Is engine driven AC useful?

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: SupercubPilot  (Original Message)
Sent: 3/31/2004 9:18 AM

Yesterday I started taking all the old heater hoses and radiator hoses off my 79 Itasca. I was a bit shocked to learn that the upper and lower radiator hoses came to $61.00 when purchased from a dealer. I couldn’t find them at Midas. I am thinking about taking off my old AC compressor because all that it is doing right now is getting in the way. I need to change a couple of belts and the darn thing really is a problem. Do most of you us engine driven AC? How much could it possibly help when you consider all the air leaks and square footage within a 26-ft motorhome? Mine has never worked since I purchased it last summer. It came without belts running across the compressor pulley. It probably wouldn’t work anyway and would cost a fortune to replace and get charged with fluid.

Tim



From: denison
Sent: 3/31/2004 10:58 AM

The upper and lower hoses for my old 72 with the 413 cost about $60 for the pair also - and I was glad to get them.
My 72 never had engine driven a.c. With the windows open and driving along, we manage in all temps we have encountered - Las Cruces N.M. at 107 (that was in the shade which we werent) was the hottest. Sleeping in nightime temps of 90+, thats when I Do want the roof a.c. rumbling away.
Since all of my cars are old, the a.c.s dont work, and the first time I work under the hood, the a.c. compressor and its hoses come off, because they are in the way. Its not worth my repairing it, even though I have the freon. No, sorry, I wont sell it. I think you could get the system updated, new hoses, new compressor, etc, and filled with R-134a for between $1200 to $1500, but I will be spending my money on gasoline instead. If you are going to do that, my advice is NOT to look for the cheapest compressor: And at the same time get your radiator cleaned or recored, since that a.c. condenser in front of the radiator will put the engines cooling system under a handicap - the air going into the rad. could be 20 to 30 degrees hotter.
We have tried driving with the roof a.c. running, but we couldnt tell that it made it more comfy than with the windows open. I have a spray bottle to squirt water in my face if I feel really hot.
If I was going to install/repair an a.c. system, I would look around at www.ackits.com for helpful info. 



From: Liv42dayOK
Sent: 3/31/2004 11:32 AM

Hi Tim,

     The motor driven a/c was an option.  I really doubt it did very much for cooling except if you pulled the cockpit curtain across to isolate the driving area.  In addition, running it would reduce your gas mileage as well.  Best bet is to remove the whole schmear.  Gives you more room to work on the motor area too.

     If you look through the message search, you can find threads on what you need to do in order to use your roof a/c while driving.  That unit has much better output and is located in a better position to cool the whole rig. - Sob