Research request, HVAC
12-15-2009 | 09:49 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 25,152
Likes: 87
Research request, HVAC
I need to totally change the inputs and outputs of my HVAC system. For various reasons. My reasons are my own, but I will share them with you lot just to flesh out my plan.
1) No HVAC control panel that looks like it came out of a 1987 Golf is going to stay in this car. I have changed/updated/coated/reworked/purchased new basically every single part of this car. I still have 1000s of dollars due on this bill I call the "78 Project", but damn if I am going to start cheaping out just to get things done quicker. So I need to control fan speed and the dash box motors in some other way. Any ideas?
2) I need to relocate the condensor and the dryer into the front passenger fender. There is a monstrous Air-to-Air inter cooler going there but I cannot/will not lose my AC in SoCal.
I have searched probaby for a dozen hours total on Ebay and all over the net to find a suitable sized condenser. Does anyone know of a very small one? Please - update me.
Thanks
1) No HVAC control panel that looks like it came out of a 1987 Golf is going to stay in this car. I have changed/updated/coated/reworked/purchased new basically every single part of this car. I still have 1000s of dollars due on this bill I call the "78 Project", but damn if I am going to start cheaping out just to get things done quicker. So I need to control fan speed and the dash box motors in some other way. Any ideas?
2) I need to relocate the condensor and the dryer into the front passenger fender. There is a monstrous Air-to-Air inter cooler going there but I cannot/will not lose my AC in SoCal.
I have searched probaby for a dozen hours total on Ebay and all over the net to find a suitable sized condenser. Does anyone know of a very small one? Please - update me.
Thanks
12-15-2009 | 10:44 PM
#4
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Sonoma, CA
You might check with some street rod builders. No room in those cars.
I used to rep. Vintage Air a few years back. They had a number of small condensors.
You might be able to get a custom radiator mfg. to make one for a reasonable amount. Griffin radiators used to do a bunch of custom work.
I used to rep. Vintage Air a few years back. They had a number of small condensors.
You might be able to get a custom radiator mfg. to make one for a reasonable amount. Griffin radiators used to do a bunch of custom work.
12-15-2009 | 10:46 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 25,152
Likes: 87
Vintage air - I did not look at them recently. They seem like they have more stuff now:
http://www.vintageair.com/catalog.asp
http://www.vintageair.com/catalog.asp
12-15-2009 | 10:48 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 25,152
Likes: 87
Trending Topics
12-15-2009 | 10:53 PM
#8
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 75
From: Stockton, CA
Brendan
What if you were to make the control panel "remote".....or mount it somewhere you can see it...with the controls (inputs) wired to something modern looking, or maybe even integrated into a touch screen control..maybe like Louies computer system that monitors everything in his monster?
What if you were to make the control panel "remote".....or mount it somewhere you can see it...with the controls (inputs) wired to something modern looking, or maybe even integrated into a touch screen control..maybe like Louies computer system that monitors everything in his monster?
12-15-2009 | 11:06 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 25,152
Likes: 87
Brendan
What if you were to make the control panel "remote".....or mount it somewhere you can see it...with the controls (inputs) wired to something modern looking, or maybe even integrated into a touch screen control..maybe like Louies computer system that monitors everything in his monster?
What if you were to make the control panel "remote".....or mount it somewhere you can see it...with the controls (inputs) wired to something modern looking, or maybe even integrated into a touch screen control..maybe like Louies computer system that monitors everything in his monster?
It looks like everything I want is basically possible. Except the AC stuff. I may have to go between both fenders for more condensor real estate. I was hoping one fender would do and the other for a largish oil cooler. Leaving the middle for the A/A and of course the radiator.
12-15-2009 | 11:13 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 323
From: Friday Harbor, WA
No, but it is a simple matter of programming (SMOP). 
Oh, and a few more inputs and outputs, and some relay-drivers and a motor-controller, but that's all available.
Condensers throw off a lot of heat, if you go smaller then plan on a serious fan.
Oh, and a few more inputs and outputs, and some relay-drivers and a motor-controller, but that's all available.
Condensers throw off a lot of heat, if you go smaller then plan on a serious fan.
12-15-2009 | 11:24 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 323
From: Friday Harbor, WA
Brendan,
More reading: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-mfd-idea.html
Skim the first twenty pages and then pick it up again at post #312, which is Hans' holy-thread-resurrection and ideas for a car computer. His basic premise is that if we can agree on a hardware and software platform then together we can do this, there are enough hardware and software geeks around to make it work.
More reading: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-mfd-idea.html
Skim the first twenty pages and then pick it up again at post #312, which is Hans' holy-thread-resurrection and ideas for a car computer. His basic premise is that if we can agree on a hardware and software platform then together we can do this, there are enough hardware and software geeks around to make it work.
12-16-2009 | 12:22 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall, TX
Have you looked at these?
http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?S..._Code=Parallel
Don't know anything about them, but they look interesting...
As for item 1, there is a lot you can do there.
The actual control logic for most of the HVAC functionality is built into the HVAC controller, with the PC board on the panel containing mostly the high current side, solenoid protection diodes, ac relay, etc.
So you have plenty of options if you want to fabricate a more modern control panel.
The approach I took was to make a cam switch to replace the vent slider and move the temp pot to the front (had to add a cam for max heat and max cool sensing). I kept the blower control **** as is, but I may switch it for a PWM control eventually. Total cost was probably around $30.00.
HTH,
-don
http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?S..._Code=Parallel
Don't know anything about them, but they look interesting...
As for item 1, there is a lot you can do there.
The actual control logic for most of the HVAC functionality is built into the HVAC controller, with the PC board on the panel containing mostly the high current side, solenoid protection diodes, ac relay, etc.
So you have plenty of options if you want to fabricate a more modern control panel.
The approach I took was to make a cam switch to replace the vent slider and move the temp pot to the front (had to add a cam for max heat and max cool sensing). I kept the blower control **** as is, but I may switch it for a PWM control eventually. Total cost was probably around $30.00.
HTH,
-don
12-16-2009 | 12:48 AM
#15
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Have you looked at these?
http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?S..._Code=Parallel
Don't know anything about them, but they look interesting...
As for item 1, there is a lot you can do there.
The actual control logic for most of the HVAC functionality is built into the HVAC controller, with the PC board on the panel containing mostly the high current side, solenoid protection diodes, ac relay, etc.
So you have plenty of options if you want to fabricate a more modern control panel.
The approach I took was to make a cam switch to replace the vent slider and move the temp pot to the front (had to add a cam for max heat and max cool sensing). I kept the blower control **** as is, but I may switch it for a PWM control eventually. Total cost was probably around $30.00.
HTH,
-don
http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?S..._Code=Parallel
Don't know anything about them, but they look interesting...
As for item 1, there is a lot you can do there.
The actual control logic for most of the HVAC functionality is built into the HVAC controller, with the PC board on the panel containing mostly the high current side, solenoid protection diodes, ac relay, etc.
So you have plenty of options if you want to fabricate a more modern control panel.
The approach I took was to make a cam switch to replace the vent slider and move the temp pot to the front (had to add a cam for max heat and max cool sensing). I kept the blower control **** as is, but I may switch it for a PWM control eventually. Total cost was probably around $30.00.
HTH,
-don
Care to expand on the second part, item 1?