Tin Top A/C Rebuild Experience

[dart330]

[dart330]

[Terry Kay]

Higher capacity as in CFM not in dimensional size necessarily.

Problem is the larger the cfm, the more horses it takes to drive.
Big movement loss as soon as it goes "click"

The most bang for your bucks would be to install a Frigidaire A6 compressor, which would turn your van into a meat locker with R12 or R12A.

The biggest issue in using it would be, it would drive the engine off as soon as you turned it on.

The secret to cool is use the biggest cfm compressor your engine will drive.

You're at the limit right now.
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T.K.

[pablum]

TK, you might know this: where can I source a 12v DC fridge compressor/condensor that 1. isn't a cosmetic knockoff born to fail, and 2. doesn't cost $400.

Seems like all these 120V systems work fine for MUCH less than $400 for the whole shebang, and yet the only real difference is the motor.

What is up with that! I'll make one myself, but no thank you to $400.

Did I mention $400 is outrageous?
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The wise man learns from history, the fool from experience.
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I see [a cat] in the street and i aim for the pest with my car. -- bluebus86

[Terry Kay]

I have never had the opportunity to shop for a 12 volt compressor.

However, as I have experienced in just about anything, the price usually gives you a pretty good indication of reliability, and longevity because it's a quality item.

Buy the $59.95 compressor, you wouldn't even tell us after that failed.
What are you trying to do ?
Fire up an AC system in the van?

Won't work, can't happen on the cheap.

If it was inexpensive, everbody would have had one of these set up's already.

Or am I wrong and you're just looking for a fridge compressor for a refrigerator?
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T.K.

[pablum]

Yes, a refrigerator.

House units (small ones are what I mean) last a long time if you spend a bit. They are out there, and reliable, and cheap.

What gripes me is you can't get one with a 12V DC motor. That's the only difference.

So I thought it would be simple to make my own cooling box, use parts from a used small one, and swap out the compressor (the motor is always built into it, it seems) and re-plumb it for that.
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The wise man learns from history, the fool from experience.
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I see [a cat] in the street and i aim for the pest with my car. -- bluebus86

[Terry Kay]

Or find a used unit at an estate sale that's wasn't used much.

Craigslist perhaps.

Find a old camper, poptop, whstever that is an older model.

Might be inexpensive.
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T.K.

[bluebus86]

Id think youd need a fairly substantail alternator to run an electric powered compressor. each hp is .75 Kw not counting losses, youd need over 60 amps at 12 volts for each HP of the compressor. A 5 HP compressor would have a power draw in excess of 300 amps at 12 volts. That is several times what the stock alternator can put out.
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[bluebus86]

[dhaavers]

[dart330]

I went to the local hardware store and they only had 2 air filters that could be cut to size. I got both to compare, a coarse blue material and a denser green one. Each was cut to 6" x 25" to fit to the evaporator opening.

The green one comes with a plastic grid and was what I decided to use.

Installed the plastic grid

Then the filter

Still blowing strong and cold on my face. Will see how long it takes before the filter is visibly dirty. The instructions say 90 days in a home HVAC system.

[djkeev]

I made a filter for my camper A/C, after 7000 miles it was filthy!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=635160&highlight=ac+filter

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[Terry Kay]

The grass cloth filter will slow the intake air the least.
It's washable,reuseable.

The foam is washable, but will make the ac intake
work harder for the air it's getting.
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T.K.

[tpinthepack]

I kept my stock Condenser when I installed a new Compressor & Hoses, and I live in Florida running 134 gas and my van still freezes me out too. If I ever spring a leak in the condenser, I would likely go with that parallel joker, but until it leaks or does not blow cold, I am not touching a thing.
Tony
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Steve M.]

[Howesight]

Unfortunately, there is no under $400 12 volt compressor solution. The only unit worth buying, and essentially the only unit in that market segment (ie 12 volt for small to medium mobile reefer applications) is the Danfoss BD35. It has two bigger siblings, the BD50 and BD80, both much larger than any RV fridge requires.

The hermetic compressor itself can be found in the $200 range, but it will not work without the companion controller that is in the range of $200 to $350 depending on where you purchase. They use brushless, variable-speed electronically-switched motors which will not run without the controller.

So, the $499 for the Truckfridge TF 49 or $549 for the TF65 appears to be a good value. My TF65 has now been performing beautifully for almost nine years now, for what that is worth ($61 per year, to be exact.)
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[AndyBees]

Subscribed...
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[dart330]

Update 5 years later....

The A/C was no longer blowing cold. The new Sanden compressor pulley was leaking Freon. Had that fixed along with a new receiver/drier, system flushed and filled.

I also decided to go ahead and upgrade the power supply since so many have had issues with the system melting at the fuses.

+ Ran a 6 gauge wire from the alternator
+ Switched to a commonly available 50 amp MIDI Fuse (which I was very surprised fit perfectly)
+ New 30 amp compressor clutch relay
+ New 70 amp blower fan relay

Hopefully good for at least another 5 years....

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Driving a 90 Carat since 2014

Previous Buses: 59 Westy, 60 Westy, 74 Bus, 82 Westy, 85 Westy, 87 Syncro
Checkout my Syncro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JSWhLS7jLY

[narendra.vw]

Before I refitted my 'oe' roof ac duct I welded M6 nuts to the roof where factory setup used Tin screws. Now the ducts fit firmly. no rattling noise or cracking of duct edges.

is the ac control switch working? my thermostat control is not working.

[jlrftype7]