AC System Basics - EricTheCarGuy
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- This is a kind of video response to a question I got from RadicalComedy about servicing her AC system. Keep in mind that this is a very basic overview of the components and operation of the AC system. In future installments I plan to get more in depth about the operation and function of these parts but for now I think 6 minutes of your time is enough.
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ETCG - Авто та транспорт
What a fabulous explanation by using a simple can of dry air to demonstrate the theory of an Air Conditioner, Thank you Eric the Car Guy.
+Henry Gonzalez It goes deeper then that tho, expansion creates a cooling effect. Compression creates heat due to the friction between the molecules moving around (function of ignition in diesel engine), expansion does the opposite. The refrigerant comes from the pump as a hot gas, condensates in the cold condenser then goes as a liquid to the evaporator where it is evaporated back to a gas, the expansion of the evaporation creates the cooling.
Coi
Eric, I just wanted to share with you that today we watched this video in my machine maintenance class in college. If college professors think your videos are good enough to teach a class, I think you're doing something right! Keep up the great work, Eric!
This was a very well explained tutorial. Thank you. Your videos are excellent. You explain things and express yourself better and more coherently than 99% of all the University Professors I’ve had while in college. It’s clear that you’re well educated and very intelligent.
Eric, for a while now,I've been taking automotive technology. I stumbled across your videos one day when trying to understand quite a few different things, and even when I needed to hear it a few times. you've helped me perform my first parasitic draw test, to many other tests and helped me better understand how vehicles work. I very much appreciate that you're doing these videos, and hope you'll continue. I'm currently in auto heating and air and this is exactly what we're currently going over, and aside from leaving out the accumulator as an optional component in place of the receiver/drier, it's spot on. once again, thank you for your awesome videos, they've truely helped a lot.
Thanks for taking time to create such informative video and sharing your knowledge with the world.
The cooling is from the refrigerant changing from a liquid to a gas (phase change) in the evaporator located in the car's cabin. It gets cold in this evaporation process (just like the aerosol can spray). Incoming air is blown over the cold evaporator and it absorbs the heat of this air or the cabin air when on recirculate mode. Being a closed system, unlike the aerosol can, the compressor compresses the refrigerant gas and the opposite happens, it gets hot. It then goes to the condenser in the front of the radiator and it is cooled by the fans or airflow of the moving car. The refrigerant condenses back to a liquid and the cycle is repeated. Refrigerators work the same way.
Why does the Freon have to be recharged?
@@goldwolf0606 Because it tends to leak out
@MrKidd1551 Glad I could help, thanks for the comment.
Sir, your instructions helped my son a lot to save money by doing service by him on his car : 1) A/C , 2) Brake jobs, 3) Oil change , 3) Ignition system service etc, etc , etc. Thank You Mr. ERIC THE CAR GUY. May God Bless you and your Family for the free public educational service given by you.
@shoja30 Sounds like a restriction in the system, I recommend taking it to a professional.
Hey Eric i know this is an old post but here goes. I'm putting together a land rover defender-parts from different vehicles. I purchased the ECU, key fob, speedo, main and chassis wiring loom from a donor car that was not ac equipped. Then I purchased the engine and tranny from another donor car that was ac equipped-comes with the compressor. The engine loom fits the ECU. I think my question is after I figure-out the wiring of the ac will I have to download software into the ECU to run the system?
@SuperDriver101 It depends on the heat load an humidity, the rule of thumb is that it should cool about 25º-30º from ambient temp. I covered that in the AC performance test video.
@5000Engineer I'm glad you like the video and my explanation, I consider myself a 'simple' person that needs a 'simple' explanation to understand things so making these videos seems to come easy to me. Thanks very much for your comment.
The real cooling is done by the evaporation process not the pressure change. The pressure change is allowing the evaporation, but the pressure change alone won't cause much cooling. It the phase change, from liquid to gas, that absorbs heat. The high pressure liquid in that can is allowed to escape through the spray nozzle "expansion valve" into the lower pressure atmosphere where it boils into a gas and that phase changes absorbs heat.
Sometimes you can feel or hear the fluid inside the air can boiling. I had one actually frost up before. Letting the air out of the can lowers the pressure inside the can, which allows the fluid to boil in order to equalize the pressure back to what it was.
Hi , thanks for video
does covering for low pressure pipe after the evaporator to the compressor with thermal insulation material can increase the efficiency of the system
Qusay Al-Nassir I second this question. will insulating either hi or lo pressure pipes help the ac run cooler, by keeping the heat from the engine off the pipes?
Qusay Al-Nassir
Yes, The side that you would want to cover is where you see condensate(moisture) collecting on the low side pipes. I own a 1992 Buick Park Ave and they put what is called an orifice tube in the low side from the condenser. This is what replaced the expansion valve. Covering the high side lines will not help due to the fact that you are only making the compressed refrigerant that is heated up to stay heated all the way to the condenser. Hope this answers your question. Also R152a is a good replacement for r12. Just do your homework when considering the change.
@stikOplus63 I'm happy to help, thanks for the comment.
Always appreciate your advice, Eric. I was thinking about taking on this project, but changed my mind after seeing this video. Thanks.
Let's say I wanted to make an ac system using car parts and a 12v electric motor connected to a solar panel for using inside a van while the engine is not running. All I would have to do is mount the condenser outside on top of the roof (with a fan?), and place the rest of the parts inside?
hed420 and the fan is not enough to make the condenser cool bcuz your condenser is in the roof haahah sunlight create a lot of heat hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahah
hed420 Some hybrid vehicles run their A/C compressor electrically, from their battery pack. One of those compressors could be your answer. The catch is that you can't use normal A/C lubricant. You have to use a special non-conductive lubricant with an electric compressor. There are also ways to charge your car's battery from a solar panel, and the "engine not running mode" of your system could simply run the existing condenser fan.
TL;DR: Your idea's best implementation would be a complete rebuild of your entire A/C system.
+Justin This would never work, it is made to cool a cubic foot highly insulated box like a mini fridge, these junctions are very inefficient as well.
it will be only work so long as ram air was hitting the condensor or if you are constantly moving the vehicle
hed420
you would need several horse power to turn the compressor.
one horse power equals 745 watts. point is, youll never do it. at least not easily. buy a small used rv system and install that. power it with a generator.
good luck
Hi Eric I have a question for you. I have a honda civic 2008, my air stop working so I went to a auto part and got me a can of coolant but when I tried to service the system would take the fluid. so I took to an ac tech and he told me that is a small leak on the compressor and want to charge me 975 bucks to fix or replaemt of the componant I just toth that the price was incene a 180 buck part. i was just woundering if you could give me or opinion on it. I am an aircraft mechanic and I know I can do the work. thank you
+mr42ndstblvd that's illegal, you moron.
+Jose Servin Trump will change that! Lol
Jose Servin
What isn't illegal these days? Besides, you only get in trouble if you get caught.
An illiterate aircraft mechanic...great.
mrfrankcastle083
Worse than an illiterate President?
@YTBYTBTB Glad you liked it, thanks for your comment.
@crudeoilsystems Glad you like it, thanks for the comment.
The only problem with taking it to a professional is that they will charge you $800 to $1500 no matter what is wrong and it may still not work right. The auto repair business, and especially AC repair is one of the biggest consumer scams and rip offs.
Cool Eric, thx !
Whatatay T amen
You have obviously had bad experiences with auto repair shops, but don't label all of us as scam artists.
Give me a break. the auto mechanic who doesn't rip you off is the exception and not the rule. some are just dumb especially when it comes to electronics and computers.
What you can do is to bring it to an AC specialist for them to diagnose what the exact issue is (you DO NOT actually have to actually go ahead with the work they suggest...most wont be offended if you say no thanks and take your car home).
Unless you are concerned that the shop is going to intentionally damage something that isn't damaged when you brought it in (I guess it's possible but that really would take a real ass of a shop), at least you'll know what the issues could be. If you feel that the diagnosis is questionable you can bring it to another shop and see what they say. If the 2nd shop says the same thing then chances are it is what it is.
NOTE: you can usually find coupons for AC diagnostics service for pretty cheap (i just saw a $9.99 ac diagnostics coupon for Firestone).
Once you know what the issue is you can then decide on what to do (with AC's you're kind of stuck unless you live in Alaska or something since you will need it).
If it's something like the compressor motor (expensive) you could mitigate the cost by actually shop around online to find a cheaper compressor motor (you want to make sure that you call them personally and give them all the details of your car..year, make, model, trim, engine, auto/manual, etc. so that it's the right part) and then just have the shop do the labor. Could save you anywhere from a $100-$400 right there. The labor probably will still be hefty but at least it's more reasonable if you can save on the part.
The shop may have an issue with installing a part you brought in but you can ask the shop if they are ok with that. At the end of the day, they will be making money off the labor so I would be surprised if too many shops would not take on the labor only work.
Hey Eric explain why you are showing these A/C video on charging your system, when you are constantly telling us to don't work on it and take it to an A/C professional. So are we just watch the video and then let someone else do the work. They can't be for professional because they wouldn't need them. So do we learn how to do with these videos or do we just forget about them and just take our cars to a mechanic.
Maybe so you have some idea of what the hell you're talking about when you take your car in for repair? Ignorance may be bliss, but it's also expensive. Or liability reasons? Or 700,000 views, so maybe the knowledge, capability, and skill set of his audience varies quite a bit?
Should I keep going?
Your barking up the wrong yet tree I wasn't knocking on the video just some the comments that he made. In one sentence he is telling you you how to do it
And on the other he telling to leave to the professionals.
And I'm saying there is value in knowing how it's done even if you don't do it yourself. If you're going in for surgery, you want to know all you can about the procedure, right? Will you ever do it yourself? Probably not...
Ray Cruz were is the orfice tube on 2005 Buick ."."".?diagram showing it b helpful since it looks it can b anywhere in line
I'm glad you liked it, I hope this helped you. To do AC work accurately and responsibly, you really need one of them there 4 thousand dollar machines. I'm going to post a video on common AC problems in the not too distant future as well as a couple of AC "tip" videos.
ETCG
@jsdhesmith2011 I'm glad you liked the video, thanks for the comment.
I'm in an AC class right now and your method of teaching is very helpful
You rock! I am studying for my liscensing exam and refrigeration of buildings is one part of it. Your analogies and showing parts really helped me understand the components and what they do. Thanks!
Your videos are very insightful. I just started working in parts and I'm needing to understand a lot of the basics. Thanks bro!!!
@lenzposa Thanks for the comment and good luck on your test.
@00Kaporal That does sound like a possible heater core issue which is something you might want to address before the weather gets cold.
@whoyadady Like with most AC problems you have a leak and you need to address that before you can fill the system again. In addition if it's been empty for a while you need to put a receiver dryer on it as well as vacuum down the system before charging.
This video really wasn't meant to cover much beyond basic AC operation,I wanted to keep it sort. I think I will make one or two in the future about some problems associated with AC to cover topics like fan operation. I love your comments Les, it's like your my editor. :D
@spelunkerd At the moment I don't have a recovery machine and as a result I take it to a friends shop for evacuation if I need to. I'm not sure what you would need besides what you described for recovery but I know that recovery machines also have filters in them as well. When working at the dealer we actually reused some of the R134 and I don't recall them ever emptying the tank. With this in mind you might consider the machine to save on the cost of refrigerant.
This explanation was perfectly clear. I have been trying to understand the difference between the condenser and evaporator for a while now. Thanks a lot.
@sn8kecowboy84 It's really just another evaporator set up that is used to cool the rear of the vehicle, they share the same condenser however. The evaporators are like 2 separate units that can operate independently of each other.
@MARCOZR1 It's probably mildew on the evaporator. They make products to spray into the vents to help with this, they work for the most part but if you have a persistent problem you would need to remove the evaporator and clean it with soap and water as well as clean the inside of the HVAC system.
First of all I want to say thank you for being here for us. A months ago I had a new condenser installed in my 1997 lexus lx450 . The mechanic used the die colored refrigerant . When I got home I took a look under the truck and I could see some green die liquid dripping from the bottom of the receiver dryer .I wiped it up and could tell it was coming from the top . He said wait till it stopped getting cold in side the truck and bring it back. I took about 1 month for the refrig to leak out .
@409cuin Thank you, glad you liked it.
Your knowledge has become such a great help. You're the Man.
@airmoth Without looking at the pressures I have no idea, in order for it to cool effectively it will need to have the proper pressures and if they are not correct the cause must be found and fixed, you would then recheck your vent temps.
I found myself coming back to this video after 10 years. I am now in HVAC school partly because of this video.
You make good videos.....you get to the point and don't bore the viewers in the process with unnecessary chatter - good work! Thank you...
@punce777 It could be the recirculate door is not closing properly and allowing outside air to enter the cabin, there could also be an air leak elsewhere but if you don't hear wind noise I would not think that to be likely.
Simple explanation, and one of the best videos regarding the auto AC system..
@greenlight2600 It is the blower fan just blowing air around without AC this is the way the system operates, it's either fresh air or air warmed by the heater core.
excellent video once again. I like your analogy of the expansion valve being compared to a spray can.
Wow! Thanks Eric! There are so many videos about AC system. But, this is so easy to understand and well detailed! Thanks!
@ENRIQUEGOITIA Use it well. Thanks for the comment.
Many thanks Eric. Very informative & helpful - particularly good for laymen such as myself. Excellent.
@MARCOZR1 Not a clue, in fact I honestly don't understand the question since AC can only flow in one direction. When you say 'actuator' are you referring to the AC compressor clutch? If so it could be a low charge or a problem with the clutch itself. I don't recommend AC work for the DIY as it involves more than most people think.
Very good. The spray example makes it very intuitive!!
This response may prompt me to do another video on AC performance testing, in fact I could probably do an entire series on AC stuff. In this case the "special tool" runs about $4000.
@Zpe3ddyGonzalexx In principal it is simple but there are many things that come into play during it's operation, any one of those things could cause the system not to work properly. It could be mechanical, pressure, electronic, or pressure related not to mention that some HVAC problems are inside the dash and it's controls. You also have to take into account the specialized equipment needed to service AC systems properly.
Awesome video. This is the kind of information worth the time we spend on You Tube. Thanks.
@eltigre2169 Sounds like you might have a leaking heater core. See if your coolant is low and check to see if the passenger carpet is wet, if it is a leaking heater core is a good possibility. Since we are getting into the warmer months you might be able to bypass it by routing the inlet and outlet hoses together at the firewall until you can get it fixed.
@jiujitsukiller9 I'm very happy to be your study guide. I'm actually working on making more like this too to cover electricity and engine performance issues. Thanks for the comment and good luck in school.
@khyber5000 Hard to say really, it could be an issue with the AC system or the idle circuit.
@mtlh05 Sorry I don't have a video on that. Things like that can be a pain and sometimes require the removal of the HVAC from the dash to do.
@cxrodformrx Thanks, glad you liked it.
Thanks for the video, just what I was looking for, how it functions, keep it up.
I love the videos you post, I have learned a lot thank you Eric
One of the bestest video about AC system thanks
great video!
you always stay on point, unlike some of these other videos where they drone on, and on, about nothing.
Great information and I love the illustrated graphics...thanks
Your videos are great something I would be interested in seeing in the future is how the ecm/pcm reads engine sensors and adjusts gas flow timing etc also a video about transmissions like this one of the a/c it was fantastic with the diagrams and actual parts
Thanks
Thanks for your basic information on the air conditioning systems I love it so much
Great vids Eric keep up the good enlightnig work and many thanks.
They are explained in simple terms and with diagrams or photos and close ups.and with a touch of wt ..
Brian UK
Great A/C video's, You've answered a lot of questions others have not taken the time to explain.
I hope sometime you show how to replace leaking Schrader Valve's.
Great job!
very helpful...and easy to understand...
I'm putting a heater core in my wife's dodge D150, decided to put in a new evaporator since I already had everything apart. thank you, very helpful!!
good video, and explination! I'll be installing AC units as part of my job on new vehicles, and I know nothing about them. This gave me a basic idea
WHAT A LECTURE, COLLEGE LEVEL . I CAN'T UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT. I TOOK HVAC CLASSES IN COLLEGE SOME YEARS AGO I JUST NEED TO TAKE MY EPA TEST TO BE CERTIFIED, BUT I HAVE NOT DONE IT BECUASE MY JOB PROVIDES ME WITH A DECENT SALARY AND SECURED RETIREMENT, BUT SURE TAKE IT BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. THANKS A TRILLION.
@lrossi888 I don't think it's moisture in the system as the components for heat and AC are sealed units inside of HVAC ducting, perhaps you have a leaking heater core causing you to fog up or your AC is not working properly. Check them both and see what you come up with.
Great video,Just subscribed! just bought a used 2004 Chrysler town and country as a daily driver to and from work. I had planned to add to the low side with a 134A refrigerant kit and I decided to take a look at the condition of the AC system before I started. I found that after the low pressure fill port the line was terminated and ty-wrapped to another terminated line. I have a trusted mechanic and I will now leave this to him to do this job. This is a warning to the DIY's who might try to add refrigerant to their system.
WEAR SAFETY GEAR, Glasses and gloves, You can get frostbite from the refrigerant. If I was not able to see that the connection was open and started to do the fill I could have been injured.
I like your videos, I’m a new mechanic and get a lot of tips from you! Keep the good work
Dude you are so freakin awesome, You explain so well and clear I now understand how this works, I was always curious and other guys want to make it sound like rocket science. Thanks for what you do
greatly informative video, dumbed down just enough, thanks dude, great work.
@foton24 AC problems are often more complicated than people think and require special tools to diagnose therefore I recommend taking it to a specialist to have it diagnosed and repaired.
Thanks for sharing Eric
@Moralvorstellung7 The service manual has that information as it varies according to manufacturer, normally you only need oil after replacing a major component. You can't by R12 anymore and even if you could you would need a license to buy it.
Thanks ~ very clearly explained , showing the principal using an aerosol can - could relate to that 👍 - (same thing happens inflating a bike 🚴♂️ tyre using a CO 2 cannister)
Excellent video and Explaination.
Great speech man,very clear and esay to get the first time. Keep up the great work. Thanks
thanks for the great video,iv got a kie sedona and the cp is really hard to get to.the system was doing great just 3 weeks after a fix and recharge we took a road trip to miss.i stop at a store and ran over a full bottle of off mosquito spray,the compressor hasn't worked since.do you think that the stuff in a aerosol can could short out the clutch?
@Usernamebreh Once you have evacuated the system of any left over refrigerant you quite simply remove the components, if you wish to remove the evaporator you will need to remove the dash and the HVAC assembly however.
Your analogy with the duster can made so much sense.
@whoyadady I have no idea of the cost but the receiver dryer is a part not a procedure, the evacuation process is the procedure and is done to remove moisture from the system, the receiver dryer also helps control moisture in the system. Moisture in an AC system will ruin it, care must be taken not to introduce any moisture into the system for proper performance and longevity of the AC system.
Hey Eric, good video, explained clearly for dummies like me, thanks.
Thank you very much for posting!
Awesome explanation
Nice video eric....very good explanation..Thankful to you verymuch
Have always found your videos both interesting and informative.And you cane up the HARD way,just as I once did. Good to see that you have now managed to become quite the celebrity guy,but more important is that you have not allowed this to cause your head to swell and become disgusting. Stay humble buddy and wish your much more success along your path in this life. Keep up the good work,since there are many of U.S. out here that need to hang on to as much as we can and don't mind staying Dirty.
nice to see this for the first time Eric
great video simple and easy to understand...
@nijeshps Thanks for the comment.
Thank you, dude, for the great demonstration.
Happy New year ErictheCarGuy
Thanks 👍
From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧
@smartiegirl59 That is actually a normal condition during high humidity conditions so I would not be concerned, I suspect the smell was from outside the car and just got into the HVAC.
@joli78363 Not on chains but I have a few on replacing timing belts.
@mrshabazz1 No videos on that yet sorry. If it runs I would say you did it right. I of all people know that there is more than one way to do something, I'm sure you did fine.
Great videos ETCG, very informative and thorough. Had a guy buy a 12oz can of Freon for his AC. From my experience the low side pressure line port is smaller than the high side. He hooked it up to the smaller port but the gage showed in the red! I figured he over charged his system. I then noticed the high port and low port were on the same line only separated by a coupling. He did although get the entire can into the system. Can you explain please. Thanks in advance.
Nice explanation. Thank you. What is the role of condenser fan in the system? Is it just to make the process of throwing heat out faster?
I noticed on the diagram of the ac system during the first 2 minutes you identified the orifice tube, and then the receiver dryer. Orifice tube systems use an accumulator, and thermal expansion valve systems use a receiver dryer. Just to clarify for the viewers so they don't get confused, the accumulator is located on the low side of the system on an OT system. The receiver dryer is on the high side with the TXV located right before the evaporator. Just trying to help out Eric.