Quick AC Condenser Question

[88911coupe]

Came home yesterday in about 99 degree temp and decided to try a quick test on my ac system and the results have me confused. My system is mostly stock however I have added a 12 X 12 condenser with fan in the drivers side wheel well.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see the effect of running water over the rear deck condenser and the one in the wheel well...I assumed it would drop the evaporator/air temps. It did not appear to have ANY effect, does this sound normal? I have a thermometer in the dash and I have been getting about a 30 - 40 degree drop from ambient which was only about 20-25 before I added the add'l condenser.
Forgot to mention, I am using Duracool and when I last checked I was seeing about 25 psi on the low side and about 250 on the high.
I have to say overall it works "okay" at best on the really hot days if it's been in the sun at all.
TIA

[bobeisenberg]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Came home yesterday in about 99 degree temp and decided to try a quick test on my ac system and the results have me confused. My system is mostly stock however I have added a 12 X 12 condenser with fan in the drivers side wheel well.
Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to see the effect of running water over the rear deck condenser and the one in the wheel well...I assumed it would drop the evaporator/air temps. It did not appear to have ANY effect, does this sound normal? I have a thermometer in the dash and I have been getting about a 30 - 40 degree drop from ambient which was only about 20-25 before I added the add'l condenser.
Forgot to mention, I am using Duracool and when I last checked I was seeing about 25 psi on the low side and about 250 on the high.
I have to say overall it works "okay" at best on the really hot days if it's been in the sun at all.
TIA

Sorry I can’t answer your question but I have one for you. Can you tell me if the additional condenser was put in the front or rear driver’s side wheel well and what brand it is or seller you bought it from? Thx for any info you can share and I hope you get some answers to your question. Bob

[Michael7810]

First I'm no AC expert but recently installed the Griffith's upgrade replacing the stock parts with NO fender condensers. On a 95F day my vent temp was 40F (so 55F below ambient) at idle in the shade. So you should be doing much better than 30-40 drop. Because spraying water on the condenser did not drop the vent temp, your problem is not lack of condenser capacity. Something else, improper charge, air/moisture in the system, expansion valve, dirty evap, etc. This assumes that your condensers are in good shape, fans are working properly, and the fins are not clogged with dirt.

[GH85Carrera]

You say you ran water over the condenser. Did you use a sprayer to mist the condenser with small drops, or just a steady stream of water from a hose?

I have never tried to do just use water as a test, but I have the four condenser Griffith's system and my AV vent temps are very cool.

I know just a little water will make a big drop in my oil temp on a hot day. Driving on the highway and going through a wet area and splashing water on the front cooler makes a real drop. Of course the oil cooler is about the same as the condenser in function, cool the liquid within.

[mtb001]

Spraying water on the condenser removes heat from refrigerant but won't change vent temperature if the expansion valve was already seeing sub-cooled liquid at the valve. The drop in pressure across the expansion valve creates the drop in temperature in the evap coil.

The oil cooler does not use pressure difference, it's simply cooling the hot oil by blowing cooler air across the fins of the cooler.

[GH85Carrera]

True, but the real issue for the stock AC system on the G body cars is lack of condenser area. If the condenser can't cool the liquid enough, it will never make cold air.



When I can get the gas returning to the compressor cold enough to make the return line frost up the compressor stays cool, and I am getting cold temps in the cabin.