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Clutchless Air Conditioning Compressor

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I seen on TIS that toyota has developed a variable capacity compressor that does not require a clutch.
I looked at my 2006 RAV4 Limited today and lo and behold
the compressor does not cycle, the condenser (radiator fans) do.
I'm a retired Air Conditioning business owner and think that this is a significant breakthrough. In the 70's GM used a suction throttle valve, Chrysler an Evaporator Pressure Regulator, all of which have gone by the wayside. This compressor should provide higher
cooling capacity when the car is hot and better fuel efficiency when cooler. I've seen variable capacity compressors in office buildings but not in autos.
 
#2 ·
A/C

Well Gun, in the test drives I took in the RAV4 at 87 degrees in two Sport V6s this past week, I was not at all impressed with the cooling. It was obvious the sales guy was trying to make the best impression as he got the trucks and ran them for serveral mintues before we got in and then had us sit there for a few more with the sunroof and windows open before he said "Ok close things up and lets go."

I guess we are trading MPG for cooling these days.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Truth be told, since we don't have regular freon in our airconditioners any more for environmental reasons. A differnent coolant is being used that does not have the high level of cooling ability of freon, so basically all air conditioners suck now, including my Lexus. There just is not a substitute for freon yet that can match its ability to transfer heat. I had a 1986 honda accord that had such cold air blowing out of its vents on a 90 degree day that you could see your breathe, of course that was freon, and it has been banned so those days of super cold air are over. Today we just have to suffer with what we have until they invent a coolant that is as good as freon, and does not kill the ozone layer.
 
#5 ·
you need to read up on hvac lessons 007:)

134 IS freon... Just a different type. If the system is designed for 134 it wil be cold. The coldest ac that I have ever owned is my 01 Silverado. In 100 degree temps I have it on outside air and middle fan speed in about 10 minutes..

my other suv (02) is also cold as heck... As cold as any r12 system that I have ever felt..

007 RAV4 said:
Truth be told, since we don't have regular freon in our airconditioners any more for environmental reasons. A differnent coolant is being used that does not have the high level of cooling ability of freon, so basically all air conditioners suck now, including my Lexus. There just is not a substitute for freon yet that can match its ability to transfer heat. I had a 1986 honda accord that had such cold air blowing out of its vents on a 90 degree day that you could see your breathe, of course that was freon, and it has been banned so those days of super cold air are over. Today we just have to suffer with what we have until they invent a coolant that is as good as freon, and does not kill the ozone layer.
Click to expand...
 
#6 ·
I never looked at ours close up but you are right! Very cool.. This is the first variable capacity compressor on a vehicle that I have seen too! Thanks for the tip !

gunawo said:
I seen on TIS that toyota has developed a variable capacity compressor that does not require a clutch.
I looked at my 2006 RAV4 Limited today and lo and behold
the compressor does not cycle, the condenser (radiator fans) do.
I'm a retired Air Conditioning business owner and think that this is a significant breakthrough. In the 70's GM used a suction throttle valve, Chrysler an Evaporator Pressure Regulator, all of which have gone by the wayside. This compressor should provide higher
cooling capacity when the car is hot and better fuel efficiency when cooler. I've seen variable capacity compressors in office buildings but not in autos.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
R134 does not work well in a system designed for R12, compressor capacities are different, condensers and evaporators are different sizes and metering devices are designed to allow refrigerant flow only for the refrigerant they are designed for.
A R134 system that is one ton (12000BTU) in size will absorb exactly the same amount of heat that a R12 one ton system will.

My 2006 Limited has one of the best a/c units of any cars I have
owned including my two past Acura MDX'a and my current Nissan
Murano. And they all had excellent a/c units.
 
#9 ·
It is funny how everything is relative to the person driving. I'm with SeriousBlack on this. Was driving in 90 to 100 weather and I think it works great. Even after sitting in the sun and getting in the car at 3:30 PM I hit the auto button, put down the windows for 2 minutes, close it up and minutes later it's comfortable. I also love the Auto feature which I know other have issue with.

I also think folks (mostly older) are hung up on freon. I have new air conditioners in the house that cool great, don't use freon and are more efficient energy wise. And it stems from when the first non freon air cond. came out, they sucked. For whatever reason, some folks think the AC companies like hearing their units don't cool so they decided never to improve them since the first non freon models.
 
#10 ·
Re: mixing freon and baloney

Jim are you talking about you Rav? If so its not R12.. Its 134.. Its been 134 in cars since mid 90's


JIMD4 said:
007, my car will freeze you out at 100 degrees, cools down from 85 in a very short time and it uses the latest version...R12 I think the stuff is.
Click to expand...
 
#11 ·
don't kmow

Flying, actually I do not know what I am talking about in detail. All I know is I have a 3.5 year old car (not a RAV4 ..yet!) so I assume it has the latest environmental friendly heat transfer stuff. No idea what the latest #s are. But I do know the car A/C is super duper what ever is used.

Still waitng for a 2007 with those cool Sport wheels..... :shock:
 
#13 ·
Janos wrote:
It is funny how everything is relative to the person driving. I'm with SeriousBlack on this. Was driving in 90 to 100 weather and I think it works great. Even after sitting in the sun and getting in the car at 3:30 PM I hit the auto button, put down the windows for 2 minutes, close it up and minutes later it's comfortable. I also love the Auto feature which I know other have issue with.
Click to expand...
And I'm with both you and SB on this one - I think the AC works just fine, and is capable of getting the cabin nice & frosty in extreme summer heat. The auto dual zone feature is MUST for me & S.O. when she gets those hot flashes......Geez, I gotta freeze in my house all winter, now I don't have to freeze in the RAV all summer with dual temp settings!! 8)

OC
 
#16 ·
Can anyone fill me in on how these new variable compressors work? Got any links?

When the system is cycling to maintain a set cabin temperature (rather than running full bore to cool it down) do you notice any clicks or sounds like from a regular compressor engaging and disengaging?

John Davies
Spokane WA
 
#17 ·
nope no sounds at all. And if you look at the compressor there is no non spinning parts like a clutch normally if the ac was off. In other words the compressor is always 'on' but backs off 'compressing' unless its needed. This should help gas mileage a lot.. The compressor only compresses as much as needed..

so I guess the issue about the ac being ON all the time "recirc" light is on is a non issue too ?? :) cause in the winter the compressor will not compress at all..
 
#20 ·
COOL KOMPRESSOR

A very cool compressor...no pun intended. Now we know why the little RAV4 sucker costs $26k huh?

Flying will look at for a bit and soon he will be telling us he has installed a high lift cam (swash plate) and turned his RAV4 into a Good Humor truck with all the cool!
 
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