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EcoCivic · 06-25-2021, 05:09 PM

Hello everyone, I am wondering if anyone here has ever somehow used an electric AC compressor in a vehicle or has any ideas on how to do so. I like being cool but running the AC really kills my MPG, so I am wondering how practical an electric AC compressor would be so I could stay cool without killing my MPG. The other really nice benefit of an electric AC compressor is that I could run the AC while parked without running the engine so I could be comfortable while sitting in my car eating and such.

Obviously for this idea to be beneficial, the electricity to run the compressor would need to come from a source other than the alternator. I'm thinking a gen 4 Prius battery would be a good power source due to its 8.8 Kwh capacity, relatively small size and weight, and relatively low cost at a junkyard. If an electric compressor draws 2Kw I should be able to run my AC for 4 ish hours off of a charge, which is way more than enough for me.

Initially I was thinking of using the Prius compressor since those are available used for pretty cheap, but after a bit more research it looks that may not be possible since it appears to be a 3 phase inverter driven AC motor and the inverter seems to need a signal from the climate control module to function.

After seeing how expensive DC powered AC compressors are, I'm starting to think a better option may be to utilize the OEM compressor by using a belt drive and an electric motor to spin it. This method would also have the advantage of not requiring custom AC lines as long as I could find a motor small enough to drive the compressor in its current location, perhaps something that could fit where the power steering pump used to be. I would just need to figure out a way to power the compressor from the battery pack.

Although this setup would no doubt be complicated and pretty expensive, it also has some very real benefits and I think it should be doable.

If anyone has input, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to share them. I appreciate any input.

Thank you very much in advance, looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this concept!

06-25-2021, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
EcoCivic Master EcoModder Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 463 Thanks: 320 Thanked 107 Times in 81 Posts	Electric AC compressor? Hello everyone, I am wondering if anyone here has ever somehow used an electric AC compressor in a vehicle or has any ideas on how to do so. I like being cool but running the AC really kills my MPG, so I am wondering how practical an electric AC compressor would be so I could stay cool without killing my MPG. The other really nice benefit of an electric AC compressor is that I could run the AC while parked without running the engine so I could be comfortable while sitting in my car eating and such. Obviously for this idea to be beneficial, the electricity to run the compressor would need to come from a source other than the alternator. I'm thinking a gen 4 Prius battery would be a good power source due to its 8.8 Kwh capacity, relatively small size and weight, and relatively low cost at a junkyard. If an electric compressor draws 2Kw I should be able to run my AC for 4 ish hours off of a charge, which is way more than enough for me. Initially I was thinking of using the Prius compressor since those are available used for pretty cheap, but after a bit more research it looks that may not be possible since it appears to be a 3 phase inverter driven AC motor and the inverter seems to need a signal from the climate control module to function. After seeing how expensive DC powered AC compressors are, I'm starting to think a better option may be to utilize the OEM compressor by using a belt drive and an electric motor to spin it. This method would also have the advantage of not requiring custom AC lines as long as I could find a motor small enough to drive the compressor in its current location, perhaps something that could fit where the power steering pump used to be. I would just need to figure out a way to power the compressor from the battery pack. Although this setup would no doubt be complicated and pretty expensive, it also has some very real benefits and I think it should be doable. If anyone has input, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to share them. I appreciate any input. Thank you very much in advance, looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this concept! Last edited by EcoCivic; 06-25-2021 at 05:15 PM..