Air conditioning question, more

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

Turns out this has become a "hot" topic (groan!).

Got 16 e-mails this AM, this topic alone.

Here's what I learned so far:

Adapting aircraft systems isn't the answer. Cessna offered air conditioning
on 172s for a few years - it was a $12,000 option (!) and was just a plain
old belt-driven York compressor and automotive add-on system. Larger
aircraft systems would cost more than the car is worth, probably by several
orders of magnitude.

Ammonia systems aren't the answer either - the ammonia bromine (?) mixture
is poisonous and wildly corrosive, and I don't want to re-engineer the
entire system, just improve what's alredy there.

Removing the air conditioner entirely isn't the answer. It simply gets too
goddam hot (technical term) in the summer in Florida to simply pitch this
stuff, tempting as the idea sounds right now.

The original 4KW figure turns out to be somewhat high - it seems that 2HP
or 1500 watts, or about 12,000 BTU (YMMV) should do it. 1500 watts at 110
volts is 13.6 amps, and now we are talking realistic numbers both for
alternator output and power handling.

Given that, mounting a second "normal sized" alternator where the a/c
compressor used to live, and driving it from the a/c belt pulley shouldn't
be terribly difficult. Using a 2HP or 2.5HP DC motor (say from Burden
Surplus?) to drive the original a/c compressor could probably be done.
Mounting the motor/compressor system would be tough - it is big and heavy,
so the only home for it might be in the trunk, which would mean long hoses
and wires - another PITA. This isn't a good solution, but may be only the
least worst approach.

Talk to me about the "efficient scroll compressors" used on newer cars . .
. what's the deal on them? What cars are they used on? How much adaptation
would be needed beyond brackets and bolts? If I could even out the power
draw (smooth the pulses), I'd probably find a way to live with the rubber
flex hoses.

I do want my a/c to work, but don't want to destroy the drivability of the
car.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman