AC temps?

[77c10]

Fellas,

Just got my Vinatage Air set up charged. I was wondering what temperature that you all are getting at your vent? Mine is right at 40 degrees. Just checking to see if that's normal.

[Titomars]

That really depends on the outside ambient temp. Also humidity can make a difference.
If it's 45 deg outside that's not so good. If it's 100 deg outside that's awesome.
Back in my days as an A/C electrical tech (pre R-134a) the rule of thumb was a 20 to 25 deg difference. I have seen some systems pull down to about 35 deg difference. But that was fairly rare.

[77c10]

This was yesterday setting in my garage. It was probably 80 or so, not sure what the humidity was.

[tucsonjwt]

I have been reading elsewhere the the Vintage A/C systems don't get super cold. I have always read that 40 degrees was the minimum temp at the outlets. At my last recharge the A/C tech said I had 40 degrees at the outlets, but that is with a 134A conversion old A6 compressor and no supplemental fan for the condenser.

Did you install electric fans with your new system? I find that supplemental fans over the condenser do lower the temperature a lot.

[77c10]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I have been reading elsewhere the the Vintage A/C systems don't get super cold. I have always read that 40 degrees was the minimum temp at the outlets. At my last recharge the A/C tech said I had 40 degrees at the outlets, but that is with a 134A conversion old A6 compressor and no supplemental fan for the condenser.

Did you install electric fans with your new system? I find that supplemental fans over the condenser do lower the temperature a lot.

I'm very happy with 40 degrees. It beats the heck out of what I had before that which was nothing!

I am running two electric fans instead of a mechanical fan. I never thought of running one in front of the condeser. I may look in to that.

[Titomars]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I have been reading elsewhere the the Vintage A/C systems don't get super cold. I have always read that 40 degrees was the minimum temp at the outlets. At my last recharge the A/C tech said I had 40 degrees at the outlets, but that is with a 134A conversion old A6 compressor and no supplemental fan for the condenser.

Did you install electric fans with your new system? I find that supplemental fans over the condenser do lower the temperature a lot.

In Las Vegas when it is 115 out (typical summer day temp) there is no automotive A/C system the will get to 40 deg out the register. You can count yourself lucky if you get 80 deg. The near zero humidity does not help either. that's with either R-12, R-22, and R-500. R-143a in my experience does not cool as well as R-12.

[homemade87]

The one thing that can improve on the 134 is use a true parallel flow condenser . The reg tube type condensers that come in the trucks just don't do a good job of getting the heat out of the 134 . Mine does pretty good with the stock condenser . If for any reason I have to pull mine apart I will replace my condenser with the true parallel .

[tucsonjwt]

I agree that the stock condenser will hinder the performance of the stock system. I will go to a cross flow condenser the next time it needs service. I used my Craftsman mini infrared thermometer about 1" away from the center vent and the pic shows what I got (probably not accurate.) It's about 100 degrees today but only about 10% humidity. I think more humidity makes the a/c work harder and results in less effective cooling - at least you don't feel as cool.

[77c10]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I agree that the stock condenser will hinder the performance of the stock system. I will go to a cross flow condenser the next time it needs service. I used my Craftsman mini infrared thermometer about 1" away from the center vent and the pic shows what I got (probably not accurate.) It's about 100 degrees today but only about 10% humidity. I think more humidity makes the a/c work harder and results in less effective cooling - at least you don't feel as cool.

Nice!!!!!!

[tucsonjwt]

I did install a pusher fan in from a GEO Metro in front of the condenser. It operates on a relay from the compressor wire - turns on when the compressor turns on.

[Malibuick231]

I am about to by this system for my sons truck. Does anyone have any pics of what the vents look like in a factory non ac truck?

[77c10]

Originally Posted by Malibuick231

I am about to by this system for my sons truck. Does anyone have any pics of what the vents look like in a factory non ac truck?

I can take some when I get home tonight but to me they look like other factory AC trucks I have seen.

[Malibuick231]

Originally Posted by 77c10

I can take some when I get home tonight but to me they look like other factory AC trucks I have seen.

So they mount in the dash? My truck doesn't have any vents in the dash.

[77c10]

Originally Posted by Malibuick231

So they mount in the dash? My truck doesn't have any vents in the dash.

Yep, they mount in the dash where the factory vents would be if you had them. Then you have one above the heat/AC controls and one to the left of the headlight switch.

[Dead Parrot]

Just did a test while seeing if the new alternator voltage regulator worked(it did).

Cabin temp on floor by the recirculate intake, 85.
Outside temp 84 with 57% humidity
Temp out of center outlet with fan on high stabilized at 50.
Engine held at approximate high idle speed.
Engine not at max operating temp so mechanical fan clutch was not fully engaged so I did not have a lot of air flow over the condenser side.
When I put the fan speed on low, the outlet temp started dropping. Stopped testing at that point.

R12 system with reman old style compressor installed many years ago. Likely a little low on freon.