Rear A/C condenser in spoiler tail

[Brorag]

Has anyone successfully mounted the rear A/C condenser in a regular spoiler tail?
the car is not a turbo, and the condenser dimensions are 28 1/4" x 10 3/4".
The condenser is larger than the original, and extends past the air intake area:



The tail is stock spoiler pkg:



My intent is to funnel all intake air through the condenser, blocking open space around the installation.

I've also replaced the front condenser with one of the hosts units, and found that the front condenser fan is frozen up. When I dis-assembled it, I found both mounts for the motor brushes burned:



Ordered CCC038 Ametek 3.3 Inch 12 Volt DC Motor from for $56 from electric motor warehouse--will mount via mods in tech forums

[wwest]

The simpler, MUCH simpler, thing to do is mount 2 12 volt radiator cooling fans on the outside of the engine lid, under the spoiler, to force (more) airlfow through the rear condensor just a sit is.

Or...

Why not cut a larger opening in the engine lid above the condensor AND use the appropriately sized radiator fans.

Run the fans at half power, in series, with the A/C enabled, but at full power when the compressor clutch is engaged.

I would also disable the HORRIBLY inefficient squirrel cage blower assembly at the front. As a matter of fact my guess would be that with the 2 new rear fans operational the front condensor/blower would not be required.

[DRACO A5OG]

Place a fuse on the hot lead of that front Condensor motor, you are lucky it did not catch on fire

WW, question, will not opening the lid in my case with a Turbo tail cause the air to flow less over the rear condensor and make the air find the least amount of resistance? I was going to open up my rear lid but was scolded not to. Wondering???

His Carrera tail actually fits only over the OEM inlet.

[Brorag]

I'll absolutely add an inline fuse to the front fan--found that the front fan had been previously unnplugged.
So, sticking the too large (in current position) rear condenser into tail is possible? I also like the idea of putting fans between tail and condenser.
Must cover spaces around condenser, though; most air will go around condenser rather than through it.
I might first get out the duct tape and cover all the open spots around condenser to see if all the changes would be worth the trouble.

wouldn't the fans get in way of air flow at speed?

[scottb]

Originally Posted by Brorag

I'll absolutely add an inline fuse to the front fan.
found that the front fan had been previously unnplugged.
So, sticking the too large (in current position) rear condenser into tail is possible?

There's a factory plug-and-play fuse kit for the front condenser fan. I'm sure out host sells them, or can get one.

[Brorag]

ck it out--this guy did it--clean install.

A/C Condenser Clearance Question??

[Brorag]

Product Quantity Sub Total:
________________________________________
Fan Wire Harness Kit with Relay
SKU: FRH 1 $34.90

________________________________________
SPAL 10" Slim Fan-Push Version
SKU: 30100374 2 $123.80

________________________________________
Subtotal: $158.70
Tax: $0.00
Shipping (Ground (US Cont)): $14.90
Total: $173.60



JayCorp Technologies
JayCorp Technologies

[Brorag]

After screwing up the order, I called SPAL USA and asked for recommendation for fans to blow through an A/C condenser for a space 8.5" X 27.75" (opening in engine lid) Was told to use these.

Will swap monday--prob get 3--SPAL said I can use these on 1 relay.

30100393_SPEC

[Brorag]

Skip this entry for install--read if thinking about making more room for ait in engine compartment: I tried to make room but there is no room to be had--would have to trim heat exchanger plenum to fan, and the modification caused the condenser to bump against the motor fan shroud. I put it all back the way it was.

Had to make room for air flow, so I lowered condenser into eng compartment a smigin
to allow better air circulation through condenser.


any cooling has to fit into this space


Before: condenser fited as close to engine lid as possible


After: I adjusted brackets so that condenser rides lower and slightly rearward of original position


Three small fans should now fit into the space provided, and blow downward into condenser. Wiring kit includes relay, and other stuff to tie to the A/C circuit. There is also a provision for a fan override to run the fans constantly or without the A/C running.
When complete, all air will be forced thru condenser and into eng compartment, with no side leakage.

[Brorag]

Rcv'd 3 SPAL 7.5" fans and went to work:

installed piece of 1/2" X 3/4" L as shown:





tie to center wing mount for stifness and bow:



use spacers to assure proper fit:





route wiring toward fuse block on driver side--3 fans mounted:



I'm beat--happy hour--beer...................

[Brorag]

OK, I finally got this thing back together, and it works:

I installed 3 of these fans. After finishing and testing, I think 2 would have been enough.



part # 30100393 Weight: 2.5 lbs.
VA14-AP7/C-34S FAN (7.5)"
7.5" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan / 12V Pusher
low profile fan line this fan for oil cooler applications. Sealed waterproof/dustproof motor. Each fan individually balanced.

Wired fans to run off relay triggered by A/C compressor clutch wire, so fans go on/off when a/c compressor runs. Used
this relay kit: wiring in this photo routed above and behind fans after install.



............installed relay in the engine compartment fuse and relay panel. Since my car is a cab, there was no rear window fogger relay, but the wiring harness is standard across all models, so the relay plug was present. If you have the fogger relay in place, find another high amp source for 12 volts

I mounted the Spal relay in the fogger relay position, and used the fogger relay plug to tap 12 volts:



...........wrapped sides of A/C condenser so that all air passes through it. There is enough space around fans so that the engine fan can draw cooling air when the A/C fans aren't running.



results:
I left the A/C on and engine running at idle while I tidied up, then checked passenger compartment. It was noticibly colder (it was cold!!!). Previously at idle and low speed the A/C would stop cooling due to inadequate air across the rear condenser; this fixed it.

What I would do different:

• 2 of the above fans instead of 3.
• Maybe look into variable fan speed control--too much air across condenser?
• Fan noise noticible, but not a bother. One less fanwould fix. When a/c on & top is up, cannot hear fans anyway. Can hear fans outside car when running.
• should have done this long time ago

[scottb]

Before sealing up the edges, did you run it without the tape to see how much air was actually escaping?

[Brorag]

Scott,
yes--good bit off to the sides, but given the fan over kill, I think it would have still been effective. I'll probably paint the metal tape--looks a bit gauche.........................

[scottb]

Nice job!

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by Brorag

I've also replaced the front condenser with one of the hosts units, and found that the front condenser fan is frozen up. When I dis-assembled it, I found both mounts for the motor brushes burned:



Ordered CCC038 Ametek 3.3 Inch 12 Volt DC Motor from for $56 from electric motor warehouse--will mount via mods in tech forums

Are the RPM specs of the motor you are noting above the same or better than than the stock Bosch motor?

[Brorag]

ck it out:

Suitable substitute for front condenser fan

[brads911sc]

That doesnt answer the question.

RPM of new fan - 2350.
RPM of Stock Fan - ??

If you are using the same parts (other than motor) then there will need to be a noticeable increase in RPM's to actually make a difference...

Originally Posted by Brorag

ck it out:

Suitable substitute for front condenser fan

[brads911sc]

Do you have a tail?

How does this impact fit of the condenser against the deck on a car without a tail?

Originally Posted by wwest

The simpler, MUCH simpler, thing to do is mount 2 12 volt radiator cooling fans on the outside of the engine lid, under the spoiler, to force (more) airlfow through the rear condensor just a sit is.

[kuehl]

Originally Posted by brads911sc

That doesnt answer the question.

RPM of new fan - 2350.
RPM of Stock Fan - ??

If you are using the same parts (other than motor) then there will need to be a noticeable increase in RPM's to actually make a difference...

The stock motor is TWICE the speed of 2350RPM Ametek

[brads911sc]

In that case it makes NO sense to do this. You are degrading performance by 50%. Unless you are just doing it because you are cheap and want to rig it to save a few dollars.

Originally Posted by kuehl

The stock motor is TWICE the speed of 2350RPM Ametek