All about dealer installed a/c in a 61-67 beetle

[glassbuggy]

Found the post again, Here is the conversation. I edited it for content.


Tim Seward
"Tesla" electric air conditioning compressor installed! Tomorrow just wire it up and fill it with non-conductive R-134a refrigerant. Type 3 air conditioner unit inside is from Gilmore Enterprises, but everything else is custom from parts I put together. Total cost $1400 not including the 12v 100ah lio-ion battery to power the A/C that I'll be rocking under the back seat next to the main battery.
You'll need to get crafty with the condenser unit (radiator like unit). Im putting mine up front and putting the fan in the rim of the spare tire and punching exhaust holes in the spare tire cradle. This kind of shows the placement. The spare tire seals off the fan so you only need to make exuast holes. Im just popping the inspection cover off the front apron as an intake..

Q: What size alternator is needed to keep up with this system?

over 60amps. Id get the 90amp versions especially if youre running a moderate stereo system. If youre mixing your main battery Lead Acid (AGM) and li-ion as a secondary battery you need a battery isolator. I use the battery doctor. I run the system off my secondary battery to take the load off the main battery. The alternator only charges the secondary battery when the main battery is full and the secondary battery can not charge main battery or mess with your alternator. Anyway i have a 75amp alternator in my Brasilia that has this same setup. The AC runs off the secondary li-ion battery just fine.

Q: Where did you source the compressor?

I got a bunch of parts off ebay and amazon. I'll make a write up for people soon

Comment: Don't use Li ion with a stock alternator. It needs a special one for Li Ion. Chance for a nice fire up..

lol.. I am an electric vehicle designer. Im using a battery Isolator and this isnt my first rodeo I built this system before in my VW Brasilia. Thanks for the concern though.

[glassbuggy]

The post author mentioned having a separate 100ah battery alongside his regular Battery. If I can find it again, I will edit with better detail

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

12 volt electric AC compressors are really starting to take off..
I've been watching the prices come down for years.
That's the route I plan if the trend continues.
They are almost as cheap as a serpentine belt kit now.

The biggest issue is the amperage requirements.

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[glassbuggy]

Saw this on Facebook under type three army's page. Tesla electric compressor. Might be what we need to eliminate the engine problem and make these old units functionable.

[scrivyscriv]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

[scrivyscriv]

[glassbuggy]

not sure on the sizes but here is a couple fairly complete pics of them and the bracketry. Also, those are great pics of your grandpa's bug splitjunkie. Scan us the decal pics if you can. was there any paperwork he got with the system?

[splitjunkie]

[splitjunkie]

My Grandfather bought a '65 new and had the dealer install AC in it. I was given this car when I turned 16. As I remember, as a kid, the AC worked quite well, although it was no longer working when I got the car. Even still it would rob a ton of HP when I turned it on. I eventually pulled the whole system out of the car and was glad for it.

In these pictures you can see some detail shots of the various components added to the engine compartment. You can also see the 6v Bendix Sapphire II that I bought for $4 at a flea market around the same time. The seller said it was out of a Mustang.

I also have two unused water slide decals that were included with the kit that were meant to be installed on the quarter windows that said AirConditioned and had an outline of the Beetle using the two Os as the wheels. I have never seen another set.

_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[glassbuggy]

You are welcome. Looks good! Here are a few detail shots of the pressure switch that shares the fuse holder bracket

[scrivyscriv]

That fuse box bracket is excellent. Thanks for posting photos of it. I'm installing a DPD full length late model unit and I'm at the point now where I'm ready to flip the fuse box and get all the wiring done!

_________________
Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

Good information and photos. .

Id add my Gilmore kit... but .. it doesn't fit the "dealer installed" guideline.

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[glassbuggy]

This is all I have from a 67 manual. The fellow was selling a unit, and these few pages were what he posted in that ad (back in 2001). It was pricy or I would have got it just for the booklet. LOL. Anyone have this info?

[glassbuggy]

Found the link up to 65 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/air_conditioning_parts_list.php
Anyone have 66 - 67 info?
I think 68 up is the later unit that works for the padded dash bugs and sits flatter under the dash area

[glassbuggy]

Does anyone have a copy or link to the Delanair unit instructions/manual? I have only a page or two.

[glassbuggy]

One thing that hasn't been really seen in this thread is the fuse block relocation bracket. I took this Delanair from a 67 bug back in the 90's. This is a unique example because in 1967 the fuse block went to a ten fuse up from the earlier 6 fuse block. Notice that Delanair ''added'' a piece to accommodate this change. I mounted it in my '66 to show how it looks in the car. This bracket moves the fuses from the interior 90 degrees so that they face the bumper direction. The underdash unit interferes with the normal location.

[glassbuggy]

Here are some more detail pics of the innards of the Delanair unit

[glassbuggy]

I actually drug out all the ac parts I collected and took pics to post in this thread. I did what you just posted also, a look inside the Evaporator box. Funny that I had resurrected this thread looking for a pic of the fuse block bracket and I actually had one in the box of parts. I will post pics when I get some time. Thanks for the contribution.

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

I recently SCORED a NOS 2019 Gilmore AC kit for 58-67 Beetles.. (half price ) Looks decent enough with modern parts.

It made me come back to this topic to look around, I soon realized... I never added pictures of the Delanair Evaporator
box I sold in 2011

I wanted to add to the topic and to the Samba for photo documentation.

Should have kept it..

_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited