HIdden A/c On a 6volt system

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

Being I want to run my car 6 volt. But add A/C and a few other eletric options.

Has anyone run a A/C unit on a 6 volt Big 6 system and hidden the unit in the heater hole under the front seat?

Is it even possible?

If so what did you use and wear do I look for one?

I want to keep it hidden as much as possible and still have the look of an original car.

Thanks in advance.

Edsel

Owner of a 1950 4 door Commander

I'll Tattoo you anytime!

you can find me at

Lucky Linda's Body Art 952-445-3281
18 years in the tattooing biz

[Rerun]

There is the option of finding a '50s vintage system that mounts in the trunk. They were great for cooling the back of the driver's neck!

Look at the new units from Vintage Air. They make some pretty small air/heat/defrost combo units that would tuck up under the dash fairly well. They may offer 6 volt units.

Jim Bradley
Lewistown PA
'78 Avanti II

[jclary]

I have toyed with the same idea. One problem with placing the cooling air under the seat is circulation. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, placing of the duct work low will greatly decrease the efficiency of the system. Another thing to consider is the added burden of placing a condenser in the traditional location in front of your radiator. These cooling systems on our studebakers were pretty efficient for the designed task of cooling the engine. However, they were fairly tightly engineered and the added heat and air flow resistance of a condenser is pushing the envelope. Next is the electrical problem...the 6 volt "generator" system is designed to balance generating current at speed and battery "draw" at idle. The added burden of a compressor clutch and air blower motors during idle in slow traffic could completely deplete the battery in bumper to bumper traffic. I think you could overcome a lot of the problems by using a 6 volt alternator and placing the condenser in a location that could use a 6 volt electrical fan for cooling. However, you will play the devil trying to "Hide" the compressor on the engine and the cooling unit in an area that wouldn't affect its usefulness.
If you are successful, let me know...I would like to copy it!

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[gordr]

I don't think you will ever find a six-volt compressor clutch. IIRC, the Novi trunk-mounted air used on Studebakers had a compressor that ran all the time.

Look up Forum member "railway" and drop him a line. Auto air conditioning is his business.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[jclary]

quote:Originally posted by gordr

I don't think you will ever find a six-volt compressor clutch. IIRC, the Novi trunk-mounted air used on Studebakers had a compressor that ran all the time.

Look up Forum member "railway" and drop him a line. Auto air conditioning is his business.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

Just a little musing here Gord...wonder if it could be possible to run a compressor with a flat pulley off the back of a V belt similar to an idler tension pulley? It could be "Clutched" in and out with a cable operated spring loaded trip lever like often seen with mower decks. Most of these ideas are much easier to "think-up" than to implement. Even if you work out the "mechanics"...space is usually a big problem.

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[gordr]

John, I think the drawback to that is that the A/C compressor absorbs several horsepower, and you likely couldn't get enough traction off the back of the belt as you propose. You'd need more wrappage around the pulley.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[chamberlainbandad]

when you dont run the compressor and that belt is loose and flopping around at 60 miles an hour down the highway it might not turn out to pretty and running it off the drive shaft will not work well either

ap

[sweetolbob]

I guess I'm just in my simple minded form today, but if all you need is 12v to operate the compressor clutch. Put a 12v deep draw battery in the trunk and wire it to the compressor and switch.

Charge it by running a 12v alternator off the drive shaft, rear end or tranny. My guess is that the HAMB or RRR will have entries on how to do it. Maybe even off the engine.

Put the 12v where needed and keep the 6v system intact.

Ah heck, I'll sober up later.

Bob

[Edsel G. Tattooer]

Well I could for the most part get a trailer hitch a trailer with a generator on it and install a window ac unit from my apartment in the trunk. This will solve a few problems. No unsightly compressor under the hood, no air flow problems. and the car would still be fairly intact. Minus the large hole cut in to the side of the trunk to stick the A/c unit through. LOL


So I should look to change my car to 12 volts then look for A/c Units. that is what I am being lead to believe.
I guess that isn't so bad.
Thanks


you can find me at

Lucky Linda's Body Art 952-445-3281
19 years in the tattooing biz

[jclary]

We have a member of our South Carolina chapter who has installed an A/C in his '51 champion. He runs it off an isolated 12v circuit operated off a 12 volt battery in the trunk. He told me the unit usually holds enough charge to make it to most meets and back before the battery is depleted. I am impressed with his system but wonder what the danger would be if the 12V battery were ever to short to the chassis which is carrying the positive ground circuitry of the 6 Volt system operating the rest of the vehicle.

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975