I don't think I can last w/o A/C for much longer...

[DrivenByNothing]

I've been putting my A/C system together on the Cherokee in my spare time. This weekend, I think it's do or die. South Florida in the summer is unbearable.

Anyway, while looking at information about my compressor, I came across something I've always been curious about. Electric A/C.



So I guess hypermilers can have girlfriends now (or boyfriends, or both) if they so incline. lol. That's just what Sanden has going, but they're one of the biggest players in the a/c compressor biz.

Here's a link to the page: http://www.sanden.com/products/electric.html

[cfg83]

DrivenByNothing -

Here's the power input curve :

http://www.sanden.com/products/ec_curve2.gif


It looks like it needs 320 VDC to work. Would this work in a car? Am I interpreting the data incorrectly?

CarloSW2

[DrivenByNothing]

The voltage isn't as important as the amperage it draws. The rectangular unit next to the compressor is the 'power box'. It most likely uses a power inverter to bring the voltage up, but at the cost of amperage.

It says that it's made to be used in economy cars (more or less).

[cfg83]

DrivenByNothing -

Ok, assuming a 100 HP car :

http://www.answers.com/topic/horsepower

100 HP * .7457 (KW/HP) = 74.57 Kilowatts available

From the graph I posted, the example KW input range appears to be between 1 and 2.5 KW. That leads me to believe this load :

1/74.57 = 1.34%
2.5/74.57 = 3.33%

If the compressor is using between 1.3% and 3.3% of the available HP, how does that compare to standard issue AC?

CarloSW2

[repete86]

I thought that I couldn't take it anymore until I turned it on. I found out then that my A/C doesn't work. I'm not getting it fixed because I don't want to be tempted.

I didn't know that you were in South Florida too. Which are are you in?

[kickflipjr]

I recently turned my ac on for the first time.

[caprice]

Originally Posted by repete86

I thought that I couldn't take it anymore until I turned it on. I found out then that my A/C doesn't work. I'm not getting it fixed because I don't want to be tempted.

I know it is different when the ac is a button press away! So temping!

[DrivenByNothing]

Carlos, you may be on to something there. I didn't run the numbers, but posted it to get a good discussion going. I'm glad that you ran the numbers, though. You've got some good points.

Hopefully, with time, there will be decreases in power consumption for these units. However, it should still be noted that this is utilizing a scroll compressor and it's much more efficient than reciprocating, piston style compressors. Also, when it's not on, there's no parasitic loss to driving a pulley.

Pete, I live in the Stuart area. It's about a 1/2 hr north of west palm. I rarely use a/c, but there are times when I require it. 1) For females and 2) My job that requires I be dressed in pants, belt, nice shirt, etc. it's not good when I arrive at a job site and I'm drenched in sweat. Not to mention, I'm selling the truck soon and it'll definitely be easier to sell if it has working a/c.

[rvanengen]

What's this unit cost? I have thought that putting something like this is a normal car would make sense, not only from a power draw point, but also from a vibration isolation point...not have it bolted to the engine would help it last a bit longer!

This is a popular method to get A/C in electric cars, although, you could just go the DIY route and bolt a small electric motor directly to the input shaft of a standard AC compressor, I think the usual figures are a 1 to 2 hp motor is sufficient.

[repete86]

Originally Posted by DrivenByNothing

Pete, I live in the Stuart area. It's about a 1/2 hr north of west palm. I rarely use a/c, but there are times when I require it. 1) For females and 2) My job that requires I be dressed in pants, belt, nice shirt, etc. it's not good when I arrive at a job site and I'm drenched in sweat. Not to mention, I'm selling the truck soon and it'll definitely be easier to sell if it has working a/c.

Yep, I know that area. I spend alot of time in Port St. Lucie.