At a recent Florida Bugfest, the Ghia owner next to me (not you Ken, the other side) spoke about installing AC this summer -- probably a Gilmore unit. Some on this group believe the AS engine is already under a disproportionate load, because of the gearing and TC setup. What's the consensus, would an AS survive an AC load?
Bill
Bill,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there is plenty of reserve power (especially for a Ghia). For several reasons...
1. Total draw of horse power should be minimal.
2. A/C was a factory option for later years IIRC.
3. The bugs owners manual specifically mentions towing. This would be be way more stress than A/C.
If you're concerned about cooling, VW already thought of that as well with a over temp light on early Autosticks.
If that isn't enough, you cold add an after market oil temp gauge.
Quote from: hercdriver on 01 April 2009, 01:38
I was reading the owners manual for my 1973 and remembered this thread. The manual states.....
"It is possible to tow a trailer with your Volkswagen. The total weight of a trailer (without brakes) should not exceed 882 lbs. The trailer tongue load should be 55 to 88 lbs.
Distribute the load in the trailer evenly. And remember: the additional trailer weight affects the braking of your car so that a longer distance is needed to bring the car and trailer to a stop. Test the brakes before starting out on a trip with a trailer."
It goes on to say...
"VW Automatic Stick Shift
If you plan to tow a trailer with the VW Automatic Stick Shift, have an ATF warning light installed on the dashboard by your authorized VW Dealer.
The note for the warning light was for later models.
Dave
Hello there!
I would have to agree with Dave. An A/C system should cause only a minimal engine load. The Torque converter is a torque multiplier. The torque at the transmission input shaft can reach slightly more than double the torque output the engine is creating at the flexplate. This actually can reduce the load on the engine while driving.
I would think that the point at which the A/C could actually cause an issue, would be during idle, in gear and hot. Were it me, I would just idle in neutral instead of in gear. This would ease the load at idle. If you were to load the engine hard, like climbing a big hill, switching off the a/c will help.
I say install A/C and see how you like it.
-Evan.
Hi Bill,
So far, with my new Gilmore AC system, I can hardly tell when the AC is on. True, the weather has only allowed me to run it a couple of times, but I have to say that the engine hardly notices that the AC compressor is running. I suspect that the new compressors only draw the bare minimum of horsepower.
Ken
Hiya Bill,
Quote from: kimbill on 17 February 2010, 00:19
Some on this group believe the AS engine is already under a disproportionate load, because of the gearing and TC setup. What's the consensus, would an AS survive an AC load?
What?
Who?
Huh!
Really?
I've always considered the AS more dependent on the condition of the engine (valves, timing, etc.) but never thought of it as putting a disproportionate load on the engine. Air conditioning was offered as an option on AS (well, any) cars by VW back in the day. And that's when the compressor used some ponies out of the engine output. Today the compressors used by folks like Gilmore draw a small fraction of the available horsepower.
If your question is posed as you consider the installation of AC in your Ghia, then by all means go for it! According to Ken it's not possible to survive in Florida without AC
Hey Bill, I have had mine installed for about 3 years. Gilmore unit, didn't take much power from my old old very worn out motor. Now with the rebuild it is even less of a concern. I did install an idle up system to keep the idle at about 750 rpm with the compressor on but it only took about 150 rpm off without it. As best as I can tell it adds about 20 degrees to the cylinder head temperature at 70 mph. Love my A/C and live in Florida. I think it may be another case of persons who never actually owned one describing the effects on your autostick. Good Luck with it.
Well, "the consensus" is in: .... The AS can handle AC. .... I should have done more homework before making that "leap". That said, now it's time to back track, something I do well -- 55 years of marriage makes one a master-back-tracker....... ;D.... Some time ago, I chatted with an autostick-guy, and when we were sure no VWAR gurus were within ear shot, we agreed we start off in D1 (2nd gear).... >:( Adding to that, some here have said our engines will last longer if started in Lo. From this point, I made the big leap that AS might not like the add'l AC load..... Wrong!....... So, have I spun it sufficiently to mask my pretzel reasoning in the autostick-air conditioning post?
Bill
I don't think Air Con would add any considerable stress to an Autostick...
I have seen many Karmann Ghias in Australia with Air Con...[Ghias mported from the USA]
I was thinking about it for a few years...
but never went any further than buying a compressor.. and a few electric fans..
and I have the unit that bolts under the dash... from a 70s car..
I like to start off in LOW gear and then go to Drive 2...
but if I'm just driving around town I may stay in Drive 1...
I don't drive My beetle much in the summer as its just too hot.. 35-42C
Next month should be OK as its cooling down now at night [19C]
LEE