Increasing A/C Performance

[disappoint]

You do realize that propane at 1 atmosphere is a very explosive gas, while gasoline at 1 atmosphere is a liquid, and gasoline as a liquid does not explode? Gasoline in a tank does not explode in a huge fireball like in the movies.

There's no such thing as gasoline fumes.

There's no such thing as gasoline fumes.

There's no such thing as gasoline fumes.

Nope. Still not believing it.

 

[ballmode]

What are some good cars with dual evaporators etc. for some good a/c? Seems like every american car I've been in has better A/C than a German/Japanese car

When I read features like a/c cooled seats on an IS350 or even a Hyundai Sonata I'm impressed and want to cool my balls down

 

[LTC8K6]

My 2008 Jeep will freeze me out even on a 95 degree day. It might have better A/C because of the larger space it has to cool.

 

[phucheneh]

What are some good cars with dual evaporators etc. for some good a/c? Seems like every american car I've been in has better A/C than a German/Japanese car

When I read features like a/c cooled seats on an IS350 or even a Hyundai Sonata I'm impressed and want to cool my balls down

Cooled seats are just ventilated covers and what basically amounts to a ball-bearing PC fan. A lot of cars have vents under the seat for rear passengers, though (ducts go under carpet), so I'm sure that helps to some extent to pipe cool air up your butt. Having seen how simple they are with the covers off, it does surprise me how effective they can be.

As for dual evaporators, I've never known anything to have them except big SUV's, where the second evaporator is used for the rear AC. 'Dual zone' climate control is just a pair of blend doors in the dash.

And I stand corrected on the R134a flammability. I found the actual technical data for Dupont R134a, and it does indeed list an autoignition point that coincides with the other claims of ~750*C that I see. I'm kind of baffled by how technical info (textbooks, manufacturer training, ect) typically calls it non-flammable. Hell, I believe it even says nonflammable on Wikipedia (yeah, I know, it's Wikipedia...but basic, available info like that tends not to be wrong).

Again, though, autoignition does not tell you everything. That's the temp needed for spontaneous ignition, and it only becomes possible...it's not a guaranteed bang. I will not pretend to completely grasp these concepts. Going back to Dupont, they even seem to contradict themselves:

HFO-1234yf has properties similar to HFC-134a, but is mildly flammable.

http://www2.dupont.com/hfo1234yf/en_US/test_results/flammability.html

...but I can find no specs for HFO-1234yf to compare with the listed data for R134a. They even mention the Daimler study there, and basically say it's invalid because it's not 'real world.' I kinda disagree. They sprayed 1234yf at a hot turbocharger, I believe. It went bang. They did the same with R134a, and it did not. Goes back to the 'unlikely does not mean impossible' concerns of propane. Of course you could have a massive refrigerant release near a hot turbo...why would you claim that you couldn't? Just because all cars do not have turbos, does not exactly negate their existence.

 

[LTC8K6]

I believe there are actual air-conditioned seats in addition to seats that are just ventilated. BMW's ventilated seats have 9 fans. I think the Lexus Climate Comfort seats are actually cooled and not just ventilated.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/magazine/articles/Vehicle-Insider/Climate-Control

33.6 seconds to comfortable...subjective...

 

[phucheneh]

Well nevermind then.

I was thinking that even if they wanted to, it seems logistically difficult. You'd need a durable flexible hose piped into the seat, and an extra door and actuator that is able to direct air into the seats no matter what the AC setting is (and turn it off if desired).

I still would wonder if it's not just a duct dumping air under the seat when the AC is on.

(oh, and holy hell at the nine fan thing. That seems...excessive.)

 

[LTC8K6]

Well nevermind then.

I was thinking that even if they wanted to, it seems logistically difficult. You'd need a durable flexible hose piped into the seat, and an extra door and actuator that is able to direct air into the seats no matter what the AC setting is (and turn it off if desired).

I still would wonder if it's not just a duct dumping air under the seat when the AC is on.

Some use those peltier devices. What they do with the hot side, I don't know.

You can also buy aftermarket seats.

 

[ino uno soweno]

Cooled seats are just ventilated covers and what basically amounts to a ball-bearing PC fan. A lot of cars have vents under the seat for rear passengers, though (ducts go under carpet), so I'm sure that helps to some extent to pipe cool air up your butt. Having seen how simple they are with the covers off, it does surprise me how effective they can be.

As for dual evaporators, I've never known anything to have them except big SUV's, where the second evaporator is used for the rear AC. 'Dual zone' climate control is just a pair of blend doors in the dash.

And I stand corrected on the R134a flammability. I found the actual technical data for Dupont R134a, and it does indeed list an autoignition point that coincides with the other claims of ~750*C that I see. I'm kind of baffled by how technical info (textbooks, manufacturer training, ect) typically calls it non-flammable. Hell, I believe it even says nonflammable on Wikipedia (yeah, I know, it's Wikipedia...but basic, available info like that tends not to be wrong).

Again, though, autoignition does not tell you everything. That's the temp needed for spontaneous ignition, and it only becomes possible...it's not a guaranteed bang. I will not pretend to completely grasp these concepts. Going back to Dupont, they even seem to contradict themselves:



http://www2.dupont.com/hfo1234yf/en_US/test_results/flammability.html

...but I can find no specs for HFO-1234yf to compare with the listed data for R134a. They even mention the Daimler study there, and basically say it's invalid because it's not 'real world.' I kinda disagree. They sprayed 1234yf at a hot turbocharger, I believe. It went bang. They did the same with R134a, and it did not. Goes back to the 'unlikely does not mean impossible' concerns of propane. Of course you could have a massive refrigerant release near a hot turbo...why would you claim that you couldn't? Just because all cars do not have turbos, does not exactly negate their existence.

I am "just following", but I can see the effort in your post, thanks, very interesting,

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20080229/amerigon-climate-control-seat/

Mini heat pump, believe it or not...

 

[Murloc]

in my experience if the car is weak, the AC will be weak and you just have to deal with it.
If you can't stand waiting a few minutes before it's cool, you need remote start.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Or park under some shade (and then have to deal with bird poop).

 

[kitatech]

steppinthrax says:
"...after it's been in the parking lot the whole day. The A/C takes a few moments to get colder. I know it's running a proper charge and the condenser coil is clean. I was thinking of a few things...."


'...a few moments...?' really? moments?

Why do people think of the most expensive ideas 1st...when this...

This [T2urtle recommended tint] and get a sun shade for the front windshield it really helps as your dash gets very hot including the AC vents, they have to cool off first before you get true cold air... ...

35% front sides, 20% rear sides, 35% rear window is the legal limit in most states, but here in Florida 20% front sides gets a pass....(cost me $120 on my 05 Cam)...then get one of those aluminum covered front accordion shades for the front windshield...

Finally...if the outside air is cooler than inside...1st run the A/C with OPEN vents (and crack a rear window) until the air feels cold then close windows and turn the dial to recirculation (MAX cooling)...