Electric A/C compressor

[roadman5312]

   I talked to several people this year @ Carlisle that showed alot of interest in this product. I've been doing A/C since the 60's and have been waiting for someone to make it happen. Well its here, we bought one and it's going to be installed in Toxicwolfs Challenger. It looks like the car will be in house from paint jail by end of this week so I'm starting this thread just for the A/C, it will also be cross referenced in Toxics restoration thread. Anyway my current plan is to mount it inside the RF fender behind the headlights on a bracket attached to the frame. Anyway, there will be lots of pics and info. Meantime, a link to Jegs for the compressor.    http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Products/JEGS-Remote-Mount-Electric-A-C-Compressor/3151133/10002/-1

[ToxicWolf]

Now the fun begins. 

[67vertman]

Now that is cool.  I may go this route, a lot less hassle then trying to put an aftermarket compressor on a 6 pac car.

Keep us informed.

Also, do you think the price will drop once they become more popular?

[ToxicWolf]

Now that is cool.  I may go this route, a lot less hassle then trying to put an aftermarket compressor on a 6 pac car.

Keep us informed.

Also, do you think the price will drop once they become more popular?

And no added drag on the engine. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Innovation is nice but between it's size, the amp draw & the price I personally don't see it as the answer.... The smaller unit won't provide enough cooling, the large unit is $1500.00 just for the compressor.. You still need the condenser, evaporator, controls, ducts, hoses.... So figure $2500 gets you A/C but now you need an Alternator upgrade and some minor wiring upgrades... The compressor draws 25 amps, the blower typically draws another 6-10 amps.. 

A Sanden with brackets will set you back, $250ish, so for 1200 or so you can go the conventional route.. Personally my car was factory A/C so I used most of the stock stuff so it cost me around $350 with a Sanden, the brackets, hoses, R134 everything...

[GoodysGotaCuda]

And no added drag on the engine. 

It adds load to the alternator, unless you've found a source of free energy that I haven't heard of yet. Even in my industry, heavy-duty trucks, overnight battery powered systems that run the a/c are not free and require extensive charging after being used all night.


I'd be curious how effective it really is before diving in. Jump in a car that's been sitting in the Summer sun all day and I don't care how much horsepower it draws, I want cold air and I want it as soon as possible!

[ToxicWolf]

It adds load to the alternator, unless you've found a source of free energy that I haven't heard of yet. Even in my industry, heavy-duty trucks, overnight battery powered systems that run the a/c are not free and require extensive charging after being used all night.


I'd be curious how effective it really is before diving in. Jump in a car that's been sitting in the Summer sun all day and I don't care how much horsepower it draws, I want cold air and I want it as soon as possible!

Definitely draws more electrical power.  I was referring to the engine. No belt needed to drive the compressor.   This will probably be the first time it has been tried on an e-body.  Lots to learn. 

[AARTA340]

Innovative thinkers is how this hobby progresses. True not all ideas work out in the long run, but if not for guys like this willing to try something new, where would we be. I am looking forward to see how the plan works out.

[67vertman]

Bill my car was an A/C car as well, I ditched the pump, dryer, and condenser, and engine compartment A/C hoses.

I have heard that the adding A/C to a six pac car is a challenge.  I like the idea of a hidden system.  But as stated I would need to hear/read more about the effectiveness of the electronic unit before I dropped $1500 on it.

[ToxicWolf]

Bill my car was an A/C car as well, I ditched the pump, dryer, and condenser, and engine compartment A/C hoses.

I have heard that the adding A/C to a six pac car is a challenge.  I like the idea of a hidden system.  But as stated I would need to hear/read more about the effectiveness of the electronic unit before I dropped $1500 on it.

Definately a gamble.   One of the reasons I wanted to try it is that my wife's toyota has electric ac in it.  When I'm waiting for her at the airport I can run the ac with the engine off.  I just thought that was cool.  And it blows cold air.  The real primary reason is I live in Florida (need ac year round) and I wanted a clean engine bay.  With the hemi in there, that doesn't leave much room for an ac system.  We plan on putting the compressor and all the ac hoses in the fender.  Not visible at all. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Bill my car was an A/C car as well, I ditched the pump, dryer, and condenser, and engine compartment A/C hoses.

I have heard that the adding A/C to a six pac car is a challenge.  I like the idea of a hidden system.  But as stated I would need to hear/read more about the effectiveness of the electronic unit before I dropped $1500 on it.

I've seen compressors mounted two ways on Sixpacks, down low on the passenger side so it's hard to spot (requires an electric fuel pump) or using the same brackets I've got, it clears the stock air cleaner, even seen it used with a Shaker but the carbs had to be spaced up 1/4".... 


FWIW since getting the A/C back in working condition it's more tempting than ever to go for a cruise... We get some serious heat here (100+ is common, 110 does
 happen) So mid summer drives can be unpleasant.. Now I put up the top, roll up the windows & crank up the A/C.... 20-30 years ago we looked for cars without A/C cause it didn't look cool... Now that I'm older & wiser turns out A/C is very cool.... And I don't care what it looks like cause traveling down the road no ones gonna see it...

[roadman5312]

Now that is cool.  I may go this route, a lot less hassle then trying to put an aftermarket compressor on a 6 pac car.

Keep us informed.

Also, do you think the price will drop once they become more popular?

                  As with anything new I'm sure the price will come down as more mfg. jump on the wagon and offer similar compressors. We had planned on the Sanden under the alterntor, but it requires a bracket that doubles as a fuel pump block off plate. Well, the Indy aluminum block has no provision for a mechanical fuel pump. This was pretty much our only option, but we wanted to do it anyway.     I should be starting the preliminary install in a couple weeks.

[brads70]

Interesting, curious how it works out for you? Take/post lots of pictures! 

[roadman5312]

    Decided on mounting it on a plate welded to the top rear of the RF fender bracket where it bolts to the frame. Appears I have plenty of tire clearance, the unit is water proof, and well hidden. The drier and all the hoses will be inside the fender also. Heres some fab up pics. 

                                                                           

[YellowThumper]

In for seeing this play out.
will you mount that with some vibration dampening?