Electric A/C compressor...

[Spyke]

Anyone done it? My a/c is the only thing that doesn't work in my car, and summer is coming up.

Thoughts/input/personal experience?

[ElleShooTiger]

You mean to have an electric motor driving the a/c compressor? Considering that the a/c compressor can use 5-25 hp on its own, having an electric motor powerful enough will be a huge problem.

I know the Prius has an electric a/c compressor so it can keep you cool while the engine turns off, not sure how it all works though.

Whats wrong with your compressor?

[1999 540i m]

Yeah, what's wrong with your a/c?

I just recharged mine with a kit from autozone, very easy did it in the parking lot:D

[Spyke]

I think the magnetic clutch has just died, since charging accomplished nothing. I didn't care enough to fix it last year... Buying used means only a matter of time before it gives out again.

I don't believe the compressor truly robs any power, and looking at rough specs here - it looks like even though they are smaller and lighter (both good things) they sound like they are more efficient as well. They are not dependent on engine speed, and can hold 7500 rpm by themselves.

Link: http://www.globaldensoproducts.com/hvc/electric_compressor.html

[ElleShooTiger]

You should really find out whats wrong with it, may be the clutch, or something else. Also, if the system lost its charge, you MUST evacuate the system prior to charging it. If you dont, then trying to charge it will do absolutely nothing.

ANY accessory driven the by engine consumes *some* horsepower, there's no free lunch. Compressor, water pump, p/s pump, even the alternator costs you hp, even more so when its dealing with a high-current load. If you want to run an electric compressor, you'll have to upgrade your alternator to support the extra amperage needed.

Ebay has a whole bunch of those Prius compressors for sale if you want to try one out. The only problem is that you'll have to make custom lines to bolt up to it, plus it may or may not put out enough pressure to properly cool your car. All-in-all, it would probably be cheaper just to fix it properly. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=prius+compressor&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[90turbo1]

BMW's electric compressor that is used on the hybrid is a AC current unit, very very high tech piece of equipement.

it also requires a DC to AC converter for it.

If you dont believe the ac pump robs horsepower then you are nuts.

when the clutch is not energised and free spins then yeah no power robed. but when they are pumping they can take a huge amount of power to spin.

why dont you figure out whats wrong with it. you are quickly jumping to a bad pump, have you checked if there is a signal going to the pump to turn it on???

also if your outside temp sensor is FUBARed and your cluster shows -40 or something then the AC will not come on, Also if your high pressure sensor is F'ed then it wont come on also.

just a thought.