TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun May 31, 2020 4:14 pm

bettingonvans wrote: Farf, I've read a lot of your comments in the Red Tek thread. You seem knowledgeable about A/C systems like this, do you know whether the TEV hunting can cause damage elsewhere.

Ha, I'm not sure anyone really pays attention to what I post. If you are experiencing TXV hunt and have an over-fed evaporator I think during lower ambient conditions there is some potential for liquid slugging. Really the best way for everyone to figure their system problems out is to measure superheat and subcooling.

http://www.sanden.com/objects/3_-_Troubleshooting_-_Web_01.pdf

Read it and understand it. If you fill out the info in the red box, most system charge related problems can be answered in minutes. I do know that there are several "HVAC" guys here that won't participate on the A/C stuff because without this info it's all a guess.

Do not use an infrared thermometer, buy a cheap digital K type thermocouple thermometer. Insulate probe to pipe with foam tape.

https://www.amazon.com/Leaton-Thermocouple-Thermom...amp;sr=8-5

Sun May 31, 2020 4:42 pm

I missed it was a Subaru. My TDI compressor required me to disable a pressure valve in the reed plate. Prior I was getting marginal cooling. The vintage air system specifies it runs lower low side pressure than expected. Not sure about the Subaru compressor. It appeared my valve allowed Freon to bypass the reed plate. It’s called variable displacement, but that is not accurate. The physical displacement never changes.

Wed Jun 03, 2020 3:44 pm

Here’s a pic of the compressor.

Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:46 am

Ok so after much work Ive determined the smaller rad fan isnt keeping up with my AC in the hot hot hot desert climate. Not even close.

So larger 450watt fan and shroud en route to covid central as we speak. Is this going to be a direct fit into my 85? No cutting and welding required??

Also will need some assistance with the wiring. Dont have the loom fo r this fan or the resistor but will be hunting down an EV resistor and possibly the loom as well.

Tough job ahead?? Family leaves for Telluride in a week so Ive got time just need to assemble the know-how.

Sat Jul 11, 2020 7:25 am

Jay - I had my AC reworked by the excellent crew at European Autotech on North 1st. They installed the later, more powerful Vanagon fan & shroud:

So far as I know, with that shroud it was a straight bolt-up.

Is that the fan you are getting?

I had them provide a schematic as 'improvements' can become a liability if they are not documented. This is what they gave me:

Hope that helps. Stay cool, stay safe.

Sat Jul 11, 2020 8:39 am

Oh yeah!!!

Muchas Gracias.

Unfortunately the folks at EA have broken up with their Vanagon tech and arent interested in the Vanagon work this season. They were super accommodating last week when I was there with 120 questions regarding the possibly reasons my AC was not up to snuff. It was 107 outside :roll: . They have some great vans for me to peak under and around for info and even said take pics what ever you need (owners van and the receptionist)

They had two suggestions.

1. Double up your condensers :shock:. Sandwich them right up to each other and bolt em in there. Surprisingly that's doable fairly easily. The two vans in the shop both had sandwiched condensers. He was clear that it was a big advantage and provided worthy results.

2. get the bigger fan and shroud. I ordered the stuff from wayout in AR but failed to request the loom and other essentials. Im thinking of calling him this Monday for the rest. It has to make the job a lot easier and worth the second shipping charge.

Ill study up on this. Thanks

Hows the cabin??

From my house the fire looked insane.

Sat Jul 11, 2020 9:03 am

Yes, John and Dana were great to work with. I spoke to them recently as I needed an R12 charge as a result of some insurance work and they mentioned their approach of double condensers and excellent results with that & R134a. So successful that they no longer work with R12.

In the end I stayed with R12 (Arizona Auto Refrigeration) as that work was covered and changing the system would have become financially complicated.

120,000 acres burning in plain sight along the northside of Tucson was a terrible sight each night for more than a month. It is just smouldering now and the cabin survived (again, this time) and I'm back up here.

Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:00 am

Good to hear it survived. I’d be very interested in seeing some pics. I’ll be up for a night of camping As soon as possible. They won’t let nonresidents up as far as I know. I was on a 10 weekend run before the fire pushed through Summerheaven. That last sat night was a little dicey sleeping w the smell of burning forest wafting through my van.

I’m getting the condensers from century tubes and hoses and will be using AAR to charge my system. These folks are all vanagon friendly and experienced. I’m tempted to use the redtek but don’t know enough about refrigeration to do it without wasting money and getting 70 degree evap temps. It takes more than reading and following directions. There some experience or luck needed for awesome results. This climate doesn’t tolerate anything other than awesome results. And frankly my biggest critics will be in the back seat harping on me all the way.

Mon Jul 13, 2020 6:14 am

Pretty sure my AC just took a dump last night. I got in the van this morning to grab my compressor and the whole thing smells like some sort of industrial chemical which I can only assume is freon. Wil know later today. 250 psi too much for the old girl?

Thu Jun 01, 2023 10:34 am

Farf wrote: Ha, I'm not sure anyone really pays attention to what I post. If you are experiencing TXV hunt and have an over-fed evaporator I think during lower ambient conditions there is some potential for liquid slugging. Really the best way for everyone to figure their system problems out is to measure superheat and subcooling.
Took me a while but this is the post I was looking for. Mucho blige.