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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
Air con experts... How to add a second evaporator & blow
This has been bugging me ever since I sat on the France motorway, in a traffic jam stopped, for over an hour at what must have been at least 45 degrees, with my (black) 110 slowly becoming an oven and the standard puma air conditioning system being totally overwhelmed......

Clearly insulation, covering glass areas with insulation, and adding a larger condenser will all help. I've seen those that have fitted the aftermarket condensers to good (though my perception only slight) effect.

I have also seen very, VERY expensive kits from a few aftermarket providers offering cubby box replacements that are secondary evaporators in a box. Running off, I assume, the same compressor.

I dont want to spend £3000 on an aftermarket add on that won't fit my bespoke cubby box. I'd like to spend £400 plus some pipework and re-gas to add another Evaporator.

I realise 2 things: 1, my condenser is likely inadequate for 2 evaporators, but at least short term this should be improved by 2 large fans instead of the very average one LR decided to fit in the middle. It's possible to easily triple the fan flow rate for about £80-100.

2.... F-gas stuff. Someone has to gas it. But with how much gas? And who could do it accurately?

This is what I want to fit....


Click image to enlarge


Anyone have enough air con knowledge to get me started?



Click image to enlarge
Post #1018469 15th Dec 2023 9:22pm
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sasdiscos



Member Since: 22 Jul 2023
Location: UK
Posts: 151

 
The compressor will be sized to the fitted evap.

There’s not a lot you can do really.

Get the gas charge checked would be the first port of call.

Steve.
Post #1018529 16th Dec 2023 5:21pm
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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
Yeah, I agree totally, only issue is if that's the case, and let's assume it's a carryover air conditioning compressor from the Ford sourced engine, why is it not at least as competent as the Transit system. It should be comparable. But it's far from that.

So there's a gap in assumptions somewhere. Either the compressor is smaller, but seems unlikely that JLR would have sourced their own AC compressor and fitted it to a base engine.... Unless someone knows different, or it should be better.

I'd happily fit another AC compressor if there was space on the FEAD Rolling with laughter

My vehicle was only 18 months old when I was sat on that motorway so I'm confident it was charged ok.

The other query would then logically be..... Why do aftermarket companies do a cubby box system that adds cooling. The kits don't include a compressor or a condenser.....
Post #1018531 16th Dec 2023 5:28pm
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TexasRover



Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1085

France 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White
The whole thing is inadequate for sitting in traffic at 45deg. The whole cooling capacity is limited due to the limit space available in the cabin for the air handler, then you have this massive space which is poorly insulated. You are fighting a massive amount of energy entering the cabin.

Insulation helps but you need a grounds up approach which you only get with an entirely new vehicle.

You have to appreciate the defender for what it is.
Post #1018561 17th Dec 2023 5:50am
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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
Yep. Agree. Just working through it one problem at a time as a hobby. All good fun. Just need to avoid my kids getting heatstroke..

Anyone have the numbers and specs for the original system?

Does anyone who's fitted a replacement condenser have the specifications for it?

What parts are included with the aftermarket secondary evaporators kits?
Post #1018572 17th Dec 2023 11:01am
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2244

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
Could you not use a second or bigger single electric Air con compressor from an electric car ?
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #1018578 17th Dec 2023 1:33pm
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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
I was looking at those box units you can buy for camper vans, coming in at about £1500. The only issue is they are 240v, no issue as I have a 2kw inverter, however that means it's pulling 60-70a out of the alternator when it's running assuming some sensible losses. Unless anyone has run one and has any current info? That is actually an ideal solution as you could then plug it in in a camp site and air condition your roof tent through an external vent...

But cost is quite high. And they're huge. Would take up a lot of package space in the rear of the vehicle and require some holes drilling in the floor to get the condenser fed properly with air. Not sure how well it would cope with dust.

An electric car compressor runs on 48v as a minimum, I think most are HV voltage so can't run them.
Post #1018603 17th Dec 2023 6:16pm
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NormanD



Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: Bristol
Posts: 286

England 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Santorini Black
Have you thought about Roof Mounted Air Conditioning units similar to this : - https://www.amazon.co.uk/USEBEM-Conditione...S&th=1 NormanD WE191

2015 110 XS Utility
2014 VW Caravelle 180 Executive
Post #1018610 17th Dec 2023 7:59pm
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NoLimits



Member Since: 29 Dec 2022
Location: Somerset
Posts: 58

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Havana
Post #1018614 17th Dec 2023 8:50pm
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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
That's interesting. Didn't know they did 12v ones. And 12v seems to run at 40a apparently... Which you could probably shout off a 150a alternator without it turning into a fireball.

Trouble is the big hole in the roof.....

Think I'd still like to split the system and run 2 evaporators off the original or an updated compressor
Post #1018616 17th Dec 2023 8:57pm
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Matt110



Member Since: 29 Jun 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 685

United Kingdom 
NoLimits wrote:
Have you looked at these?

https://restomodair.com/shopproducts/banta...ng-system/


Interesting. That's effectively the same (ish) basic principal as that eBay one I found except they might actually know how to integrate it with the existing system. I'll send them a message, thanks. That's also incredibly compact so it would fit on top of the rear wheel arch or maybe under the rear seats.

Thumbs Up
Post #1018619 17th Dec 2023 9:04pm
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Screbble



Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2107

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
I don’t want/need additional ac but think this product is excellent. I didn’t know it existed so thanks for sharing.

Good luck in your quest Matt 👍
Post #1018637 18th Dec 2023 7:26am
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 625

Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
Discovery 2 used second cooling unit in the rear of car. Look into service manual for details. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #1018691 18th Dec 2023 6:57pm
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