Not that I have an immediate need, but I have used an electric power steering pump to great effect, and wonder if this might be a viable solution for some people's projects.
A few years ago when I last looked into this it was a non-starter for cars; the only systems were for campers and it all mounted on the roof. These roll out the door for about 1k delivered, so in line with normal belt driven systems from vintage air.
Unless there's been some technological breakthrough recently I haven't heard about, they are going to require a LOT of power to operate - your alternator and wiring harness will also require upgrades.
Electric cars use them, but they tend to be 400V or so. Here are some specs in the one in the Leaf: https://www.marklines.com/en/report_all/rep1898_201907. 345V, 2.1 kW = 6A.
Be careful about electric replacements.
Power steering is one good example - a hydraulic pump costs c. $250 new while an electric pump (e.g. Mazda 3) is over $1000
I could not imagine doing it at 12v. Picture the size of a 12v motor that can put out a constant 10hp or so for a typical automotive compressor at max load. That is roughly 5-10x more power than a starter motor.
Sean Hyland Motorsport had a 12 volt ac system but I believe they’re out of business. Jegs/Summit Racing had 12 volt systems I found once but searching more recently I haven’t found them. These systems were small for two seaters and large for four seaters.
There is also units for prototype racers which are portable? and at oh E36 M3 prices.
He says this kit is the same one used in Singers. I have questions, too.
He did have to upgrade the alternator.
It would be nice, but yeah they are high voltage.
Its pretty awesome to look under the hood of a 3rd gen prius, and although there is an ICE there, there is no accessory belt.
The ones we used on the EV converted vans were a pain in the arse. The big problem aside from cost (around $1000) was that they use a different oil that is not conductive and before installation the entire system has to be flushed thoroughly. Failure rate was really high (not unexpected... made from the best chinesium!). They ran at 360V.
triumph7 said:The ones we used on the EV converted vans were a pain in the arse. The big problem aside from cost (around $1000) was that they use a different oil that is not conductive and before installation the entire system has to be flushed thoroughly. Failure rate was really high (not unexpected... made from the best chinesium!). They ran at 360V.
This is one thing I found out following some Volt owners online. Since there are electrons at play the refrigerant, oil, and coolant loops in the car it doesn't run standard issue fluids. Probably not such a big issues today since we've had 15-20 years worth of hybrid vehicles.
I believe there are systems meant for RV's out there but I've not gone looking. For smaller aircraft there are electric AC systems but the input voltage is 24V. They're wattage hungry as mentioned. Cool thing about them on aircraft is you can run them off of a power cart so you can get the cabin cool(er) without running an engine. Probably not much of a benefit with a car.
Nitroracer (Forum Supporter) said:triumph7 said:The ones we used on the EV converted vans were a pain in the arse. The big problem aside from cost (around $1000) was that they use a different oil that is not conductive and before installation the entire system has to be flushed thoroughly. Failure rate was really high (not unexpected... made from the best chinesium!). They ran at 360V.
This is one thing I found out following some Volt owners online. Since there are electrons at play the refrigerant, oil, and coolant loops in the car it doesn't run standard issue fluids. Probably not such a big issues today since we've had 15-20 years worth of hybrid vehicles.
Yes, all of those fancy A/C compressors with the motor built in require nonconductive compressor oil. If you don't, at best the automatic safety contactor will open because it detects continuity bewteen the HV battery and chassis ground. At worst... I have heard of a Prius that burned to the ground because it was serviced with the wrong A/C oil.
While I recognize that this is a two year old thread, have any new opinions been had lately?
The rod shop near me (Hot Rod Parts Shop in Concord, CA) will do 12 volt AC installs in classic cars. They have been doing them for a few years now.
They use Vintage Air kits purchased without compressors and then add 12 volt compressors (usually in the trunk) that they source from EV's and they upgrade the alternator.
They swear they work great.
There is a guy at my local C&C that put one in a Corvair. Seems to work good. Not sure how expensive, but he definitely had to upgrade his alternator and wiring. He was having some concerns about cooling for the alternator last I saw him (not sure if that was a realistic concern).
Interested for future updates...
My dad successfully installed a 12V AC compressor into his Alfa Romeo GTV6. It is trunk mounted near the battery. He also installed a higher output alternator, and bought crimp tools to install lines in place. It's been working successfully for the past few years. Some details on the build here: https://www.alfabb.com/threads/electric-ac-compressor-in-gtv6.702966/
They make them for semi trucks and RVs, from what I recall they draw around 80 amps at full load on 12V. So definitely doable with an uprated alternator.
You can boondock with them with about 1000AH of batteries and 600 to 800 watts of solar (dont check my math, going off memory)
Here is the kit I am referencing. 1100 watts on full boogie. So 91 amps at 12V. 76A at 14.4V. Not un-doable with a spicy alternator or dual alternators.
I'm wondering when the aftermarket hybrid assist systems will arrive. I could see something Toyota sourced, with a motor/generator, inverter, and small battery pack. It would have a custom bellhousing for, say, an LS engine, and provide some torque assist at launch and under acceleration. Then you could run the HV Prius style AC systems (which work excellently, IMO). If you ran the electric power steering rack as well you could have a V8 with just a water pump drive up front. Hello low hood lines!
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