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

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-10-2009, 09:59 PM   #1 (permalink)
eco....something or other
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Colfax, WI
Posts: 719

wood hauler - '91 Ford F-250
Team Pontiac
90 day: 18.97 mpg (US)

Rav - '06 Toyota Rav4 Base
90 day: 26.52 mpg (US)
Thanks: 39
Thanked 61 Times in 46 Posts
I find it interesting that nobody mentioned

the fact that removing the A/C condenser improves radiator flow....why?
I might be able to block more of my grille now with it out.AND I CERTAINLY HAVE MORE ROOM TO WORK ON THINGS!!!!!

__________________



1991 F-250:
4.9L, Mazda 5 speed, 4.10 10.25" rear
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to IsaacCarlson For This Useful Post:
wagonman76 (09-11-2009)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 09-10-2009, 10:03 PM   #2 (permalink)
...beats walking...
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: .
Posts: 6,190
Thanks: 179
Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts
...assuming you haven't already removed the a/c system, removing the condenser radiator kinda/sorta puts the a/c system on the "fritz."

...however, yanking it ALL out of the car can reduce weight by up to 100-150 lbs, which should be good for another 1-2% FE!

Last edited by gone-ot; 09-10-2009 at 10:39 PM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 10:37 PM   #3 (permalink)
dcb
needs more cowbell
 
dcb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ÿ
Posts: 5,038

pimp mobile - '81 suzuki gs 250 t
90 day: 96.29 mpg (US)

schnitzel - '01 Volkswagen Golf TDI
90 day: 53.56 mpg (US)
Thanks: 158
Thanked 269 Times in 212 Posts
ac, who needs it. funny how something frivilous that was like non-existant 40 years ago is a "need" for the generations who never lived without it.
__________________
WINDMILLS DO NOT WORK THAT WAY!!!
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 10:40 PM   #4 (permalink)
...beats walking...
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: .
Posts: 6,190
Thanks: 179
Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts
...50-60 years ago, I'd agree; but there were plenty of a/c's sold in cars in 1969!
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 11:23 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
McTimson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Nyack, NY
Posts: 310

Maverick - '22 Ford Maverick XLT
90 day: 39.04 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
100lbs is pushing it for the AC system....it's mostly aluminum, at least it was in my car. The entire system in my car (compressor, condenser, radiators, and misc. plumbing and wiring) only weighed a little over 30lbs. Granted, that's for a 2 door Tercel, but I can't imagine it being too much heavier for a larger car.

The major difference for me when I removed the AC stuff was the realization that my radiator was in terrible condition. The AC radiator was covering up all the damaged/missing fins in the coolant radiator, so I couldn't really tell how bad it was.

As far as whether or not you need AC - there were maybe 2 weeks in this entire summer that I second-guessed my decision to remove the AC. I'm guessing that in Wisconsin, it probably would have been less than that. That's only 4% of the year - and I didn't even open the windows for those 2 weeks. Opening the windows alone would have been more than enough for me, if not, some type of portable fan would have sufficed.

If I were in a hotter climate, my feelings would probably be a little different. I get very claustrophobic in hot, humid areas, so if I was living in somewhere unbearably hot, I'd probably leave some sort of AC installed. But up here in NY, it's really not necessary.
__________________
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2009, 11:23 PM   #6 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
I don't use it often, but some days, I turn it on for a few minutes... mostly when someone else is getting in my car, though. I cool it down a bit for them, but after that, it's windows down, head out the window, panting and gasping for air.

While I'm doing the 007 work on the Van, I plan on removing the A/C, I think... and probably installing a wet HVAC system for evap cooling when necessary.
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2009, 03:56 AM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
orange4boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Wet Coast, Kanuckistan.
Posts: 1,275

The Golden Egg - '93 Toyota Previa DX
90 day: 31.91 mpg (US)

Chewie - '03 Toyota Prius
90 day: 57 mpg (US)

The Spaceship - '00 Honda Insight
Thanks: 100
Thanked 306 Times in 178 Posts
Quote:
ac, who needs it. funny how something frivilous that was like non-existant 40 years ago is a "need" for the generations who never lived without it.
Replace ac in that quote with alternator I'm right with you. Ok, you have to change the whole quote but you get what I mean.

One day people will start saying the same thing about a vastly more wasteful luxury, the alternator which is on all the time. I decided to keep my A/C and use it guilt free the few days of the year when I'm stuck in traffic. I figure I've earned it.

Having said that, the less the better.

Good on ya, I.C. Ha, your initials are I.C, and you are removing your A/C which is Icy. What am I drinking?
__________________
Vortex generators are old tech. My new and improved vortex alternators are unstoppable.

"It’s easy to explain how rockets work but explaining the aerodynamics of a wing takes a rocket scientist.


  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2009, 09:58 AM   #8 (permalink)
Eco Noob
 
Doofus McFancypants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Tosev 3 - Atlanta GA
Posts: 293

Red Rover - '01 Nissan Altima GXE
90 day: 30.07 mpg (US)
Thanks: 5
Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Down here in Atlanta - AC is something that we cannot really do without.

Granted i almost never turn mine on due to...
AM commute - car is "Cool" from overnight low temps
PM commute - car is parked in covered parking deck ( first available spot, facing OUT for quick exit)

But on weekends if driving somewhere with SWMBO - the AC comes on.

So for that reason - It has to stay in car....
__________________
Steve - AKA Doofus McFancypants
------------------------------
"If there's a new way, I'll be the first in line - But it better work this time"

First Milestone passed - 30 MPG (city) 5/15/08
Best City Tank - 8/31/09- 34.3 MPG (EPA= 20)
Best Highway Tank - 5/20/09 - 36.5 MPG (EPA= 28)
------
In effort to drive less:
Miles NOT driven in 2009 = 648 (Work from home and Alt Transporatation)
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2009, 12:29 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
wagonman76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northwest Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,006

Red Car - '89 Chevrolet Celebrity CL 4 door
Team Chevy
90 day: 36.47 mpg (US)

Winter Wagon - '89 Pontiac 6000 LE Wagon
90 day: 28.26 mpg (US)
Thanks: 8
Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts
That is a good point that I hadn't thought about. Considering the only vehicle in my driveway with working AC is the Celeb. I might be able to remove the condensor from the 6k wagon and block off both grilles. Also might be able to remove the condensor from the van and increase cooling when towing. I use a fan over the trans cooler than runs full time with the fuel pump.
__________________

Winter daily driver, parked most days right now


Summer daily driver
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2009, 12:38 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
tasdrouille's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mirabel, QC
Posts: 1,672

The Guzzler - '08 Hyundai Elantra GL
90 day: 33.12 mpg (US)

Got Soul? - '11 Kia Soul 2U
Thanks: 35
Thanked 86 Times in 57 Posts
When both cars are parked in the sun there is a huge difference in temperatures inside my TDI with a light tan interior vs our inside out black Elantra.

__________________



www.HyperKilometreur.com - Quand chaque goutte compte...
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Interesting story that's hard to find RandomFact314 EcoModding Central 1 06-09-2009 01:08 PM
interesting find while simulating wheel dams lunarhighway Aerodynamics 8 12-13-2008 01:31 PM
Interesting find BBsGarage EcoModding Central 17 10-17-2008 04:51 AM
Interesting eco-driving studies and presentations groar Hypermiling / EcoDriver's Ed 10 09-15-2008 03:33 AM
Interesting take on high gas prices jsl4980 The Lounge 2 05-30-2008 04:25 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com