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Topic: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.  (Read 1266 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #20 –
I know this thread has kind of ran off the track but this is the best place for this info.(untill we can get the hose crimping info split off) as several have PMd me about replacement ends now that we are talking about the crimper.

These ends are referred to as Beadlock A/C fittings. If you need replacement ends they make complete ends and just the ferrule. What you need will depend on the hose. Older coaches will have fittings that are reusable and you can use the ferrule (I prefer to change out the complete fitting and don't forget the "O" rings for 134 are special material). These fittings are made in like 4 major standard sizes generally speaking you will need either #6 & #8 or #8 & #10. I don't recall a #12 on any coach that I have tinkered on but there is always the exception to the rule. These fittings come in all configurations from straight, 45*,90s and with ports for high and low pressure places to hook gauges and sensors. I most likely have just scratched the surface and left something out but hope this helps those out that have ask.

Mike

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #21 –
Reading this thread, and preparing my response has demonstrated once again that I work far longer than I should, in that I have the ATCO catalog but not the web site from which to purchase.  That being said;

https://products.atcoproductsinc.com/category/beadlock-fittings

Harbor Freight has an electronic Freon leak detector for $60.

I'm installing a 1962 R-12 air conditioning system in my Studebaker.*  Currently I'm sorting out the electric system, a job I've put off for far too long, but the monitor style evaporator takes up too much space under the dash for easy access to the wiring.  So, sooner rather than later.

Yes I could have bought everything new but over breakfast while reading my e-mails I spoke the quiet part out loud, and once the cat's out of the bag, there's no stuffing it back in.  I have a history.

Out of everything I've sourced, the one state of the art item will be the hoses and fittings.  The Bead Lock fittings aren't a guarantee of no leaks, but if I do everything correctly and make a good Bubble Crimp with the appropriate tool, well, I'll be happy if I only need to replace one fitting.  None would make me ecstatic.

Over the past 50 years, I've tried all of the "repair" techniques and I'm just too old to screw around with half-assed methods.  So I'm going to purchase the correct crimping tool to use just once.  If I had a local shop that cold make the hoses for me, I'd use them.  So far this year the local industry had manufactured, Vidalia Onions, Watermelons, and we're waiting on the feed corn.

Art

*I said to myself, out loud as it turn out "12 to 14 weeks for a catalog item?"  And Lynn's question made it clear that I had spoken out loud.  The last time around, sometime in the early 1990s, Lynn heard me say into the telephone "Yes, I can send you another $300."  And I heard "Another $300 dollars?"  Yeah that was a long day.

Truth to be told, I'm happier with an AC system that looks like it came from the factory.

Art

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #22 –
Theres a lot of failure points in the OE system.  When new , it worked well enough and made it out of warranty.    As time goes on all of the bits  get corroded and heat cycled and will eventually leak .  If you can get a good tech that doesnt mind crawling around , chasing leaks ,  Youre very lucky.    I am not good enough to pay myself for a recurring problem  . It is a looser for a shop to fix the OE system without a complete rebuild.  IMHO.  I would never take one in , even tho I know how to fix it for today , but  knowing that I would see it again.  I would have to eat the next repair . 

    I went the simple route.  Minisplit over the door along with additional alternator and solar to drive it.  I May have spent more cash  but it works well and I'm not gong back. 
        Stock and OE has it's place and if the system is sound and passes the vacc test, it may work for a year or two at a time .  When I was a tech at a Puegoet  dealer, we pressurised the system and sprayed it down with soap .  Much better than vac test. 

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #23 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Theres a lot of failure points in the OE system.  When new , it worked well enough and made it out of warranty.    As time goes on all of the bits  get corroded and heat cycled and will eventually leak .    When I was a tech at a Puegoet  dealer, we pressurised the system and sprayed it down with soap .  Much better than vac test. 

Originally I wanted all new, but once over-ruled I took apart the Mk IV evaporator to see if I could repair the damage I had done during removal.  I found an all copper tubing evaporator so a 60 year old unit is not a problem.  The condenser died in the collision, so new was a given.  $80 eBay.  Either way for a 30 year old automotive system a new condenser and evaporator plus all new barrier material hoses with bubble crimped bead lock ends are the way to go.  And that's the whole system.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #24 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
What I'm wondering is if i can simply cut those AC hoses and run a wire down the middle of them.
In answer to your original question, if you should decide to run a new wire and add a new system, what matters is how large are the hoses and the wires you would run. If the inside diameter of the hose is large enough to accommodate the wire (with room to spare), the only way to find out if you could run the wire is to try to push a fish tape through. If you can get the fish tape through and the hose is large enough, you can pull the wire back through. A lot would probably depend on how soft the hose is. If it is soft material the fish tape will more likely get caught, especially in any bends.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #25 –
Another option if you decide to use the battery powered AC is to run it off the house batteries if they are near the front of the coach, eliminating the need for the long cable run. You might want to then add a battery to battery charger or battery isolation manager to ensure adequate charging of the house batteries from the alternator.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #26 –
Quote from: dbennett9 –
Another option if you decide to use the battery powered AC is to run it off the house batteries if they are near the front of the coach, eliminating the need for the long cable run. You might want to then add a battery to battery charger or battery isolation manager to ensure adequate charging of the house batteries from the alternator.



  That would be part of the other option, which I will probably do regardless.   
  I need to get the soft start system on the LR AC at least if not both.  When that's complete I'll need to switch the 110 feed to the inverter side of supply. 
  We do have 700+ amp hrs of lithium so that should work for a while, especially if the suns out ( 1200 watts of solar) and possibly switch out the dash AC compressor for an additional alternator.      Not really what I want long term for cooling while going down the road though.


  One thing for sure though, LOTS of technology for battery charging , battery storage and efficiency is changing fast.  So whatever I do will probably feel obsolete in 5 years.....  dang it.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #27 –
If you need a lot of power up front you could feed off the generator cable as long as you
don't want to start the generator while you are taking a large load off the cable.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #28 –
Where are you running a wire from & to?  Is the wire to power Cruise N Comfort?  What model and where will it be installed?

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #29 –
Likely the feed would come from the engine batteries since the object is to provide AC while goin down the road and I have 2550 (3-850 amp batteries) CC amps for the engine.
The Grand Villa has plenty of space up front for the Cruise N Comfort equipment.  I would just need to get some of that power from behind the rear tires to the nose of the coach. 
  Not sure of the model yet , they only provide a couple of choices and I believe either would fit.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #30 –
Quote from: oldguy –
If you need a lot of power up front you could feed off the generator cable as long as you
don't want to start the generator while you are taking a large load off the cable.

Pete.
  So your thinking the starting feed for the geny would be enough amperage.    Sorry, electricity and I are not compatible.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #31 –
For those of you with a similar model (01 U320), how do you get to the evaporator? Is it behind the panel with the vents on the passenger side? I'm also looking for the fan speed resistor if there's such a thing.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #32 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
1.For those of you with a similar model (01 U320), how do you get to the evaporator?
2.Is it behind the panel with the vents on the passenger side?
3. I'm also looking for the fan speed resistor if there's such a thing.

1. On an 01 you will end up taking most of the dash apart
2. It is hid more in the center section. The hoses and expansion valve are more behind the breaker access panel. You will find it (evaporator) incorporated with the A/H radiator assembly.
3. Not sure on an 01

Mike

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
1. On an 01 you will end up taking most of the dash apart
2. It is hid more in the center section. The hoses and expansion valve are more behind the breaker access panel. You will find it (evaporator) incorporated with the A/H radiator assembly.
3. Not sure on an 01

Mike

Thanks Mike, doesn't sound easy to access. I am also wanting to replace the fan or fans in there for the AC and AH, they are making all sorts of noises.

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #34 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
doesn't sound easy to access.

The hardest part is getting started other than that it is just a bunch of screws.  You may want to take pics. along the way as you remove covers, shields, and brackets so you won't have some parts left over when you put it back together.

Mike
 

Re: Should I / could I do this. Bootlegging AC lines.

Reply #36 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
Likely the feed would come from the engine batteries since the object is to provide AC while goin down the road and I have 2550 (3-850 amp batteries) CC amps for the engine.
The Grand Villa has plenty of space up front for the Cruise N Comfort equipment.  I would just need to get some of that power from behind the rear tires to the nose of the coach. 
  Not sure of the model yet , they only provide a couple of choices and I believe either would fit.
If you connect to the house batteries and charge them from the alternator, you may not have to run cable from the engine batteries. If your coach currently has a battery isolator, you can use the existing cables to hook up a battery to battery charger or a battery isolation manager. Also, hooking up to the house batteries would allow you to use your solar to power the AC while driving. You might not even need to draw from the alternator.