12 Volt AC Compressor

[Golten951]

Hey Folks. I have started the conversion on my Wife's 85.5 S2 swapped 944. Doing a 12 volt electric AC compressor. Will be setting it up over the next few weeks as I have time and report whether it is worth it or not. here is a video of the progress and some pictures. If it legit is worth it. I plan on doing a parts list write up and a bit of a walk through on what I did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_wIREtTgDs

[Cappt]

This is very interesting and show promise Will be watching.

[originalowner]

How much power does it draw? 944's aren't known for high alternator output.

[Cappt]

Originally Posted by originalowner

How much power does it draw? 944's aren't known for high alternator output.

Looking at some models online the specs call for 60-80A, 944 stock alternator rated for 90/110 depending on year. looks like an alternator upgrade is in order, I think somebody has plans for a Nissan Quest alternator that fits with little modification and was rated up to 110-130A.

[Golten951]

Should be pretty neat. Hoping I can get to testing by end of the week. I have already updated to the Nissan Quest alternator and built all new cables for the charging and ground system. The compressor at Peak draw is 100amps.

[Golten951]

Hey all. Got to make some progress on my conversion. Here are some pictures and my Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5sM0UegjNY

[dme]

Originally Posted by Golten951

The compressor at Peak draw is 100amps.

Wow, 1200 watts plus change! That's going to take some heavy-duty wires.

PS, The Nissan Quest alternator is one of the few/best mods I've done to my car.

[Golten951]

Hi Folks. I have a few updates for this, sorry it has taken a while, but ran into a running problem.

Clip 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W74GrUEBBMA

I have a 120 amp alternator in the car. Here is clip 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuHe6DDZC4U

once this is actually running good I will do a diagram for the wiring.

[Golten951]

If anyone is interested. This is my Playlist for my Conversion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_wIREtTgDs&list=PLkDrta9pxuhTV2lA-ahsahsF00pX64Acx

[Monkey Wrench]

If you can generate enough amps , one of these peltier coolers would be very simple. a lot of things use them now, like bar fridges. other than a fan , no moving parts, no gasses to leak , no hoses. unlike a fridge they dont need a separate cooling system.

one drawback is that hey are not super efficient, The real advantage is the simplicity.

here's a link to one on amazon but there is a lot of different ones and different sizes if you look into that.

https://www.amazon.ca/LANTRO-JS-Semiconductor-Refrigeration-Thermoelectric/dp/B094NMHPGJ

it might need a separate battery, wired like in an RV so you can't use up your starting battery with the extra load. you could even charge that battery at home with a charger and it would provide a certain amount of cooling before it ran down. That would be really simple, then no extra charging ability would be needed.

[Golten951]

Sadly cooling the cabin space would prove very difficult for that form of a cooler since nothing is really air tight. neat idea though. The 145amp alternator supports my system very well actually even with the standard sized 944 battery. That cooler might work on a EV. Thanks for the idea though

[Jfrahm]

Peltier cooling is not realistic for anything more than drinks in a car, and even then they seem kinda iffy. A 944 AC system could cool a 2-3 bedroom house pretty well, auto AC systems are very powerful.

The amount of power the electric compressor uses is similar to a biggish window AC unit and you get a lot of air through the condenser in a car.

-Joel.

[Monkey Wrench]

The theory is very simple but the power consumption of these units is quite high which may make it impractical for now.
Here is a university report about the subject and the conclusion was similar, basically they are still energy inefficient.

https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2165&context=dissertations

I've had the thought in my mind about converting old ice boxes or vintage refrigerators, just because some of them are really attractive particularly in vintage themed houses. It seems you can get large enough ones for realistic prices, they are silent too, the issue is with energy efficiency. I dont think tesla uses them either. I often wonder how ell electric cars do in the cold weather because heating also takes a lot of energy so it stands to reason that cold weather may drastically shorten there range.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Devin, does the unit with your big alternator cool the cabin sufficiently, or does it just take the edge off the heat?

Where you live now has plenty of heat...

[Golten951]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

Devin, does the unit with your big alternator cool the cabin sufficiently, or does it just take the edge off the heat?

Where you live now has plenty of heat...

Hey Spencer. I will let you know once it gets hotter here. right now it is pretty chill only seeing about 55 to 65 degrees.

[Dano944]

I know basically nothing about the 944 I inherited from my late father-in-law, and in the rear under the hatch is a tiny air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Did 944’s come standard with this air compressor to help inflate the mini-spare tire? The reason I ask is because the compressor fits perfectly into a storage well that looks like it was made for the compressor.

[TheSecondChris]

Originally Posted by Dano944

I know basically nothing about the 944 I inherited from my late father-in-law, and in the rear under the hatch is a tiny air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Did 944’s come standard with this air compressor to help inflate the mini-spare tire? The reason I ask is because the compressor fits perfectly into a storage well that looks like it was made for the compressor.

Yes, it was standard to inflate the spare. I thought it fit inside the spare itself and not in the cubby, but may be wrong about that.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Originally Posted by Golten951

Hey Spencer. I will let you know once it gets hotter here. right now it is pretty chill only seeing about 55 to 65 degrees.

Devin - CA desert summer update?

[Golten951]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

Devin - CA desert summer update?

Yes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8fQRqTv7aM Part 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYZbsGKrYgE Part 9

It is a bit warmer today. about 92 degrees

[v2rocket_aka944]

I'll be curious as you are driving the car this summer to see if that keeps it comfortable.
My 944's AC worked well and once upon a time I measured air around 30F coming out of the vents with the stock system.

But since I did my engine swap the compressor had to go...but your thread has got my attention.