till your through the firewall, and then custom from there?

Do I need to get the ECU to know there is an AC system?

All of my factory A/C is gone. Every hose etc will be remade, properly. I am using a front mounted 1997 D1 A/C condenser which is already fitted with twin fans and the drier, so a nice simple arrangement for fitting and servicing. I'll be running the evaporator pipework out of the side of the roof, and down the LH of the A pillar where the rollcage upright will run. It'll be quite protected there. There is an input for A/C compressor load, not sure what ECU pin it is, but RAVE should show you. All you need to do is link signal in from A/C compressor feed to allow idle up when compressor is engaged, and activate 'A/C fitted' in the ECU settings. Not had to do this, but can't see why it wouldn't work
I won't have to, Isuzus' don't have any form of electronics...
It isn't going to be cheap, BUT seeing as this vehicle is our touring rig for the forseeable future, it must be done right and be reliable. It is way cheaper than buying another, more 'modern' vehicle!

JC

Got a quote today from Massaro Motors Morwell. $1900 for a second hand complete AC unit, $800 to fit, $100 for gas. Thoughts?

Originally Posted by towe0609

Got a quote today from Massaro Motors Morwell. $1900 for a second hand complete AC unit, $800 to fit, $100 for gas. Thoughts?

Err, I just almost GAVE one away

I would be hesitant to get a used Defender one unless it was working recently. The evaporator could be leaking, it could be contaminated etc etc.

IMHO you would be better off with new at those $$.

JC

What about the Red Dot R-9777, it is a complete instillation with the evaporator and condensor in the same unit with with a 25000 BTU capacity, I am tempted to get one myself, as with this unit I can also connect it to my existing TD5 110 knee chiller which should turn my 110 into a fridge.

At the moment the standard A/C is not up to the job, out here in Dubai we have 5 months with the daily temp in the high 40s, at best the front of the cab comes down to mid 30 degree temps.

http://209.44.124.200/~transfair/media/R-9777.pdf

Well I took a step toward solving this today, picking up a compressor from Linn's taking advantage of their 20% off Dec special.

The short list is a Rencool RTK5 (Renegade Auto Cool) or a Red Dot 9777-1 (Red Dot's Product Line) as I'm attracted to the 'all in one' design and leaving maximum air flow to the radiator.

Anyone installed either of these to a Defender? I haven't removed the roof lining (at the front) to know what structural work exists that might get in the way of the installation of either of these units. Any issues with the weight (26kg)? Any advice appreciated.

26KG is under the load limit from the roof and I've seen heavier units hanging from the roof.

while you're mounting it why not do the 2 birds with one stone thing.

makeup 8 round ally discs from 4-5mm ally plate drill out 4 to the appropriate size for the mounting bolts and thread the other 4 to suit the mounting bolts ( I strongly suggest converting to fine pitch threads for this) mount the unit through the roof with the threaded plates on the top of the roof and the bolts protruding through. Wind on some nyloc nuts and then onto the bolt thread that is left protruding mount yourself a single solar panel in preperation for when you add a dual battery system.

From memory the renegade unit is physically smaller than the red dot unit but the red dot unit is easier to maintain. Both work equally well as far as I am aware.