Trunk mounted air conditioning

[gone]

Anyone take on a trunk mounted air conditioner in the roadster. I know real estate is limited and thef ring mounted units might not be as effective due to the small size. I'm thinking of front mounted compressor with everything else I the trunk? Or am I just crazy?
Thanks in advance for feedback?

[CraigS]

I think it is certainly possible. The one thought I have though is you run the freon through long tubes to get it to the trunk and back to the compressor, and then you would somehow need to run the cold air back to the front. Not impossible but I don't think cold air coming out of the rear of the cockpit would do much good as we are all used to having AC vents in the dash and footwell. Second thought, how about using a compressor from a hybrid. I worked on Lexus and their first hybrid was the medium size SUV RX350. The compressor was maybe 1.5 times normal size because it included an electric motor to spin it. In that case keeping the battery in the back would make sense since you need a really heavy wire to the compressor.

[shackf16]

I know that FormaCars does their custom AC in the trunk. Not sure of the specifics on their system, but clearly they prefer that setup - and it still allows for a glove box with vents in the dash and footboxes. Might want to give them a call and get some advice.

Shack

[1932]

If you did not want to run electric pump keep pump in front and hose to back, the cold air could come in the back.
I put condenser in trunk and heat exchanger. If i was starting over i would think about putting in back.
This is a 33.113011

[2bking]

Sometimes it's fun to be different and engineer things just to be different. Common sense goes out the window as excitement builds around a new idea, I tend to do that. When cars first started having AC, the evaporator was in the trunk and the vents came up behind the rear seats in front of the rear window. Time, logic, reason, and efficiency moved the components to the locations now found in the majority of the production cars today. Anything can be done but why waste the little trunk space available for AC when it can be put in places already available?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

If you did not want to run electric pump keep pump in front and hose to back, the cold air could come in the back.
I put condenser in trunk and heat exchanger. If i was starting over i would think about putting in back.
This is a 33.113011

Amazing work,well done. Something I never thought to do on my '33. Put a rumble seat back there. Do not have a roof on the roadster so not something I would do with it. With the COYOTE I think the trunk would be your only choice.

I would definitely do it, now that I know you can, living in NC on the Daytona or FFR Truck.

[Avalanche325]

There is someone on the forum, maybe the other one, that has done it.

I have to agree with 2bking. There is usually a good reason why pretty much everyone does a certain thing a particular way.

A friend told me that there is a P/S, A/C setup for the Coyote. Found one on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQHA-a-GtQU

[gone]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Just puttering]

Have you been in a car with a/c in the seats? I think you should look into pushing the air into the seats and maybe coming out from under the front of the seat

[edwardb]

Is the comment regarding "limited real estate" for the compressor and related with the engine? Or the evaporator, hoses, etc. in the dash? Both have been done repeatedly, so I agree this isn't an area to reinvent the wheel. But each has different concerns.

Regarding the Coyote, that tdmotion front runner system is nice. But a standard Mustang compressor can be installed in the stock location with the stock belts. If power steering is desired, the KRC system installs above it and is driven off the water pump pulley. It's a clean setup and works with any of the generation Coyotes.

[gone]

I guess I was more concerned with the equipment behind the dash. I have cooled seats in my truck now and love it. So the idea that was bouncing in my head was an attempt to install a heavier duty setup in the truck to provide air to the seats and possibly send some air toward the neck area to keep me cool on hot summer days sitting in traffic.

[Chris @ Forma]

Chris with FormaCars. Yes we have installed A/C in the trunk twice. While it works well, it is too complicated to build and install and challenging to maintain. Additionally, if something goes wrong, it is necessary to remove the body to work on it.
For our we had Heat, A/C and defrost. Too much duct work in too little space.
We are in the process of developing a new unit that will package under the hood and will provide heat to both foot boxes, 4 A/C dash vents, and two defrost vents. We think it will be competitively priced for the unit with basic controls (three knobs for Fan, blend air, and temp). Later we will be adding seat heat and cooling, touch screen controls, individual driver and passenger temp controls, etc. First unitis will be available early December. We are already have plans to install one in a coupe and a roadster in our shop, however, we are looking for someone to do an installaion in the field before we release the product to market. Tester will get the product at a substantial discount in exchange for helping us evaluate the kit. If you are interested, please call me at your convenience. 6145713927.

Thanks,

Chris

[Avalanche325]

Chris with FormaCars. Yes we have installed A/C in the trunk twice. While it works well, it is too complicated to build and install and challenging to maintain. Additionally, if something goes wrong, it is necessary to remove the body to work on it.
For our we had Heat, A/C and defrost. Too much duct work in too little space.
We are in the process of developing a new unit that will package under the hood and will provide heat to both foot boxes, 4 A/C dash vents, and two defrost vents. We think it will be competitively priced for the unit with basic controls (three knobs for Fan, blend air, and temp). Later we will be adding seat heat and cooling, touch screen controls, individual driver and passenger temp controls, etc. First unitis will be available early December. We are already have plans to install one in a coupe and a roadster in our shop, however, we are looking for someone to do an installaion in the field before we release the product to market. Tester will get the product at a substantial discount in exchange for helping us evaluate the kit. If you are interested, please call me at your convenience. 6145713927.

Thanks,

Chris

What, no massage function???

I think you will sell quite a few of these.

[Aircontroller]

Dang. That’s awesome. I wish I could be a test case.


Chris with FormaCars. Yes we have installed A/C in the trunk twice. While it works well, it is too complicated to build and install and challenging to maintain. Additionally, if something goes wrong, it is necessary to remove the body to work on it.
For our we had Heat, A/C and defrost. Too much duct work in too little space.
We are in the process of developing a new unit that will package under the hood and will provide heat to both foot boxes, 4 A/C dash vents, and two defrost vents. We think it will be competitively priced for the unit with basic controls (three knobs for Fan, blend air, and temp). Later we will be adding seat heat and cooling, touch screen controls, individual driver and passenger temp controls, etc. First unitis will be available early December. We are already have plans to install one in a coupe and a roadster in our shop, however, we are looking for someone to do an installaion in the field before we release the product to market. Tester will get the product at a substantial discount in exchange for helping us evaluate the kit. If you are interested, please call me at your convenience. 6145713927.

Thanks,

Chris

[CraigS]

I wonder how much a good fan would do to move air through the seats. One would need some really porous fabric but a fan for each seat would be pretty easy to do.

[RBachman]

I wonder how much a good fan would do to move air through the seats. One would need some really porous fabric but a fan for each seat would be pretty easy to do.

We have two cars with the cooled seats. They are actually ventilated by two fans mounted under the seat. The fans draw air away from the rider. The seats are leather with small perforations on the seat bottom and backs. We have the same in our motorcoach, and both work well. They use whisper fans to move the air.

[Richard Oben]

We have been selling AC systems for about 18 years at a very competitive price. There are limits. Space is the number one limit. There just isn't really any space to put the system. As far as selling a bunch, not so much. We sell several a year, not bunch. We have the plenums made 20 at a time and it takes a while to get rid of 20. Also AC is great in a very enclosed car, not in a leaky open top car. It works fine, blows cold and does all it can do in rough environment. JMHO, Richard.
http://www.northracecars.com/AirCon.html

[Rob @ Forma]

Richard is right, there definitely is limited space :). An engineering feat for sure to get the best you can out of it. I think we are all in fair agreement that it does have an impact on comfort. If anything you are able to extend your driving seasons with additional amenities. Cooled seats and AC help keep you from sweating at stop lights or slow traffic and heat and heated seats help you stay warm when driving in the 32 degree and below winter months. I think for some locations in the sweltering summer months where it is so hot outside you are going to sweat just by opening your door :) it may have less impact, but in the does make a difference.

We often have customers in Arizona call in and they do not want AC. They don't think it will make that much of a difference :). But, AZ driving season is in the Winter months. AZ people feel free to chime in!


We have been selling AC systems for about 18 years at a very competitive price. There are limits. Space is the number one limit. There just isn't really any space to put the system. As far as selling a bunch, not so much. We sell several a year, not bunch. We have the plenums made 20 at a time and it takes a while to get rid of 20. Also AC is great in a very enclosed car, not in a leaky open top car. It works fine, blows cold and does all it can do in rough environment. JMHO, Richard.
http://www.northracecars.com/AirCon.html

[toadster]

Chris with FormaCars. Yes we have installed A/C in the trunk twice. While it works well, it is too complicated to build and install and challenging to maintain. Additionally, if something goes wrong, it is necessary to remove the body to work on it.
For our we had Heat, A/C and defrost. Too much duct work in too little space.
We are in the process of developing a new unit that will package under the hood and will provide heat to both foot boxes, 4 A/C dash vents, and two defrost vents. We think it will be competitively priced for the unit with basic controls (three knobs for Fan, blend air, and temp). Later we will be adding seat heat and cooling, touch screen controls, individual driver and passenger temp controls, etc. First unitis will be available early December. We are already have plans to install one in a coupe and a roadster in our shop, however, we are looking for someone to do an installaion in the field before we release the product to market. Tester will get the product at a substantial discount in exchange for helping us evaluate the kit. If you are interested, please call me at your convenience. 6145713927.

Thanks,

Chris

any more details on this setup? would love to see a post around this!

[John4337]

I have Richards system, including the plenum. It works as well can be expected considering the leaky environment. With the top on and side curtains in, its keeps you comfortable, but air leaks and so forth take a toll. It really shines in the rain, does great at knocking the humidity down and, with the plenum, keeps the windscreen clear. I would think routing all the lines to the trunk would be challenging, but it to each their own.

Keep us posted

John

[JWolfe]

Curious what cooled seat brand you choose. We are relatively close in temperature and my back is soaking wet when I get out of my car. I have been doing research but have grown leary of "reviews" by others.

[Jammer369]

Chris with FormaCars. Yes we have installed A/C in the trunk twice. While it works well, it is too complicated to build and install and challenging to maintain. Additionally, if something goes wrong, it is necessary to remove the body to work on it.
For our we had Heat, A/C and defrost. Too much duct work in too little space.
We are in the process of developing a new unit that will package under the hood and will provide heat to both foot boxes, 4 A/C dash vents, and two defrost vents. We think it will be competitively priced for the unit with basic controls (three knobs for Fan, blend air, and temp). Later we will be adding seat heat and cooling, touch screen controls, individual driver and passenger temp controls, etc. First unitis will be available early December. We are already have plans to install one in a coupe and a roadster in our shop, however, we are looking for someone to do an installaion in the field before we release the product to market. Tester will get the product at a substantial discount in exchange for helping us evaluate the kit. If you are interested, please call me at your convenience. 6145713927.

Thanks,

Chris

Just curious on the status of the new system you were developing for the roadster? Any updates?

[Hacksaw84]

This is how you get cooled (and heated) seats without adding AC.

https://www.leatherseats.com/shop/seat-heater-cooler-unit-individual.html