Crazy Air Con Idea????

**isuzurover** · 28th August 2009, 05:35 PM

There is little/no room to fit a 2nd AC compressor to a 4BD1 to run both AC and compressed air. I would also like to remove some of the clutter in front of the radiator for better cooling and to fit the water intercooler rad in.

So, therefore, I have been considering doing the following:
Running an air compressor where the AC compressor normally sits.
Mount a pulley on the back of the handbrake drum - sandwiched between the handbrake drum and the rear propshaft, to drive a relocated AC compressor. Making a custom AC system, with an evaporator mounted to the roof between the front and rear seat rows, and the condenser etc mounted somewhere out of the way from muck but with adequate airflow (and fans, etc...).

Advantages - less clutter up front, and better AC system if designed properly.

Disadvantages:
V-belt will need protection to avoid getting caught when offroad.
AC system will not run when stationary, and will run at ~1/4 engine speed when in low range.
Can compensate slightly for above with drive pulley size.

The other option would be to keep the AC compressor where it is and use a PTO to drive an air compressor mounted underneath... However this would end up more expensive, as I need to source a PTO from somewhere.

What does everyone think???

**stirlsilver** · 28th August 2009, 05:57 PM

That is a pretty wild idea right there...
I guess the major drawback to that system is, like you say, that the compressor won't be running when you stop... so you really are getting the cooling when you don't need it (when you are moving) and will swealter in summer if stuck in traffic. Other small things will be a hassle... like breaking the belt, you will need to take a drive shaft off to put on a new belt, and the unit will get hammered with dirt, stones and mud.

In my opinion there is too many drawbacks... the main one being no AC when stuck in traffic...

What if you went about it a different way... don't install the comprssors in the engine bay, but replace them with a very large alternator(s). And have the compressors driven by electric motors.

I would imagine that the AC compressor would consume 1 to 2 hp so you are talking a lot of current especially since you are introducing more inefficiency. But hey, you can put the compressors wherever you like.

**slug_burner** · 28th August 2009, 06:08 PM

It is not going to be cheap but here is another idea.

It is a common problem to run out of space around the front of the engine for bits of equipment that need to hang a belt to get some rotational force to do something (additional alternator, compressor, a/c etc). One of the ways which we are considering to get around this problem is to use a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motors. A nice big power steering pump to replace the current one if it is too small, then you can run hoses to where ever you have the room and place a hydraulic motor to drive your a/c.

The shed shaped LRs have a lot of frontal area that is not used for cooling purposes. I have thought about using the area on the front guards/wings below/around the headlights to cut some slots to allow air in and place heat exchangers like a/c condensers, oil coolers or water coolers for your air/water intercooler inside the wing.

**clean32** · 28th August 2009, 06:11 PM

i haven't thought about, but then i have an ARB under the back seat,

how about a small compressor like of a japper, honda civic etc, mounted beside and up a bit from the injector pump. maybe a walk around U PULLIT with a tape measure?

**djam1** · 28th August 2009, 06:18 PM

Why not run a compressor off of the rear PTO Output.
Could run it while stationary if required

**Blknight.aus** · 28th August 2009, 06:34 PM

why not just a 12v compressor.

or put a winch motor directly onto the front of a compressor and then bury it under neath?

**buzz66** · 28th August 2009, 06:50 PM

.
You could always do this.

**isuzurover** · 28th August 2009, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by djam1

Why not run a compressor off of the rear PTO Output.
Could run it while stationary if required

I mentioned that as an option. However LT230 PTOs are no longer made AFAIK and hard to come by.

As to driving the AC comp electrically - small truck/bus AC systems need >100A and would probably fry my alternator.

Once you have tried an AC compressor there is no way you could stoop to an asthmatic 12V version.

**HBWC** · 28th August 2009, 11:32 PM

i remember seeing a show car quite a few years ago that had the altinator and ac compresor mounted like the startermotor to get rid of all belts on the front this may work

if not build a drive shaft off the crank pully center then your able to mount it therther forward

another option is a lay shaft off the belts so you can mount the compressor thurther backin the engine bay

**Bush65** · 29th August 2009, 08:04 AM

I have a similar problem and thinking of using one of these Kool Truck C307

12V, 15A. There is an agent close to me.

A previous tenant of Workspace Australia, Mr. Terry Ingram, has developed an innovation that is ranked among ‘the top ten most significant greenhouse gas reduction projects in the world’. Terry has received United Nations accreditation for his air-conditioning unit, which allows truck drivers to stay cool while switching their engines off at rest points.

The invention could save millions of litres of fuel annually, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions rocketing. The C307 unit is an almost silent, battery-powered air conditioner weighing only 16 kilos. Most importantly the unit works with the truck engine switched off.

More than 100 Victorian trucks are fitted with the unit, as well as national fleet trucks. Four units are being tested in America, where ten million gallons of fuel could be saved monthly, if only five percent of the nation’s long haul trucks adopted the technology.

Bendigo-based Terry Ingram is the founder of Kool Ideas, a company specializing in revolutionary automotive air conditioning. Terry has 30 years in the automotive air conditioning trade, and says his invention has implications for military vehicles, medical transportation, domestic air conditioning and solar powered food cool stores.

Terry got his idea for the air conditioner unit watching V8 supercar drivers suffering from heat exhaustion at a Darwin speedway. He invented a tiny air conditioner prototype to fit inside the drivers’ helmets, later moving from racing cars to trucks. It is good to see a previous tenant of Workspace Australia doing well and receiving praise within the broader business community!

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