Re: Subject: Air conditioning question, more

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

At 03:19 PM 7/12/1999 EDT, you wrote:
>
>Mike Arman wrote (snipped)
>==============
>>Talk to me about the "efficient scroll compressors" used on newer cars . .

>============
>As I recall, Audi changed the a/c system slightly for later cars; I think 
>with the change to the new-interior 200 from the pre-'89 5000 models.  They 
>used a relay/controller to slightly delay engaging the compressor clutch, 
>allowing the engine rpm to be slightly raised (more air, probably), to 
>eliminate the "stumble".  Is the drag by your compressor really that bad?
Is 
>this on a turbo or a normally-aspirated car (the turbo shouldn't feel the 
>drag so much; figure 5 hp drag gives 5/160 is 3%; versus 5/130hp almost 4%, 
>better yet, 5/217 in my car at a 2.3%; I'd double the above percentage 
>numbers, as you've likely got less than 1/2 peak hp available most times,
but 
>the same 5hp a/c draw...unless you normally drive flat out, uphill, near 
>redline/hp peak?, full A/C).

Car is a N.A. 86 5000. Other than with A/c on, it is smooth as silk -
almost like a big electric motor, give it more gas, it just goes faster -
what a joy!

Turning the A/c on is like throwing out an anchor. No more smoothness, idle
goes to 600 rpm (n.a. cars don't have the raise-idle-when-a/c-is-on circuit
as on turbo cars), power at speed is gone, gas mileage plummets, engine
groans, 0-60 is measured using an hourglass. And this is with a NEW
compressor and correctly charged R-134 system - everything works. And on
top of all that, the a/c is downright anemic - does Lucas make auto air
condtioners? (Why do you think the English like their beer warm?) I find
this amazing, since GM cars (from whence this a/c is derived) are famous
for getting cold enough to hang meat.

I want this car to be cool - I'd settle for cool, not even demanding cold -
inside (and it isn't even a black car), and I want it to run decently when
the a/c is on - my wife's cheap Mzda 323 runs better and gets colder than
this! WHY?

(Who's annoyed?)

Mike Arman