One of the last things to do on my IM is bring the AC back to life. I would LOVE to use an electric AC compressor .I have the engine looking pretty nice - replicated a 59 engine... so would hate to add the belt etc... I know of one company that makes the compressor. Cost $1200 (Ouch!) and I have not heard or read any positive info on it.
https://www.seanhylandmotorspo...ne-is-right-for-you/
Anyone have any luck pursuing an electric AC compressor for use on our little engines?
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Your alternator (assume its not a generator) will need about 50 amps output more than what you probably have. Is a condenser and evaporator already fitted?
Never heard any real positives on electric compressors.
Yup. The entire system is in my 2003 Intermeccanica.
2 condenser system... Probably just go without. I only drive the thing when the weather is nice anyway... I guess I am just dreaming the impossible dream.
You could probably get one from a salvage yard for a Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt. You would have to do some homework on their respective voltage and current needs to make it work. I just read that the Prius A/C compressor runs at variable speed/voltage determined by a computer and max voltage is 200 volts (!!)
I assume that is from an inverter but I really know zero about it. It would not seem to be a trivial conversion, at best.
Nothing is impossible, simply difficult.
What I have casually read is the voltage is super high for those - since the cars are already brimming with electricity, not a problem . But the conversion over sounds impossible.
MotoCarlo posted:One of the last things to do on my IM is bring the AC back to life. I would LOVE to use an electric AC compressor .I have the engine looking pretty nice - replicated a 59 engine... so would hate to add the belt etc... I know of one company that makes the compressor. Cost $1200 (Ouch!) and I have not heard or read any positive info on it.
https://www.seanhylandmotorspo...ne-is-right-for-you/
Anyone have any luck pursuing an electric AC compressor for use on our little engines?
CHECK OUT: these guys are pretty nifty
HOLY ICEBERG! £1750 is $2,566 USD PLUS Value Added Tax (VAT)
What Gordon said...yow wee!
Gordon Nichols posted:HOLY ICEBERG! £1750 is $2,566 USD PLUS Value Added Tax (VAT)
PRICEY...yes...I did some correspondence with them as my IM6 does NOT have A/C. They are doing a 356 in Australia along with mainstream 911 stuff and reportedly have had good results. The nice thing is the electricity doesn't drag down performance but you NEED the big ALTERNATOR rig to pull off. Not so sure about the cost/benefit ratio
so the $$$ are a big issue for yes/no pursuit.
It could be done on any car but you need some compressor and it will suck some hp especially in a low hp type one.. 
Maybe you could go the "Swamp Cooler" route instead? Just add water and hit the switch. Vintage ones from Thermador are running $400-$500-ish. Give you that Vintage Speedster look?
Maybe after all this, Moto, it might be cheapest to just put the original compressor back in....
Actually moto I am surprised you have not modded that original to fit in your front trunk with a small motor
Ray, I had not thought of that. Hummm. Thanks.
Gordon - brilliant. Why not? ;-)
Follow up - According to the hot rod forums (3 that I visited) the drain on the alternator to drive the motor to drive the ac compressor would actually put more drain on the engine, than the original direct drive belt. So .. adding an electric motor to drive the ac compressor is gonna be a risk - and it seems will not work well.
In my case, I think I will leave it until the day I sell. At which point, I will offer the ac installed if preferred. That way I can leave my cool looking engine as its . At least that is what I am thinking at this moment . (Ask me again in a hour.)
Perhaps time to revisit Gordon's input.
Therr is a modified Davis scoop that IM did essentially a 911 ventimg system defrost/ outside air that could be done to help simply bringair to the feet and windshield that would help a lot if you dont have Vintage air ac
ray
