Stacking condensers - thoughts

[SFR]

Challenge: I’d like to run 2 AC condensers (with CR electric AC). The front bumper has been severely modified, brought in 2”, with the bottom curving in to ‘fit’ the fender better. Same with rear bumper, brought in 2”, bottom reworked…

I can’t (nicely) fit the condenser and fan in rear bumper, the right side front fender has oil cooler line for center cooler.

I can stack the two condensers and get it to fit in the left front fender.
I’m no A/C expert but theoretically this should work, yes, no? It increases the surface area of the condenser(s)…so it should be better than one?

Maybe a bigger fan would help, but what CR provides seams to pull air fine (based on paper in front of condensers test), and bigger fan may not fit.

Here are some pictures (disregard the paint sticks in between the condensers, this is just for test fitting).

[mepstein]

Not generally recommended. You are pre heating the 2nd condenser with hot air off the first one and further blocking air flow.

[SFR]

mepstein - good point and I did think of that, but a lot of condensers sit in front of radiators.
Wondering if the heat from rads effect condensers.

My thought was to feed the condenser in the back first and then loop to the front one, this way gas is a little cooler going into the front one.

Anyway, worst case i just run one condenser.

[rdimarco]

I have a single 12" x 12" condenser in same location with a 12" puller fan behind it and a 3" opening in the spoiler in front of it. I get plenty of cold air. I was able to remove the rear deck lid condenser without compromising cold AC (not electric).

[GH85Carrera]

The rear fender is open front and back. I have 4 condensers total. The original two, and two more from Griffiths in the rear fenders. They work.

[SFR]

CR provides a 14”x11” condenser (I would not be able to get the 12” installed, the 11” just fits).
I’m thinking, if it does no harm, I may try it, it’s got to be better than just one - right?

I tried to get it in the rear quarter, no luck; maybe I’m missing how to install it (and not have it get beat up with road debris).

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by SFR

CR provides a 14”x11” condenser (I would not be able to get the 12” installed, the 11” just fits).
I’m thinking, if it does no harm, I may try it, it’s got to be better than just one - right?

I tried to get it in the rear quarter, no luck; maybe I’m missing how to install it (and not have it get beat up with road debris).

Griffith's sells a kit. He has the brackets, and a piece of thick plastic to protect the condensers. The both have fans. I have 76,000 miles over 16 years on them. Not one issue at all. And I have been on gravel and dirty roads, snow and very hot conditions in those miles. I have no idea if he sells just the two condensers, I bought his Mr. Ice project at it came with everything.

[47silver]

Gh85 do uou know how many btu’s your compressor is rated? Seems like an effficient set up. Did you have to chop up the dash or heating system?

[pmax]

Originally Posted by SFR

I can stack the two condensers and get it to fit in the left front fender.
I’m no A/C expert but theoretically this should work, yes, no? It increases the surface area of the condenser(s)…so it should be better than one?

Airflow isn't the same with the increased "blockage".

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 47silver

Gh85 do uou know how many btu’s your compressor is rated? Seems like an effficient set up. Did you have to chop up the dash or heating system?

The compressor is the stock Nippondenso just like my car was delivered with from the factory. The heating system was not any part of the AC system and untouched. And no, the dash is not cut up and is factory original. I did add two small under dash vents as my 85 has the smaller dash vents. And I have the Griffiths Hurricane blower that blows a lot more air that the OEM evaporator motor. I also have his variable speed blower control, and temperature controller that has a LED to tell me the compressor is off or on.

[ryans65]

i think as long as you had enough air flowing through the condensers it would probably be fine

[Jonny H]

Originally Posted by mepstein

Not generally recommended. You are pre heating the 2nd condenser with hot air off the first one and further blocking air flow.

^ This. We have run this configuration through thermal analysis and it offers no real gain over a single condenser.

[ryans65]

well, there you go!

Originally Posted by Jonny H

^ This. We have run this configuration through thermal analysis and it offers no real gain over a single condenser.