My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Build projects, things that guys have come up with to make a Pinz better (or worse?) and aftermarket add-ons.
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boeing7873
Argentina
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:50 am
Location: Atlanta
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My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

I am proud of my two years of playing with the design and installation of an AC in my 710K.
I managed to get a standard "of the shelf" cheap AC kit and install it without drilling a single hole in the trucks body, except for the gearbox access cover in the back floor.

The major challenges...
The pulley. Found a double engine crankshaft pulley in a junkyard and $300 later, a local shop made an adaptor, copying the Pinz original. I did not use the original at all.

The compressor: a lot of literarture on Sanders compressors will tell you that they are either for CW or CCW operation. The one in the kit is a chinese copy of a... SD508? (Not sure now, it has been a while since I did the research).
Since the only space I found easy to install would require a CCW operation, I hope whatever the chinese copied works in the long run. So far, it workd great. I was told that the gears inside are optimized for CW but should last a long time CCW. The compressor pistons and valves will not know the difference with either rotation.

Electrics:
I estimate the load of the compressor clutch, two condensor fans and evaporator fans at about 20A. I am using power from the radio box under the table, rated at 30A.
To make sure I lower the amperage from peak when starting the AC, I connected one of the second fans directly to power and installed a manual switch. This way I can also turn it off at highway speed to save electric juice. One fan and ram air through condenser should be enough.

Directing air to the front cabin:
The evaporator sits under the radio table.
I did have to drill the table to route air hoses to point forward to the driver and passenger. I hated to do that, but a new table is just wood and a layer of formic.

I started the AC a few days ago, and have little experience with pressures on the system, so I am still trying to figure out if the temperatures I am getting are optimum for the size of the components. So far, it cools very well and I predict driving in the summer time will be absolutely a pleasure vs the torture it used to be.

I am also planning on painting the roof light sand color, applying a light tint film to all windows (very light if not trsnsparent) to cut on radiation heat, and working on sound and heat insulation.

Power draw on the engine: so far, no difference in city driving. We'll see what highway driving gives.
I don't care much if I lose any noticeable power. In comfort I can drive much longer at lower speed. Try driving 30 minutes with all windows open at highway speed and kids complaining about heat and noise!

Photos to be attached in following post.

Jerome
Jerome
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boeing7873
Argentina
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

Photos
Attachments
ac8.jpg
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ac17.jpg
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ac13.jpg
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AC4.jpg
AC4.jpg (298.26 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
ac3.jpg
ac3.jpg (294.45 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
Jerome
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boeing7873
Argentina
Posts: 197
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

Photos
Attachments
ac15.jpg
ac15.jpg (375.34 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
ac5.jpg
ac5.jpg (435.93 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
ac10.jpg
ac10.jpg (513.33 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
ac7.jpg
ac7.jpg (439.36 KiB) Viewed 14550 times
Jerome
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boeing7873
Argentina
Posts: 197
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

As soon as I finish the cabin ducting work, I will publish some more pictures.
Jerome
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boeing7873
Argentina
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

One more photo..
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IMG-20190524-WA0027.jpg
IMG-20190524-WA0027.jpg (138.23 KiB) Viewed 14549 times
Jerome
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Mr Zero
United States of America
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Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 1:28 pm
Location: Nevada

Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by Mr Zero »

Wow! :shock:
Jason @battlebornpinzgauer
[1975 Pinzgauer 710K 2.7L EFI, 1972 700AP Haflinger Pathfinder]
one2many
Australia
Posts: 178
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2013 5:53 pm
Location: Melbourne Australia

Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by one2many »

Is that compressor chassis mounted and facing back towards the engine? The compressor mount position looks almost identical to the factory aircon my 712k arrived to Australia with in 1985. If so very consistent belt stretch/screech will be an issue.
1985 pinzgauer 712K factory 2.7lt civilian (RHD, 4 door K)
1979 Volvo tgb 1314a (under construction to om606 diesel/722.6 trans. Dual cab/tray)
boeing7873
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

I would like to understand better your comment about belt tension. What is your experience with it? Do you have photos or any info on the original bracket/installation?
Thank you,
JC
Jerome
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Tjerk
South Africa
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Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 3:48 am

Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by Tjerk »

Jerome

Refrigerant pressure is in direct relation to temperature iow. the high side which is the condenser.
Trinary switches that deactivate the compressor clutch, when the refrigerant pressure is too low or high, and also energize a fan relay are available.
Replace the low pressure switch on your drier with a trinary switch, fit a relay to power the condenser fans and all will be taken care of automatically. Never ever use a manual switch as you are not as vigilant as a pressure switch.

Tjerk
boeing7873
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

Hello Tjerk,
I will share my electric installation diagram so you can check it. I have two fans, I believe one is connected as you describe, the second one is manual and independently powered for slow traffic or very hot days.
But I will check again on possible alternatives.
Thank you,
Jerome
Jerome
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Derrickbwg
United States of America
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Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:09 pm
Location: TN

Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by Derrickbwg »

Awesome work....looks well worth the effort. My K sits all summer down here, I'm green with envy.
1975 710K
1974 710M
2018 G63
Texas710
United States of America
Posts: 247
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:00 pm
Location: San Antonio, TX

Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by Texas710 »

I like how you "hid" the AC unit on the front. I never liked them on top, always a worry you could hit it on something. Looks cool, hopefully it leads to more use and less complaining from the kiddos!
boeing7873
Argentina
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:50 am
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

It has been a great year for my AC installation. Works fantastic, engine power is not a factor at all. (It is underpowered with or without the compressor on! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: )

I cannot think of a better way of installing AC in a 710K. I just need to work on insulation now.

Cheers,
JC with Pinz in Las Vegas these days...
Jerome
CRJ Driver
boeing7873
Argentina
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:50 am
Location: Atlanta
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Re: My awesome 710K air conditioning installation.

Post by boeing7873 »

Since AC installation, Pinz has gone from Atlanta to Denver, Salt Lake, Las Vegas, LAX, Phoenix, Albuquerque and back to Atlanta. AC works like a charm. Does not cool off the cabin per se but makes a significant difference and everybody is happy with a cool jet on them and windows closed.
Can't think of making any improvements to the installation. Love it.
Jerome
CRJ Driver
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