AC option

[Peter]

As the cabin is so small it doesn't need such a big compressor, so what is the smallest compressor out there. Of course here on the Eastern side of the pond we have a much larger selection of small cars to choose from like the FIAT 500, Mini, and the small 'hot hatches'. So, smallest compressor award goes to?......

 

[thestevie]

my money is on the smart fortwo

 

[Brett Proctor]

My search has never stopped trying to find the perfect AC/Heater for this car.

I've looked at Fiats 500 and the Mini Cooper and both are to big for our car.

Today though I stumbled on something that might be perfect.

Its a basic unit but it contains both functions of heating and cooling and its very compact.

Its located in the center console of a Mercedes 600 SEL

Yes its in the center console. Forgot to get measurements but it can't be any wider than around 5" and maybe 7" long.

I attempted to remove it but after an hour and I still hadn't been able to locate all the mounting brackets to the console I gave up.
I may go back and try again

These are pictures I got off the web

 

[sector]

Nice find. Looks very promising.

 

[ratrog64]

I haven't been to a pick and pull in a while but I don't recall ever seeing any Mercedes.

Looks like a pretty compact unit. What type of heat does it have?

 

[Brett Proctor]

What type of heat does it have?

Hot *laugh**hee-hee-hee**na-na-na**yipes*

Uses the coolant from the engines cooling system

Wont have the grand kids till noon tomorrow so I think I may go back and get it.

It isn't that wide so I'm thinking that if its installed on the center tunnel under the dash it will clear the pedal assembly with no problems.

The heat already exits out the bottom of the unit and with an adapter the cooling part can be run to the dash vents.

We'll see what happens

 

[vpogv]

Hot *laugh**hee-hee-hee**na-na-na**yipes*

*laugh**laugh**laugh*

 

[ratrog64]

I forgot you had a Subaru motor! If its that narrow, up front will be perfect. *thumbs up*

Hot heat is always the best type!

 

[Brett Proctor]

I forgot you had a Subaru motor! If its that narrow, up front will be perfect. *thumbs up*

Hot heat is always the best type!

I meant no harm. Just joking around. It seemed like a good opportunity.

I'm planning to go back today and pull it. Just wish they had one in a newer car but at least this will give me an idea of its size and possibilities.

Can't believe no one has ever found one of these till now. They've been around since the 90's or longer

This just might be a bolt on item. Naw I couldn't be that lucky

 

[letterman7]

I think it's a neat find. They weren't found simply because nobody was looking specifically for an alternative... or didn't realize that M-B has rear a/c options. I certainly didn't. I think the only hiccup is going to be finding the specific-to-Mercedes pressure hose connections for that triangular hookup. I reckon you could take the hose connections from the car along with a couple feet of hose and simply have a shop put new connections on the cut end...

 

[Peter]

I think it's a neat find. They weren't found simply because nobody was looking specifically for an alternative... or didn't realize that M-B has rear a/c options. I certainly didn't. I think the only hiccup is going to be finding the specific-to-Mercedes pressure hose connections for that triangular hookup. I reckon you could take the hose connections from the car along with a couple feet of hose and simply have a shop put new connections on the cut end...

Look at www.anplumbing.com

 

[Brett Proctor]

Thought I covered this but maybe not

I think the only hiccup is going to be finding the specific-to-Mercedes pressure hose connections for that triangular hookup.

The triangular hookup is for the heater core.
The heater core has a left and a right side to it. One line is the main feed into the heater core and then you have the left and right exit lines which are controlled by the duovalve. This is how they get the dual climate control function. If you wanted to omit this just connect the two exit lines together and then install a single valve to control of the flow of coolant through the heater core and if you have a air cooled car just remove the heater core all together and seal the openings in the casing and use just the AC part of the unit and then use the VW heater for heat

The AC connections are standard high and low side connections.

They weren't found simply because nobody was looking specifically for an alternative

Alternative to what??*laugh**laugh* In the years I've been on this forum nobody could give you a straight answer of what will work in our cars*hmmm**yipes*

or didn't realize that M-B has rear a/c options

Interesting that Mercedes has been using these for over 25 years and nobody has found them till now.*laugh**laugh**hmmm**hmmm**nothing to see**nothing to see*
Well it took me around 4 years to find it*laugh**laugh* and I wasn't even looking for it*nothing to see*

I meant no harm in any of my comments, so please don't take them that way.
Just trying to help and share what I've found

And of course if I have something wrong please post your comments and set me straight.

 

[ratrog64]

Should work out great especially for you water cooled guys!

I'm anxious to hear how it works.

 

[letterman7]

No worries Brett. I'm not even remotely familiar with what is out there for HVAC units in import cars. And that's probably the point I was heading towards. Back in the 70's when the cars were made, there were no options for a/c other than aftermarket underdash units. Even into the 80's, a/c handlers were big bulky things that couldn't be adapted for Volkswagen use, nevermind a kit car. That's why companies like I.C.E. sprung up for the VW market, but they were still using underdash handlers. Get into the 90's and 2K years, the technology has begun to catch up with smaller, lighter HVAC units like what you found. It simply never occurred to me to look at cars that had rear a/c units installed... the only ones I've seen are in the Chevy Suburbans and EMS vehicles that use the same chassis - and those a/c units are not small! You're fortunate to have junkyards to peruse at will... we can't do that here.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Thanks Rick.I was worried that my comments may have came across to harsh.

I think this has taken the AC thing to the next level of units that fit with the least amount of hassle.

To bad your research on the heater part of the system didn't progress any further. It could have been the solution for the heater part for the air cooled guys.
Although I haven't hooked it up to power yet the duovalve is suppose to have a circulation pump and looking at the picture you can see it. That could of been used to pump the coolant through the system maybe

I've received a few emails from a couple of members that went out and got one of these units and confirming that this unit will fit under the dash.
There are two styles that I'm aware of. Units out of cars from 92-99 and units from 00-06. Haven't seen anything that is used after 06.


Well I guess all the time and money I spent on the rear AC/Heater unit that I got out of a Dodge Durango is history.

 

[letterman7]

You could always re-sell the Durango unit on eBay. As for air-cooled heat.. yeah, I wish I could have taken it further. I still think it's a very viable way to have heat if you're willing to do some experimenting with an exhaust system.

 

[Brett Proctor]

You could always re-sell the Durango unit on eBay. As for air-cooled heat.. yeah, I wish I could have taken it further. I still think it's a very viable way to have heat if you're willing to do some experimenting with an exhaust system.

I'm not an ebay person. Its ok for buying something I guess but if your selling, they screw you over with all the extra fees they charge.
Ebay wants a chunk out of your sale and then paypal(which is a part of ebay)wants another chunk.

No thanks, It will end up in the trash I guess.

I suppose I might put it on craigs list first just to see if I can make anything from it

Just look at it as I took a bullet for the team.


One thing I keep forgetting to mention.
The dimensions are different between the two units(92-99, 00-06).
The early style is about 2" longer but not as tall as the other style.

And I could be off on the years and there could be changes between the years.

Bottom line is I have a unit out of a 1992 600 SEL and I know it fits in what I have.

 

[letterman7]

Don't trash it. If it won't go on CL, PM me and we'll work something out. I might be able to work that into my rebuild of a vintage motorhome *thumbs up*

 

[Brett Proctor]

Don't trash it. If it won't go on CL, PM me and we'll work something out. I might be able to work that into my rebuild of a vintage motorhome *thumbs up*

I'll let you know how it goes.

I may not even waste my time by putting it on craigs list.

Still need to pull it out of the car and I have the controls for it along with the wiring harness and wiring diagrams plus a few extra parts.

 

[letterman7]

Brett, I had a guy ask me on Samba - did you happen to notice if that rear unit is powered from the main a/c compressor or is there a secondary on the engine?