Air Con: Red Dot 6100 on 1999 Td5 130 Dual Cab

[towe0609]

My local auto electrician has just installed a Red Dot 6100 on the rear (flat) section of my 130 Dual Cab (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/120052-towe0609s-130-dual-cab-jaffa.html). I had a solar panel permanently mounted on the front section to ensure the roof was totally butchered - pick it up tomorrow morning. Given he hadn't installed one of these units before, and certainly not on a defender, will be interesting to see exactly what has been done.

Will post pics etc when I can - I know there is a bit of interest in rooftop units, and not too many examples. I'm not sure I'll be able to comment too much on performance given it is freezing in Victoria at the moment!

I did come across this thread (http://www.tawayama.com/crewcabwebgallery/) in my searches - the only defender I have seen photos of the 9777 being installed on. I was discouraged from going for this model by the red dot techs - and sort of wish I was persistent due to the increased capacity of the unit - although I'm sure the 6100 will be fine.

[VladTepes]

Brilliant mate. Looking forward to pics and report.

As far as capacity goes, an asthmatic seagull would be better than the standard unit !

For anyone interested I THINK this is the unit in question… towe0609 am I right?

http://acpxp004.corpnet.customs:8080/ProgressMessages/Rooftops.pdf?proxy=10.4.9.46&action=complete&index=45&id=402766159&filename=Rooftops.pdf

Too bad it’s not reverse cycle !



I don't suppose you'd care to share the cost of purchase plus installation?



Also I added AIR CON to the title of the thread so people will find it easier in a search.

Cheers

[towe0609]

Photos below. In terms of total project cost
1. Compressor - approx $300 second hand (had only done 30,000km) from Linn Rover
2. New Belt - $80
2. Pipes - $110 SH from Linn you need the pipes that fit the compressor, these are then cut and connected to rubber AC hose.
3. Red Dot Unit $2,100
4. Installation Parts $520 inc pipe, brackets, connectors, relays, wire, workshop consumables, gas etc.
5. Labour - $780 - 12 hours @ $65/hr which included install of a solar panel on front section of roof (wouldn't have taken long)

Total - $3,890 total cost

So it is a very expensive proposition - worth it? Hard to tell in the middle of Winter. I'm happy with the way the installation has been done though. Photos of inside to follow.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36651&stc=1&d=1307766409


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36652&stc=1&d=1307766422


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36653&stc=1&d=1307766436


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36654&stc=1&d=1307766561


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36655&stc=1&d=1307766579

[towe0609]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36656&stc=1&d=1307766952


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=36657&stc=1&d=1307766952

[towe0609]

I case anyone is interested, the vehicle is now 2.165m high.

Luckily it still fits in my garage!

[VladTepes]

Man I think that price tag will "disinterest" the wife.
I already have an air con compressor.. I assume the standard one would do the job?

[towe0609]

I assume the standard one would do the job?

Yes, the compressor I am using is stock standard.

[VladTepes]

It's slighly less "slim" than I'd hoped.

[Ranga]

I still I like this model http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/116210-photos-air-con-install-200-300tdi-2.html#post1362518
better.

Model is now called a Dot R6840 I think. http://www.rdac.com/sites/default/files/catalog/Ecat/Backwalls.pdf


Was in a Defender being sold in the markets some time back.

[CraigE]

Would love some details on how the solar panel was fitted.
Cheers
Craig

[Sith]

I will be posting up the air cond remake of mine in the next few weeks in the Projects section....
The whole operation inc all labor is around $490 blows ice cold drops the 110 from 30 degs to 14 degs in a matter of mins .

as for the solar panels Craig , go for two Rhino racks from windscreen to where the roof flattens out . I have two panels that fit snug . I will be fitting them before ewe go to Karjini will take pics for you then

[towe0609]

Would love some details on how the solar panel was fitted.
Cheers
Craig

Nothing special here Craig - bolts through holes drilled in the roof. Cable over the back with air con pipework and into camper box where my aux batteries are. I appreciate drilling holes in the roof is not for everyone - but given I'd just cut a massive hole in it for the Red Dot unit, it didn't seem a big deal.

[Davehoos]

we often had to reinforce the cab roof.

depends on how much corrigated roads it travells,the unit looks to be a lighter hyway unit for vehicles to are constanly moving [not a bulldozer] so the domed truck cab is probably very strong.

[Ranga]

I will be posting up the air cond remake of mine in the next few weeks in the Projects section....
The whole operation inc all labor is around $490 blows ice cold drops the 110 from 30 degs to 14 degs in a matter of mins .

as for the solar panels Craig , go for two Rhino racks from windscreen to where the roof flattens out . I have two panels that fit snug . I will be fitting them before ewe go to Karjini will take pics for you then

Now I'm curious! :eek:

[CraigE]

I will be posting up the air cond remake of mine in the next few weeks in the Projects section....
The whole operation inc all labor is around $490 blows ice cold drops the 110 from 30 degs to 14 degs in a matter of mins .

as for the solar panels Craig , go for two Rhino racks from windscreen to where the roof flattens out . I have two panels that fit snug . I will be fitting them before ewe go to Karjini will take pics for you then

Have sort of looked at that, but I recon the rails will sit too high and may cause soem bad air resistance. I have a set of aeros on it now, may be able to utilise them when I get a 3/4 roof rack.
Part of the problem I see with these is they sit flat. I was looking for something that can be angled with the roof pitch.
As it is the Rhino legs are a PIA with the doors, in the wrong position the doors hit the bottom of the gutter mounts.
Will be real interested in your air con upgrade.
Cheers
Craig

[1103.9TDI]

I had mine fitted in 2004, has been very reliable and cool since, although the bearings in the tensioner went recently. Currently looking to convert to reverse cycleable for another trip to the snowies with the family.

This pic is on a recent run to Cape Melville with a couple of mates, first vehicle in after the wet.

[land864]

Sith

Would you let us know on here after you have posted in Projects.

I am looking at getting the Red dot roof console one fitted hopefully using the OE compressor , condenser and cond fans.

[Mystic Merlin]

Interesting surname we may share (Towe) as well as a shared quest for retro fit Defender air con quest. Any historic family connections from Manchester area of the Uk ??

[towe0609]

Interesting surname we may share (Towe) as well as a shared quest for retro fit Defender air con quest. Any historic family connections from Manchester area of the Uk ??

Sorry to dissappoint, but not my surname, welsh heritage for me.

[land864]

Sith

Any pics of yours yet?

[inside]

Anyone thought of using the one off the HMMWV? Seems cheap I've seen these go for $1350 on ebay, postage would be around $500 and up though I reckon. Also 24V might be a problem, made by Red Dot.

KIT,AIR CONDITIONER | HMMWV | Military Vehicles For Sale | Military Trucks For Sale | M35 A2 | 5 Ton | M151 A1 A2 | Surplus Parts - TNJ Murray (http://www.tnjmurray.com/militaryvehicles/index.cfm'shop/product/id/13EF3D6E-5056-A361-12FA3BBB5CC0EBC4/catid/AEAD4AC6-9D10-7F32-1A8E9BA3F0BDC9CE)

HMMWV Humvee Red Dot A/C Air Conditioning System - New | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HMMWV-Humvee-Red-Dot-A-C-Air-Conditioning-System-New-/260799635432?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cb8de9fe8#ht_1263wt_1253)

Military | Red Dot Corporation | Mobile HVAC (http://www.rdac.com/markets/military)

[dromader driver]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/90-110-130-defender-county/36656d1307766952-air-con-red-dot-6100-1999-td5-130-dual-cab-red-dot-6100.jpg


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/90-110-130-defender-county/36657d1307766952-air-con-red-dot-6100-1999-td5-130-dual-cab-plenum.jpg

Now that you have been running it for a while does it have sufficient capacity to cool the whole cabin?

[towe0609]

Yes, it does, but the fans are noisy overhead, particularly on settings 2 and 3 - and that's saying something given I have no additional sound deadening. We also find the vents are stiff to adjust, and as there are only 2, and as they are quite direct, only 2 passengers at a time can have cold air blowing directly at them. We usually find this sufficient, as usually only 2 people in the sun at a time anyway, and the impact on the ambient temp sufficient for the other passenger(s).

It was OK when we first had it installed, but a damaged shoulder now makes it hard for me to reach back to swtich it on too ... should have installed 'secondary' switches on dash at time of installation.

I think having it installed on the forward, sloping part of the roof would generally be a better solution.

[dromader driver]

Yes, it does, but the fans are noisy overhead, particularly on settings 2 and 3 - and that's saying something given I have no additional sound deadening. We also find the vents are stiff to adjust, and as there are only 2, and as they are quite direct, only 2 passengers at a time can have cold air blowing directly at them. We usually find this sufficient, as usually only 2 people in the sun at a time anyway, and the impact on the ambient temp sufficient for the other passenger(s).

It was OK when we first had it installed, but a damaged shoulder now makes it hard for me to reach back to swtich it on too ... should have installed 'secondary' switches on dash at time of installation.

I think having it installed on the forward, sloping part of the roof would generally be a better solution.

Thanks for the quick response. Was considering the sloping part as it will go on a ute but not sure about the condensate drain. Don't want to get a shower when coming to a stop. have had this occur in other overhead systems. [bigsmile1]

[towe0609]

Thanks for the quick response. Was considering the sloping part as it will go on a ute but not sure about the condensate drain. Don't want to get a shower when coming to a stop. have had this occur in other overhead systems. [bigsmile1]

I've ever had issues with the condensation drain ... tube runs down the back with the gas pipes, and I've never seen water exit the system any other way ... but I generally look forward when driving.