Colder AC
#22
RE: Colder AC
The "tar tape" is also refered to as "cork tape".
M.G. good job on insulating the suction lines! Don't insulate the liquid lines it won't help, it will actually hinder the system. The liquid lines (the ones smaller in diameter and hot to the touch) are generally around 30Deg.F warmer than the outside air in a good functioning AC system.They need to be not insulated because they are giving up heat to the outside airas they are intended to do.The benefit you got from insulating the suction lines besides the reward of cooler air is compressor life. After the refrigerant leaves the evaporator it still has capacity to take on more heat, it's other job is keeping the compressor's temperature under control, by insulating the suction lines you increased the cooling capacity system wide and now your compressor also runs a little cooler than it used to and should live a longer life as a direct result.Good job. I'm gonna do mine too, after I replace a bad expansion valve for the rear evap.
Another type of tape one might consider is header tape, I'm think'n of wrapping my lines in cork tape first and then in header tape to protect the cork tape.I can't think of any type of tape that can withstand more heat than header tape.
M.G. good job on insulating the suction lines! Don't insulate the liquid lines it won't help, it will actually hinder the system. The liquid lines (the ones smaller in diameter and hot to the touch) are generally around 30Deg.F warmer than the outside air in a good functioning AC system.They need to be not insulated because they are giving up heat to the outside airas they are intended to do.The benefit you got from insulating the suction lines besides the reward of cooler air is compressor life. After the refrigerant leaves the evaporator it still has capacity to take on more heat, it's other job is keeping the compressor's temperature under control, by insulating the suction lines you increased the cooling capacity system wide and now your compressor also runs a little cooler than it used to and should live a longer life as a direct result.Good job. I'm gonna do mine too, after I replace a bad expansion valve for the rear evap.
Another type of tape one might consider is header tape, I'm think'n of wrapping my lines in cork tape first and then in header tape to protect the cork tape.I can't think of any type of tape that can withstand more heat than header tape.
#23
RE: Colder AC
i just wrapped mine in pipe insulation (59 cents for a peice 4 feet long) and tied wrapped it on the cold side ac really cold (did the same on my caravan years ago) my my d freezes you out
and just in case someone asks (no the pipe insulation did or does not melt) ran like this for 2 months, then just for looks I bought some aluminum duct tape $2 and wrapped all the pipe to make it look nice rater than seeing tie wraps
so for $3 canadian I now have to open the window once in a while to warm up, even my wife turns it off all the time causes it is tooo cold and rolls down the window when it is 90 degrees outside LOL!!
and just in case someone asks (no the pipe insulation did or does not melt) ran like this for 2 months, then just for looks I bought some aluminum duct tape $2 and wrapped all the pipe to make it look nice rater than seeing tie wraps
so for $3 canadian I now have to open the window once in a while to warm up, even my wife turns it off all the time causes it is tooo cold and rolls down the window when it is 90 degrees outside LOL!!
#24
RE: Colder AC
I just got done working on the AC..............ALL DAY!!!!!!!
I got the new compressor on and pulled a vacuum and charged it last night.
I wrapped the cold line form the Compressor to the firewall and then also the cold line that goes down and under that merges into the top line. I got about 6"-8" down, and couldn't reach anymore. It's a pain where all those lines are against the firewall. I used some 1/4 inch foam insulation tape that has metal backing. Only $4.50 a roll and went through 1 and a half rolls. Then I went over it with this super high temp foil tape. It literally looks and feels like aluminum foil except it is SUPER sticky on the back. I have never seen anything this sticky before. It held to anything it touches like a champ!!! Nothing is going anywhere.
But then I also made a heater core bypass manifold. That made a big difference in the cabin. No warm air at the feet. Very easy to use, kinda pricey though. I just got done with the cold air lines, so I haven't got to test them out yet. That's tomorrow. Hope it helps mine as well as it did Means!
Now, when I finally get my electric fan, I should be roll'n Frosty Style for sure!!! When I put the fan on I'm going to do a "custom" cold air intake Mean Green Style! I always wondered about the "custom" CAI in your sig....Then I saw the thread yesterday....I love Ghetto mods!!!
I got the new compressor on and pulled a vacuum and charged it last night.
I wrapped the cold line form the Compressor to the firewall and then also the cold line that goes down and under that merges into the top line. I got about 6"-8" down, and couldn't reach anymore. It's a pain where all those lines are against the firewall. I used some 1/4 inch foam insulation tape that has metal backing. Only $4.50 a roll and went through 1 and a half rolls. Then I went over it with this super high temp foil tape. It literally looks and feels like aluminum foil except it is SUPER sticky on the back. I have never seen anything this sticky before. It held to anything it touches like a champ!!! Nothing is going anywhere.
But then I also made a heater core bypass manifold. That made a big difference in the cabin. No warm air at the feet. Very easy to use, kinda pricey though. I just got done with the cold air lines, so I haven't got to test them out yet. That's tomorrow. Hope it helps mine as well as it did Means!
Now, when I finally get my electric fan, I should be roll'n Frosty Style for sure!!! When I put the fan on I'm going to do a "custom" cold air intake Mean Green Style! I always wondered about the "custom" CAI in your sig....Then I saw the thread yesterday....I love Ghetto mods!!!
#25
RE: Colder AC
Yeah I do too, as long as they're cheap (the wife wouldn't have it any other way) and function well I'm all about it. There waws some company on ebay making ramair setups for the newer Rams and I believe the Daks, It is the same concept as mine but it looks refined whereas mine looks ugly. Only $50 too. I wonder if they ever fulfilled their promises to make the same setup for our body style Dak/D's.
#26
RE: Colder AC
Hey Mike, awesome idea on wrapping the a/c lines... I'll have to go take a look at mine here shortly. One thing you definatley should do though is get the thermo-tech insulating tape & wrap your fuel rails. this will keep the rails from getting heat soaked and heating up incoming fuel. I did this on my ram (along with the cooler) and it helped out some with fuel economy (6% better on the hiway).
#28
RE: Colder AC
yes, you need this, or something similar to it...
http://www.thermotec.com/product_detail.php?prd_id=10
http://www.thermotec.com/product_detail.php?prd_id=10
#30
RE: Colder AC
I'm not too sure how that will hold up on the a/c lines... the condensation will kill the adhesive (sp?)... I went to Home Depot & bought a tube of pipe insulation and tie wrapped it on. time will tell as to how it holds up or if it even helps (it's cool here now... delta breeze). it would be nice to keep the a/c working better in the stop& go traffic... and also when it's over 100 out.