Improve Front Condensor Performance!

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by BarryJB

J,
The technique for installing a Dayton Dayton 3LCH7 (about $50) into a footwell blower assembly is described here: (EASY DIY Footwell blower upgrade! - Rennlist Discussion Forums). It maybe be here too somewhere.

The technique would be similar for the condenser. I'm not sure though how the 2350rpm compares to the OEM footwell/condenser/fresh air blower motor speeds, which are all the same physical form (not sure about polarity) and are mechanically interchangeable (as per post 35) in those housings, FME footwell is faster than condenser motor and improves condenser. 3LCH7 is more usually used replace the engine compartment blower... but don't know rpm of OEM there either
Barry

Sad, I guess. I'm in line at Disneyland and I'm checking pelican. Thanks for the motor info. I think I have the no loss speed of the oe motor written down at home. Also have a link to surplus motors online. Found at least one that might work that was over 3k no load speed. Less than $20. These were from other auto apps so amp draw was low. Also the Fasco cages that should work with 1/4 and 5/16 shaft diameters.

J
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

[BarryJB]

Originally Posted by mclmk8d

Barry, will the Dayton motor shaft fit onto the cage fan of the front condenser without modification?

No it (the squirrel cage boss) has to be drilled out, the Rennlister (thread quoted above) used a 15/64-in drill but thought it a bit tight although he felt that meant it didn't need a threaded hole/set screw added. I'd probably go with a number drill set and try to get a bit closer and add a set screw. Also I see JAR0023 is posting some good alternative motor/squirrel cage info!

I'll go to Dayton or similar - or "JAR0023-style", I like the idea of higher rpm! - for all blower locations once my stash of footwell blower motors is all kaput. But for increased front condenser performance (as per this thread's purpose ) a higher speed than OEM definitely is the biz, so actual rpm info beyond bench comparisons as some of us have done will be really helpful...
Barry

[BarryJB]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Sad, I guess. I'm in line at Disneyland and I'm checking pelican. Thanks for the motor info. I think I have the no loss speed of the oe motor written down at home. Also have a link to surplus motors online. Found at least one that might work that was over 3k no load speed. Less than $20. These were from other auto apps so amp draw was low. Also the Fasco cages that should work with 1/4 and 5/16 shaft diameters.

J
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

At least it's a slightly cool cloudy day for that here in SoCal. Likewise, your motor finds sound promising too, I hope you keep us all here (or elsewhere if you have other than the front condenser app) on specifics - my car has well over 1/3 million miles now, over half mine, and the only motors I haven't replaced (even once) are the fresh air & A/C evap blower motors (both of which have been complaining on&off for some time...), and a solid upgrade to something else, even with mods/work, is no bad thing in my book. And I'd love to put something even faster than the OEM footwell motor in the front condenser blower, as I know from that, that more fan there definitely helps.
BTW, D-land? Isn't this a great day for a P-land wild ride, A/C or no?! Of course maybe you're a dad and your offspring wouldn't agree... at least you can prolly read the display on your smartphone while waiting in line
Barry

[wwest]

Originally Posted by brads911sc

Cant prove it but Id think the front condenser is more a weakness than the deck. Not saying every bit doesnt help. Just saying that this will only work if everything else is great.

The front condensor was added after customers complained of insufficient A/C capability with only the rear deck condensor.

I disconnected my front condensor fan because it was making a LOT of noise and didn't seem to be moving much airflow. As a result I discovered it was really NOT needed with the more efficient rear cooling fans.[

[mclmk8d]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Sad, I guess. I'm in line at Disneyland and I'm checking pelican. Thanks for the motor info. I think I have the no loss speed of the oe motor written down at home. Also have a link to surplus motors online. Found at least one that might work that was over 3k no load speed. Less than $20. These were from other auto apps so amp draw was low. Also the Fasco cages that should work with 1/4 and 5/16 shaft diameters.

J
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk 2

I hope you're enjoying Disney...always a fun place no matter how old you are!
Could you post a link to the above-mentioned source for surplus motors online? I'd like to take a look at it. Thanks.

[JAR0023]

Here are some links.

This site has part number and dimensions for the Fasco blower wheels...but they want you to buy four at a time. I ended up buying from another source. Good info here. I bought a 1-6040. 3 13/16" diameter will be close and may actually be a touch too large to use with a stock motor. My fan arrived the day before we left and I was only able to check it via Mk I eyeball. If you went to an alternate motor and mounting you could recenter easy.

Fasco Motors Single Inlet Blower Wheels

I ended up purchasing from here. No problem buying one at a time and they are in Metarie, LA so close to me. Shipping was quick.

http://www.idealappliance.com/page-home_1.aspx

Here the link to a good selection of DC motors cheap. I haven't really dug through this site much but it looks like there are a few motors that could be adapted to the blower case.

Surplus Center - Electric Motors, Gearmotors, Relays, Toggle Switches

Link to Brorag's thread where he used a non-stock motor for the condenser blower.

Suitable substitute for front condenser fan


J

[mclmk8d]

Does the fan go clockwise or counter-clockwise?

[mclmk8d]

Never mind...I see it's CW.

[JAR0023]

Brief update. Arrived home yesterday to a pile of boxes and two weeks worth of husbandry around the house. Had a little time to mess with the condenser blower late yesterday. My housing is pretty beat up so my plan was to pick up a good used factory unit to run in the car and serve as a baseline. I purchased one but what arrived was an evap box and blower. Back to square one on that one. I did recieve my used footwell blowers and was able to install one along with the Fasco cage in my battered but serviceable housing. Also picked up the factory wiring harness and fuse. No pics for now I'll try to go back later and add some. I also have a laser tach coming to check rpms. ($15, god bless Amazon)

The footwell blower motor fits and works. It's set up with female spade connecters and the original is one male/one female so I had to change that out. No biggie.

The Fasco squirrel cage I referenced earlier fits and works. If nothing else here's a good replacement for the oem that can't be bought alone. Probably 1/8 clearance mounted. Cage has 1/4" diameter hole. So 6.35mm. Motor has 6mm shaft. I used a blue ribbon shim (aluminum can) cut the height of the collar and about 3/4 of the diameter. This filled the gap fine and allowed the set screw to bite into actuall shaft. Very little runout on the Fasco cage.

With no cage the 7.5 amp fuse held. Once I installed the cage and powered up the motor I blew the 7.5 amp fuse. I didn't have a 10 amp handy but a 15 amp held. I'll try a 10 amp later tonight. Didn't take the time yesterday to put a meter on it.

So far it's mounted and it works. Kind of loud, but I don't have any reference to the original motor. No louder than any other a/c fan on the front of a car I guess but other cars have engine noise to disguise the fan noise. Can't hear it in the car when idling. Can just barely hear it in the car with windows down and a/c blowing with car off.

Definately pushing some air. I can wave my hand under the fonr valance and feel air blowing down across the condenser. No idea on the CFM but I'll try and have loaded and no load rpm's later this week.

My car is an 86 and the system is all original with R12. It was only 95* with 50% humidity here yesterday. I was getting 60* vent temps w/o the fan. 57* with fan installed. Not much but each little bit helps. So far I have about $40 in this fix. Still looking for an factory blower set up. I'd like to see if the stronger motor makes any difference. I could live without the extra noise if there's nothing really to be gained.

To recap, the blower unit is $350 ish new if you shop around. The motor is $65 ish. You can buy footwell blowers all day long on Ebay and here for $40 or less. The Fasco squirrel cage is a suitable replacement and can be sourced for less than $15 bucks. I haven't found a way to buy only the OE fan.

J