Thread: Aircon. That old chestnut

Originally Posted by rainman

Hi all. I finally got a chance to drive the 130 (300Tdi dual cab) in to an air conditioning place for a look/chat. I was pleasantly surprised.

We narrowed it down to this being the most suitable unit. The idea is to probably mount it on the inside of the roof above the rear seat, but it remains to be seen if this will retain enough head room. It could also be mounted on the roof above the centre console to eliminate head room issues, but then it will be difficult to route the air "nicely". Either way, my idea is to fold up some ducting out of ~1mm aluminium sheet and use some type of air diffusers where necessary.

I have ditched the standard under-dash unit but retained the compressor, condenser, etc - basically everything in the engine bay. The A/C place I went to quoted approx $1900 for the previously mentioned unit supplied and fitted (along with new receiver/drier), leaving the ducting to me. The other alternative is for them to supply me the unit, I potter around mounting it to my liking, wiring it up, and then have them plumb it in, gas it up, and get it going for about $1100. This is the option I'm going for. I guess I'm going to have to start a project/tutorial thread ......

Hi everyone. Albeit a long time coming, I've finally got around to my A/C installation. As promised, I've started a Project thread here.

James.

Originally Posted by Sith

[snip]
He strips you old system apart and lays everything out to show you how the compressor breaks down with the R134a in it , amazing black grit that blocks up everything !

Hmmm.....

Originally Posted by towe0609

The sloping roof didn't stop this guy (although it wasn't recommended by the guy that fitted my red dot)





I too was a bit worried about the cold air on back of neck thing, but as said, its nice on a hot day. Doesn't worry me and you can rotate the outlets away if you want to. Not suggesting this will suit you, just sharing the lived experience.

I don't know what the County unit is like, but I assume if like the Defender, you could reclaim significant front leg room if rid if it. Might be worth considering in the mix the benefit of that also?

Have you got any photos of the internal set up.
What the vents look like and the positioning?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Just a thought.

You could always pressurise the cabin by adding a second blower drawing filtered air from outside, either directly into the cabin or in some manner through the A/C evaporator.

The A/C unit could then continue to wholly or partially re-cycle the cabin air.

The blower could also be used to keep out dust on days you don't want the A/C running, and turned off when you don't want cold air drawn in from outside.

Diana

The Defender Heater is what I use to pressurise the cabin with, Heater on Cold. Blower Fan on 2 , all windows closed. A fwd facing scoop onto of the guard inlet vent helps too.


I'm thinking a Safari Roof would also help keep it cool on a hot day with the air flow thru between the roof skins


ive never seen one on anything later than a series II

Another member on this forum had an ex-NT tour vehicle 300Tdi 110 SW that had the original A/C, then using the same pump, went via a T-piece to another A/C unit in the LHS rear wheel arch. A moulded plastic duct then ran to the LHS top corner of the roof, and another moulder plastic duct sat over the back door across the width of the vehicle, with 4 forward blowing vents.

The 2nd unit had it's own on/off temp dial, and dryer.

The complete (add-on) set up is in my shed, including pipe work and electrical. I'm sure the owner wants to sell it, as he's now got a 130DC, and I've got a water tank where the unit fits, so it's no good to me.

If you think you'd like to got to original A/C with an auxillary A/C system piggybacked, then PM me and I'll pass on his details. I need the shelf space back.

Otherwise it may provide ideas for a different set-up.

Hi
Pm sent

PM Replied.

Photos of the system being removed from the 110SW can be seen at :

Defender AC pictures by konstantinoufamily - Photobucket

There is a great thread on after market aircon here

I've got a Red-dot 6100 rooftop unit which was a more expensive (and possibly less effective?) option. Thread here