AC condenser fan retrofit

[Falcon_LS]

It's almost midnight, and the temperature outside is 38°C (100°F) at the moment. Basically, it's starting to get really hot and it isn't uncommon to see temperatures over 50°C (122°F) during the day.

I try to keep my AC condenser as clean as possible, despite the dust, and pressure rinse it once every two weeks or so. But I'm wanting to boost my air conditioning's cooling ability on the Grand Marquis a bit further by installing a condenser fan in front of the condenser and behind the grille.

My Montero came with this as standard from the factory, and it really helps when you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic at noon. I'm hoping this will also help the ATF and PSF cooler mounted directly behind the AC condenser as well.

I'm just wondering if anybody's retro fitted this on any vehicle before, especially if it was a Panther platform vehicle. I'm aiming for a factory-like installation as much as possible, and would like to make use of connectors as opposed to hard wiring things together. I assume a relay will be required for this modification? How would one go about wiring it so that the fan only operates when the air conditioning's on?

Thanks!

 

[JHZR2]

Why not add a second condenser or received/dryer in series to have more working fluid/condenser area???

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks! Sounds like a very good idea actually, but there will be some space restrictions. I'll do a bit of measuring to see if fitting a second condenser is doable. If not, I should be able to fit a second receiver/dryer over the passenger side control arm without problems.

 

[TheMAN]

how many miles is on that ford? if it has a lot of miles, you should check the fan clutch... a marginal fan clutch will give you symptoms like these despite the fact that the engine doesn't overheat (yet)

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
Thanks! Sounds like a very good idea actually, but there will be some space restrictions. I'll do a bit of measuring to see if fitting a second condenser is doable. If not, I should be able to fit a second receiver/dryer over the passenger side control arm without problems.

Take a look on the MB forums where people are trying to upgrade w123 diesels to have better cooling, especially after r134 conversion. These techniques have been done successfully. Could likely also look at a higher volume condenser with better geometry if it may make a better fit.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I've actually got 253,000 km (158,000 miles) on the clock, but being a 1998+ vehicle, it has a dual speed electric fan in place of a mechanical one. The electric fan was replaced last year before I bought the car.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Take a look on the MB forums where people are trying to upgrade w123 diesels to have better cooling, especially after r134 conversion. These techniques have been done successfully. Could likely also look at a higher volume condenser with better geometry if it may make a better fit.


Thanks, I'll check MBWorld and read up on this! Certainly is a decent idea and definitely worth considering.

 

[JimPghPA]

If you could change the diameter of the drive pulley to something a little larger you would increase the speed of the compressor.

Tinting the windows (if it can be done without getting in legal trouble), will reduce the heat load.

 

[eljefino]

How hard would it be to get an older panther mechanical fan setup? My 97 GM had both mechanical fan and an electric one. Oddly the electric one was also a "puller", sandwiched between the radiator and engine.

Or, what if you could re-motor your existing puller fan with something with more amps draw and hp? They say Tauruses and Mark VIIIs have incredible electric fans.

 

[Chris142]

A 2nd condensor with a set of fans would help. No reason or need to add a 2nd reciever dryer/Accumulator. That wont get you anything.

 

[1kickbuttranger]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
It's almost midnight, and the temperature outside is 38°C (100°F) at the moment. Basically, it's starting to get really hot and it isn't uncommon to see temperatures over 50°C (122°F) during the day.


Wow!!

 

[stranger706]

I installed an electric fan on a Ford Ranger I used to have years ago. The stock fan was a mechanical puller type that was belt driven with a temperature controlled clutch. The electric fan I installed was a pusher type and I installed it right onto the front of the A/C condenser. It did not seem to have any effect on the performance of the A/C system. The stock system was quite good actually; I just wanted to see if it would get any colder.

You may want to ask around on some A/C forums and see what suggestions they have.

 

[mechtech2]

What is the stock fan?
Isn't it electric?
Another fan could help at low speeds, for sure.
It may restrict flow at higher driving speeds, for both the condenser and the radiator.
i think I'd use a manual switch on it.

 

[meep]

a bigger condenser would help, but at a big, big cost. labor+materials. an electric pusher fan might help, but it needs to be large enough to NOT restrict the existing oem fan.

there IS a limit on how much an A/C change change the air temp!! if you are seeing 122F ambient, it could be 130 sitting behind a car that's blowing its undercarriage hot air into your grill. 30-40 degrees is a HUGE difference in temp-- 20 degrees is the maximum effective guidelines for residential A/C.

A fan is a cheaper experiment than a condenser. I think you could just drive a relay off the compressor and slap a 40 amp fuse to the battery. 10 or 12ga wiring. I'd socket the relay... it will be a wear item.

window tint, even if it's a mild tint, that has the heat block in it will make a *noticeable* difference, as stated above. Make Sure it has the heat barrier. it needs to SAY, on the box, that it does!!

A white roof also makes a HUGE difference.

 

[OVERKILL]

The electric fan in the panther cars is a BIG fan. I'm not sure its output in relation to the Mark VIII fan, but it is the same size. I wouldn't want to be rigging more fans into the system.

 

[mechtech2]

Also, at 100+, no R123a system works well at slow speeds.
They just don't.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: 1kickbuttranger
Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
It's almost midnight, and the temperature outside is 38°C (100°F) at the moment. Basically, it's starting to get really hot and it isn't uncommon to see temperatures over 50°C (122°F) during the day.


Wow!!



I know right? Sheesh.

 

[PandaBear]

Just throwing some ideas out there: as mentioned bigger crank pulley or smaller compressor pulley if you do not drive high rpm much, extra condenser if you have the space and money (even an old one from junk yard for a smaller compact car) and can weld or know a cheap welder, water injection onto the condenser from junk yard turbo car (using windshield washer fluid), 2nd fan in serial, higher current/speed fan in place of what you have right now, window tint, white paint job, etc.

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
The electric fan in the panther cars is a BIG fan. I'm not sure its output in relation to the Mark VIII fan, but it is the same size. I wouldn't want to be rigging more fans into the system.


The Mark VIII fan is a monster. A lot of people install it on turbo/supercharged cars for the extra cooling over stock.

 

[JimPghPA]

An extra accumulator (dryer) will allow you to add a little extra charge, so you will know that the system is topped off. Most of us know that almost all compressors leak some over a few years, and when the charge is not enough the AC will not cool 100%. So basically what you gain with adding a second accumulator is a longer time that the system will perform at 100% before you will have to add refrigerant.

If you can add insulation to the cabin and also seal up air leaks you will improve the performance of the AC. Could be as simple as putting an extra layer below the carpet. Add insulation to doors, and be sure door seals are all good.

I would also add insulation behind the back seat in the trunk if it has that set-up.

It is hard to find all the air leaks. In very cool climate you can feel cold air come in around door handles on some vehicles.