A/C BASICS
| There are six basic components needed to complete an air conditioning installation: evaporator, compressor, compressor bracket, hose kit (A/C hose, fittings, crimp ferrules, o-rings and drier with drier brackets), condenser and safety switch. The following is a brief description of each of these components: |
EVAPORATORS
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The evaporator
is the unit that mounts inside the vehicle on the firewall. This component
contains a tube and fin coil similar to a radiator in which liquid refrigerant
and engine coolant travel through. The blower forces air across the
coil, through duct hose and out vents. An important aspect of evaporators
is the coil size. Since a coil can only process a specific amount of
air at any time, it is important that the coil size be adequate for
the interior size of the vehicle (i.e. larger vehicles require larger
coils/evaporators). Hot Rod Air uses the largest A/C and heater pass
coils available for maximum performance. |
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COMPRESSORS
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The primary
compressor used in Hot Rod Air systems is the Sanden 508 compressor.
This small bodied aluminum compressor features five pistons for smooth
operation. The advantage of the 508 is it provides ample capacity for
the majority of performance vehicle applications but requires very little
horsepower to operate. Sanden 505, 510 and 709 series are also used in special applications depending on condenser size and space available. Although the 508 is the preferred compressor for Hot Rod Air systems, ask our sales staff about adapting stock GM and Ford compressors to your system. |
ENGINE BRACKETS
Hot
Rod Air has a complete selection of quality brackets for mounting accessories
to number of different engines by various manufacturers. Whether you
prefer the simple functionality of steel or the high tech show look
of billet aluminum, Hot Rod Air has brackets not only for compressors
but also matching brackets for alternators as well. We also offer a
universal bracket with which a bracket for special applications can
be fabricated. |
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HOSE KITS
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In
order to maintain the required pressures, an air conditioning system
must implement hoses with crimped fittings. There are three different
sizes of hose used: #8 from the compressor to the condenser, #6 from
the condenser through the drier to the evaporator and #10 from the evaporator
back to the compressor. Due to a variety of hose layouts, Hot Rod Air
offers universal hose kits that allow the builder to make hoses to his
own length specifications. Kits are available with either barb or beadlock
style fittings. |
DRIERS
The
drier mounts into the #6 high pressure line between the condenser and
the evaporator. Containing a dessicant, the drier removes moisture to
prevent damage to other components in the system as well as filters
out any loose particles that may be present in the system. |
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CONDENSERS
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Two
conditions are required to condense refrigerant gas into a liquid: high
pressure and the removal of heat. After the compressor puts the refrigerant
gas under pressure, it enters the condenser where heat is removed and
the refrigerant becomes a liquid. The condenser needs to be mounted
where it can receive ample fresh air across it. The recommended location
for maximum condenser efficiency is in front of the radiator. However,
it can be mounted remotely if there is absolutely no room in front of
the radiator. |
SAFETY SWITCHES
| The safety
switch is one of the most important yet most overlooked portion of the
air conditioning system. The function of the safety switch is to monitor
high and low side pressure and shut down the system if the pressure exceeds
safe or drops below operating limits.
The binary switch simply splices between the compressor
clutch and evaporator thermostat and taps into the high pressure line.
When pressures exceed safe limits, the switch opens the circuit to the
compressor clutch thus disengaging the compressor until pressure return
to normal. |
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| The trinary switch operates much the same as the binary in that it shuts down the compressor when pressures rise. However, the trinary also controls an electric fan on the radiator that pulls additional air across the condenser to bring pressures down. | |
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7079
Hwy ZZ / Cuba, MO 65453
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