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Post by danie on Dec 17, 2009 18:44:43 GMT 2
We all probably know about warnings, not to install aircons in Ladas.
All owners who might have any experience with aircons in their Ladas, please feel free to share your experience with all of us under this topic. Some owners might still be thinking of installing aircons in their Ladas - so your knowledge might be a great help to other owners - to make informative desissions in this regard.
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on Dec 17, 2009 19:05:54 GMT 2
Ronnie, information about aircons in Ladas would be very interesting - I am sure more members would appreciate comments by owners in this regard as well. Comments regarding your own experience are more than welcome. Regards Danie Dannie, Jan contends the compressors are too large for the Niva motor. With respect, I do not agree. I think his concern is when ideling, with the compressor running the revs are too low and this drops the oil pressure. However is is a simple matter to add" an idle up "solinoid to increase the revs at tick over. I installed an A/C in my 1400 nissan and had no problems. I also had no problems with ARI,S niva. Some members must have A/C,S fitted and can comment. Regards Ronnie. All comments regarding your own experience will be appreciated. Regards Danie
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Post by ronnie on Dec 18, 2009 17:53:58 GMT 2
Hi all,
Just a thought, if there is problem with the A/C,S and motors are being destroyed, where are all the second hand Air cons? I have never seen a second hand one advertised.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Dec 19, 2009 7:45:57 GMT 2
I stand to be corrected, but I beleive aircons probably contributed to engine overheating problems during slow driving conditions - like heavy traffic - in very hot conditions.
I beleive the additional aircon radiator - mounted in front, would probably restrict proper air flow even more, and therefore cause problems.
With a worn engine oil pump, and slow idling - with poor oil circulation, an overheated engine could even cease. Therefore I beleive that one should make sure that the engine oil pump is in perfect condition, before an aircon gets installed.
Perhaps the engine cooling mod - discussed under another topic, might prevent possible engine overheating problems with aircons.
Well this is pure guessing - but I agree with you Ronnie - slow idling speed can be adjusted easily. If any engine lacks power to turn the aircon pulley at normal idling speed, the engine should be overhauled anyway.
By the way, I have made a simple gear modification on a Lada engine oil pump - to increase oil volume and pressure. I am on holiday at the moment, and will do proper pressure / volume tests on the pump when I am back at work early next year.
If it works, I will send a full report.
Regards
Danie
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Post by hotstuff on Dec 19, 2009 11:17:31 GMT 2
WELL I USED TO FIT LOADS OF AIRCON'S THERE ARE VARIOUS TYPES TO FIT........And if a 1100 can run an air con so can a 1600 or 1700. the compressors of today are available in very small sizes also my dad used to import a universal underdash unit back in the days these where fitted to many a small car even minis believe it or not. i am looking for one at the mo. the additional radiator wont cauze problems as u fit an external fan to increase air flow and idle solenoid with cut off pressure switch. the guys fitting ircons on there ladas over seas have mostly used the wrong type of compressor....the best suited would be a small SANDEN compressor for the lada and a underdash unit . will try and find specks etc.
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Post by danie on Dec 19, 2009 11:44:10 GMT 2
Thanks Mike - I am sure that with your and your dad's aircon knowledge , a quality aircon could be found for future installations.
Who knows - you could probably do many Lada aircon installations in future !
Regards
Danie
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Post by hotstuff on Dec 19, 2009 12:23:08 GMT 2
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Post by ronnie on Dec 19, 2009 14:03:17 GMT 2
What both Danie and Mike say makes sense to me. There is no reason that a 1600 or 1700 lada motor cannot run an A/C unit. I cannot remember what kms Ari,s niva had on it when I sold it, but it must have been about 100000 as I did about 60000 every year, and it never gave me any problems.
Regards
Ronnie.
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jan 22, 2010 7:34:46 GMT 2
Hi
Sorry but I can't help here as my lada does not have an A/C anymore, but I still have most of the parts to rebuild the A/C (compressor/radiator.)
Personally I don't need an A/C as I don't feel the heat that bad and I use the little triangular windows when it gets real hot.
Ari
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Post by ronnie on Jan 22, 2010 13:40:05 GMT 2
Hi Ari
The air con in your Lada was the prototype. The A/C factory in Durban (cant remember their name) would not ship the kit to an installer until The importer at the time gave them a vehicle to test fit. As Vanchester were taking so long and I had already paid for the A/C I took your Lada to Durban to the factory for them to fit. It took them 2 days.
Regards
Ronnie.
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Post by danie on Jan 22, 2010 18:19:14 GMT 2
I have just had another look at the pics of your Lada Ari - I haven't noticed the little triangular windows before.
Who installed the triangular windows ? Are these window modifications still available - and if so, at what price ?
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Jan 22, 2010 20:16:03 GMT 2
Danie and Ari .
The triangular windows are known as quarter lights and were on all Lada`s in 1996 when Ari`s was new. I assume Lada has at some point ommited them to save costs. As Ari says they are good to scoop in air when it is warm.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jan 23, 2010 15:29:40 GMT 2
The bigger front side windows might be an asset in cold European, Russian, and Canadian weather conditions, but they are pretty useless at our local hot, subtropical conditions.
Sounds like buying a set of smaller front windows from a stripped, older model, could be a wise, and cheaper option........
Ronnie, I can just imagine - touring Botswana and Zim with an aircon installed, must be a wonderful experience.
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Jan 23, 2010 17:15:05 GMT 2
Danie
We ran a lot of the time with the window wide open but knowing we could switch on the A/C was very comforting. Some days the mid day temps could easily hit 50 deg. If you were in the army in the Caprivi you will know what it is like.The photo of Ari"s Lada in what looks like a caravan park was at an overnight stop in Katima Mulilo right on the banks of the Zambezi and a favorite stop for us in that part of Namibia.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jan 24, 2010 12:07:21 GMT 2
Ronnie, can you remember what the fuel consumption was when the A/C has been switched on ? Regards Danie P.S. During my army days I spent a total of 9 months in the Caprivi / Kavango area. I have many fond memories of fishing in the Okavango river when having a break, also watching crocs, hippos, etc. Driving a Unimog, and taking it through its paces when on patrol in that area was a wonderful experience. Also did three months service in Ovamboland . Will never forget the heat.......... Danie
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Post by ronnie on Jan 24, 2010 18:58:00 GMT 2
Hi Danie,
It is a long time ago but with the long range tank I seem to remember we could do close to 1000KM. That would run about 10 L/ 100KM. I have never found an A/C making all that much difference to my fuel consumption. That was with the webber as i replaced the origional early on. I found and i find the same with the present Lada that no matter how often I set the slow running it does not stay where I set it. It varies from day to day. On the subject of the Caprivi the deepest sand I ever drove in was in Kaudom game reserve Caprivi. This was in the Defender and could only be driven in low box and seriously deflated tyres. Also the only camp site where we had armed guards with AK 47"s keeping us safe from the terrorist elephants at night .WE were charged twice while we were there. would go back in a flash!!! From our house in JHB Kaudom camp site was 2000 kms from here it will be 2700kms +- R2000 just to get there.Any one thinking of going do not hesitate it is the experience of a life time.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Sept 23, 2010 21:11:57 GMT 2
Hi All Due to the imminent arrival of the Air Con from Ari I have altered the position of the fuse box and relay`s as I know the inside unit makes it difficult to get to them. I have positioned the fuse box inside the cubby hole as no alteration is required to the wiring. The relay`s are loose at the moment until I can see the best position for them. I have also changed the wiring to bring on the left hand fan when the A/C is running and the thermo switch will control both fans irrespective of the A/C being on or off. I will update the installation as I proceed. Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Sept 28, 2010 18:17:54 GMT 2
Hi All
I have received the A/C from Ari today. Not much missing so I have started figuring out how it goes in as I have not seen it for about 12 years. I have prefitted the evaporator so can finish that tomorrow. The large battery I fitted needs to be altered as it is in the way of the compressor. I also need to install an electric petrol pump as the studs for the mechanical pump are used to help secure the compressor brackets. Will post photo`s in the next couple of days.
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Sept 28, 2010 18:31:07 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
This should be a very nice project - please keep us posted.
Regards
Danie
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Post by spikes on Sept 28, 2010 19:21:46 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie, Which explains why your parcel shelf moved to the righthand side of the cabin. You had me puzzled for quite a while, Now all is clear. regards Spikes
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Post by ronnie on Sept 28, 2010 19:34:16 GMT 2
Hi Danie
I will keep you all posted as to the progress. Remember I only get "pocket money" once a month so it may take a couple of months to complete. I need 2 pipes, 2 flexible pipes, 2 fan belts, 1 electric petrol pump, 1 thermostat ( to control the evaporator temp), and 2 air direction louvers.
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Sept 28, 2010 19:55:39 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I've been at Autozone in town today, and they sell aftermarket electric petrol pumps at very good prices.
Regards
Danie
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Post by marius on Sept 28, 2010 20:25:57 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie I know you are very busy right now with the AC ;D but did you ever post a how to DIY the storagel rack you installed on the driver side? I presume you just moved it from left to right? I would be interested in how you mounted it and the material used. I would like something similar but also keep the one on the left. Thanks Comrade
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Post by ronnie on Sept 29, 2010 9:02:08 GMT 2
Hi Marius
Like you I am very busy but have all the time in the world ;D. I used panelite, wood glue and clamps. Covered it with thin foam and letherette. I would post a pic but I have since modified the left one and have binned the one I made. I glued a 25mm strip on each side at 90 deg to the bottom to allow me to fix it into the centre panel and to the right hand side. 2 strips glued front and back formed the "lips" and added strength.
Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Sept 29, 2010 9:03:57 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Thanks I will log onto them sometime today and have a look.
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Sept 29, 2010 16:03:52 GMT 2
Thanks Ronnie - I always felt the need for some storage space on the drivers side - so when I get some free time ;D I will get to it.
Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Sept 29, 2010 19:29:18 GMT 2
Hi All I have installed the evaporator and the compressor. Time consuming but nothing complicated. I need to buy a few longer bolts for the compressor brackets as they are too short to leave as it is. I thought I would need an additional pulley on the crank but the compressor has a double pulley so I will only need to move the alternator forward to line up and buy 2 belts to suit. You will see from the picture the 2 vents are missing. Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Sept 29, 2010 19:30:30 GMT 2
Hi All Here is the compressor and brackets Ronnie Attachments:
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Post by danie on Sept 29, 2010 19:46:13 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Any possibility of taking a pic from the top of the mounting bracket ?
That mounting bracket looks very solid, an perhaps I could make a similar looking bracket to mount the Supercharger. It would be very helpful if I could just see how your bracket has been mounted to the engine.....
Many thanks
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Sept 30, 2010 14:26:10 GMT 2
Hi Danie Here is another view of the bracket. It fixes to the left m8 cylinder head bolt, the 2 x m8 petrol pump studs with the addition of a 12mm thick steel spacer in place of the pump body. The separate steel brace bolts to the engine mounting bracket. Ronnie Attachments:
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