TheSamba.com :: View topic - Beetle air conditioner. Anyone tried this?

Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:45 pm

On the BeetleMex site they sell a complete air conditioner that can be installed in a Beetle. - Does anyone know about these?

http://www.btlmex.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8

Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:46 pm

Real men don't need A/C... or heat :wink:

Fri Jun 10, 2005 6:56 pm

I'm not a real man. See my avatar? That's me, really! :P

Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:19 am

There are a couple of other people out there that make aftermarket units for VW beetles. One of them is I.C.E. out of California, and the other is Gilmore Enterprises, which is available through Aircooled.net. I don't personally have any experience with either of these systems, but I've read several articles which seem to indicate that they work well.

Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:35 am

where i come from there are many companies who fit a/c units into a beetle. unless the engine is in excellent condition, u would find lots of difficulties later on. one is the severe reduction of power and others have reported to me about the high fuel consumption due to the strain on the engine. there was one case where sum1 fitted an a/c onto a 1.3 standard beetle, he ran it in a jam one day and the damn car overheated. so make sure u get the a/c fitted by a pro else u mite have lots of problems later on...but if u do get it fixed up, u would have a reli good beetle..regards, dev

Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:33 am

Anyone have a pic/info about Glmore in a 1303s. The Gilmore site and aircooed.net have no descriptions or pics of what it's gonna look like.
That Gilmore guy will talk to ya but i can't seem to get a look at one. It gets hot here and i have a "Real Man's" car and it's HOT!

Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:28 am

My 73 has the dealer installed DPD system with a York compresor which I am scared to death to opperate. The clutch catches and it seems to work but the only time I used it was when I bought the car.

Having read Muir's book I've come to understand that the crankshaft can be damaged really easily in even the 1600 engine. If that compressor is turning and you miss a shift or forget to downshift after having slowed down and lug the engine.....it could be RIP for your 1600.

Since I learned how a/c systems work in a car as a teenager I've become so stingy with a/c even in my modern cars. I use it on the freeway no problem but when in traffic on the roads and creeping in gridlock I'll cut the compressor off and vent the air through the coils until it gets uncomfortable in the car (about 15-20 minutes). Besides, with gas prices the way they are it sucks to turn a comresor and have both electric fans turn to cool the radiator and condensor.

Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:34 am

i could be wrong... but my reason for not wanting AC (there was a dealer installed ac unit in my 74 super) is that it was a major proponent to the last engine catching on fire-massive strain and power loss and all that jazz... it's not worth it-get a spray bottle with water and open your vent wings.

Sun Jun 12, 2005 6:04 pm

Hey Glen,

There's a big difference between sitting on the LIE at 5:15pm and sitting on the Katy Fwy (Houston) at 5:15pm. Texas heat & humidity can turn a real man into a wet noodle in a hurry...

Sun Jun 12, 2005 9:15 pm

There is a large difference in the amount of power it takes to operate a modern compressor that comes in some of the new A/C kits for air cooled VWs-they are far more efficient. I am surely getting a/c for mine. If you are having probs getting pics and info on the Gilmore unit, contact ICE (International Conditioning Enterprises) in San Diego-they will send you an info pac with prices, specs, and photos. And Bob Poggi the owner will explain how they affect the cooling of the engine and so forth.

Mon Jun 13, 2005 7:03 am

I have A/C in my 04 Mexi and other than a defective condenser unit it is colder than you can stand and only draws a few HP.

Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:42 am

If a larger motor could then my SuperBeetle handle AC? Could a 1775 engine provide needed power? Am prepared to replace my old 1600 motor w a newly rebuilt 1600. But considering instead to put in larger size engine so I can add AC later. Living in Florida which is quite bit warmer than Germany ! Not a 'real man.'

From this discussion groups other messages regarding AC I learn great amount of clues, ideas.

Ideas plse.

Tue Jun 14, 2005 5:57 am

i think a 1775 should be okie...in fact the 1600 would do fine but it all depends on wat u want out out ur beetle. i want my beetle to have some power in it... so i really dont want to strain it with an A/C. my friend has a 1300 with an A/C and she is fine with it. she is a rather slow driver so i guess an underpowered car is okie for her. regards, dev

Tue Jun 14, 2005 7:08 am

I have a bone stock 46hp 1600cc Mexican beetle and it is fine with the A/C on.

Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:31 pm

For all you jesting non-A/C folks out there, you are just jealous. :lol:
(If you hate it, just don't turn it on.)

I have a 1978 VW Super Beetle Convertible. I'm the second owner and have the DPD (I believe, with a Tecumseh Aspera/SPA compressor).

It was 93 degrees here today in NJ, I had it on all day. The car has 113K miles. I rarely notice ANY loss of power, just a slight jerk when the compressor clicks on. It's had small problems over the last 20 years, but no major components ever went. The Fuel Injected engine is original, and I lugged 4 pals 1,200 miles to Florida for Spring Break several times in the 90's (yip, back in the day) - and had the A/C on when our scalps burned up from having the top down for too long. I'd say a good 12 hrs.

Engine / Maintenance Issues I had with factory A/C last 20 years:

Mechanic crushed tube running to front of car while on a lift for tires, didn't notice it until the end of the A/C season, had to replace all hosing.

Compressor O-ring seals replaced. (about .40 each)

Rock hit condenser :?: I believe, had to be somehow welded/fluxed to be fixed.

Valve inserts where you fill and gauge pressure leaked. The two plugs were unscrewed and new ones were put on.

The "Min/Max" thermostat dial broke, so did the thermostat. Under 50 bucks.

That's really about it, aside from some belt squeals once every couple of years or so, I still use it all the time.

The little circuit breaker under the seat broke, it would shut system down after about an hour, than reset.

ORIGINAL MOTOR UPDATE:

The engine valves are checked every 3K, points replaced at 7K, oil changed abt. every 3K, Plugs every 9K. Overkill, maybe -- but hey it runs great, air filter, oil filter, etc. Only oil leak I have thus far is a small drip between engine and transmission

The engine does get noticeably hotter than my 73SB or 76 Westy.

8) Some slightly annoying things about WORKING VW factory (DPD/KKOOL) A/C:

1) It's hard to time engine as you have very little room for which to move the distributor before your hand becomes lunchmeat in the belt.

2) I am told it's a 1 piston compressor. (so, I believe him) When you are cruising at about 65, you can feel the 'compression sensation' of turning the thing. It's minimal though.

3) You need to have yourself or a mechanic correctly set the idle each season. WHY? Well, let's put it this way - if you don't, you will be restarting the VW each time you stop at a light.

4) The little book in the glove compartment says to run your A/C for a couple of minutes periodically each winter to keep the parts lubricated properly. I oblige to this day. It is a sucky sucky job. The last thing I want to do at -5 degrees is to activate my Air Conditioner.

5) It blows pretty powerfully out of the dashboard, but I am convinced these vents are meant to be grabbed and maneuvered by an elf with small hands.

For those of you who made it through this saga, thanks. Granted, I only have one VW with A/C, but 113K miles and 20 years of ownership says it's not too bad.

:idea: Gilmore Enterprises in Florida: I bought this system from aircooled.net. I am putting it on my '74 Auto Stick. The gentleman could not be nicer, although not installed yet, he is more anxious for me to get it installed to 'get my reaction' than I am.

The installation procedure seems very stealth to protect your 'stock look' if that's your thing. You can pretty much remove it, plug the holes, and would never know you had air.

It has 2 condensors with HUGE fans on them. I'm not sure if he want's to keep the "secrets" of his invention under wraps, so I'll try to contact him and see if it's "COOL" to post or e-mail some pix of the kit, if anyone is interested in it.

I think the guy is in Florida.
Take care everyone - don't let those scarey guys keep you away from VW A/C. I am told that chicks dig guys who don't have big sweat stains under thier shirts. 8) And I can tell you -- I like my girlfriend better without pit stains. Works both ways.

Happy Buggin'

Seriously, hope this information helped some of you out. It is accurate to the best of my knowledge, despite the occasional editorial sidebars.

Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:28 pm

I have a question about the condensor fan. I don't have one on my 73 and there appears to have never been one since I find no brackets or holes left by sheet metal screws in the area.

How does the electric fan in this system work?

Being a standard bug mine lacks even the slots in the lower pan up front for air passage. That would mean the air flow in the condensor at speed and at idle would be pretty much the same since the condensor is tucked between the hump for the spare tire and the gas tank from under the car.

Should that fan constantly run if t he system is on?
Is it on a time cycle?
or does it just come on at extended idle as in a modern car with a sensor to detect a rise in condensor temp?

I will add a SPAL fan to this system before I put it to use but I'm thinking I'll just wire it up to a termo-sensor and as a backup a switch I can throw when I drive if I wish to bypass the sensor and run the fan at will (say on a very hot day).

To see how well air flows under the car in motion I guess I will have to put the car on a lift and use a fan to simulate high speed motion. That won't replicate it well since the pavement is like 12 inches from the condensor when driving and air will be escaping under the lift but it's something.

My guess is that the condensor is starved for airflow in this car.

Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:55 am

So the condensor goes between the beam and the spare tire? I posted a while back looking for pictures of this stuff but didnt get any condensor shots. I just gota 71 bug to use for parts that has (had) but I dont think the condensor is there. Most of the AC is gone. I still have some hoses,the drier, and the underdash unit.

Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:10 pm

I have a 1970 Beetle with the stock single port 1600. I took out the A/C installed at the dealer back in 1970 and replaced it with a new unit from Gilmore Enterprises about 18 months ago. I love it, it works great and it keeps my car cool even in 95F and 90% humidity in Miami Florida. I cost me $2,000 installed.

If you look at the pictures I have posted you will see the unit. Good luck.

Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:07 pm

I had a 71 fat chick years ago with factory AC and yes it worked well on my trip to Alambama ( Tarzan heat and humidity land) but the bracket for the compressor was so close to #3 spark plug you needed elf hands with superman power to get it out, which lead to me not changing the sprk plug , which lead to the cars untimely demise........If you want good AC and really good heat buy a new beetle......or like Genn said rough it.

Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:27 pm

Miguel,
Ive checked out your pictures before and I just looked at them again. I still dont see a pic of the condensor. It should be under the car somewhere, and look like a radiator. It may or may not have an electric fan on it.

I looked at my parts bug tonite and I dont see anything in the beam area where a condensor goes or went. As a matter of fact, the line between the evaporator (under dash) and the drier (in the front pass fender) is intact, the line from the drier runs under the pass running board towards the back, but I only have two feet of it so I dont really know where it goes. On my other (non-VW) cars, the condensor is after the drier, but before the evaporator. It is clearly not that way on my bug.

Does anyone have any more info on this??