Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > Aerodynamics
Register Now
 Register Now

Now available from EcoModder: ScanGauge II fuel economy gauge.  Click for details.  

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-14-2011, 09:44 PM   #121 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Reidville, SC
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Well that's great you're getting 32+mpg. What did you get before you started the belly pan? I've read pages of this thread and NOWHERE have I found any idea of what % mpg gain you've made. Government estimates are not viable references I've found as it depends on individual tendencies. So did you start out at 28, 30mpg or what? I've got a few vehicles I'm considering this for.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2011, 12:43 PM   #122 (permalink)
Empty Pocketed Ecomodder
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 626

Gen - '05 Liberty Sport
90 day: 22.09 mpg (US)

Blurry - '03 Focus SE
90 day: 35.31 mpg (US)
Thanks: 33
Thanked 53 Times in 42 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by edbso View Post
Underhood temperatures often exceed 100 degrees. The cold line of the air-conditioner and the cool return lines from the evaporator pass through the hot engine compartment. They are often wet and covered with condensation.

It occurred to me that these lines would benefit from insulation so I went to the Home Depot and purchased some insulation for 1/2 inch copper pipe and insulated my pipes. I think that this will increase the efficiency of the system.

Anyone else do this?
being an AC&R tech i'll let you know that it will work better if you insulate only the piping going from the condenser(cooler) to the cabin. the piping going from the compressor to the condenser contains a "superheated" liquid under pressure, once it goes through the condenser it is a subcooled liquid under pressure and then is slowly bled into the evaporator, the drop in pressure causes a large drop in temperature which is where the cooling effect comes from. the piping from the compressor to the condenser will be hot and will be able to lose some of that heat to the engine compartment without the insulation being in place, letting that heat out will improve the efficiency, though it likely won't be a whole lot
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2011, 12:56 PM   #123 (permalink)
Empty Pocketed Ecomodder
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 626

Gen - '05 Liberty Sport
90 day: 22.09 mpg (US)

Blurry - '03 Focus SE
90 day: 35.31 mpg (US)
Thanks: 33
Thanked 53 Times in 42 Posts
Here's a basic diagram. it had never crossed my mind to do this, good idea. as for the return line from the eveporator to the compressor, insulating it will make little difference if any since it get compressed after that. the main areas to gain efficiency are the lines to the condenser being exposed and the lines from the condenser being insulated
Attached Images
File Type: jpg A_C_DIAGRAM_FOR_PAGE_6_1_2n.jpg (36.7 KB, 22 views)
__________________



Last edited by Joenavy85; 02-16-2011 at 01:58 PM.. Reason: read the post thoroughly, 2nd edit due to brain that thinks faster than fingers can type
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Joenavy85 For This Useful Post:
BamZipPow (02-18-2011)
Old 02-17-2011, 04:07 PM   #124 (permalink)
Empty Pocketed Ecomodder
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 626

Gen - '05 Liberty Sport
90 day: 22.09 mpg (US)

Blurry - '03 Focus SE
90 day: 35.31 mpg (US)
Thanks: 33
Thanked 53 Times in 42 Posts
AIR WAVE VORTEX GENERATOR from Aircraft Spruce

Vortex Generators for above the rear window??
__________________


  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Joenavy85 For This Useful Post:
Arctic Fox (01-29-2012)
Old 02-21-2011, 11:50 PM   #125 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
good post
  Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2011, 12:50 PM   #126 (permalink)
UFO
Master EcoModder
 
UFO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 723

Beetle - '01 Beetle GLS
90 day: 42.61 mpg (US)

4x4 - '89 Pickup DLX
90 day: 30.36 mpg (US)
Thanks: 92
Thanked 60 Times in 42 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joenavy85 View Post
AIR WAVE VORTEX GENERATOR from Aircraft Spruce

Vortex Generators for above the rear window??
Hard to beat that price. Once I make my bonneville-type spoiler, it might be worth experimenting with the vortex generators to improve the airflow attachment.


(Support Ecomodder.com & get rid of these annoying ads!)      
 
__________________

"We think B20 is for suckers" N. Cowell, Denver B100
"Climate change denial is a conclusion in search of a rationalization" labman57
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread

Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Vortex generators - where's the solid data for hatchback/van benefits? MetroMPG Aerodynamics 70 03-14-2012 12:25 PM
Metro undertray / belly pan MetroMPG Aerodynamics 33 10-14-2009 11:33 PM
Honda's OEM vortex generators ... on the Ridgeline pickup mirrors MetroMPG Aerodynamics 21 12-06-2008 01:09 PM
More than one Vortex too! Christopher Jordan Fossil Fuel Free 2 02-17-2008 07:57 PM
Plant Stand Vortex Generators? cfg83 Aerodynamics 7 02-14-2008 11:11 PM




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com