The compressor compresses the gas and discharges it into the condenser,
(up front). There, the compressed gas condenses into a liquid due to
pressure and releases the latent heat of vaporization thus making the
condenser hot. It will then leave the condenser as liquid, pass through
the receiver-drier-filter and then through the expansion valve or other
metering device. The expansion valve is basically a restriction which
will cause a large pressure drop. The reduced pressure will cause the
liquid to quickly expand back to a gas and absorb the required latent
heat of vaporization in the evaporator causing it to get cold,
(actually, it absorbs the heat). The expanded gas then returns to the
suction port of the compressor to start the cycle again.

I hope this helps!

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Owen
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 9:28 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: repost - basic a/c hose connection question.

I posted this question yesterday. I apologize for the repost of this but
I am squeezed for time trying to get on the road for the weekend.

Which hose connects to the SUC connection on the compressor? The one
going up to the evaporator or the one coming from the condenser up
front?

My logic is that the long hose coming from the front of the van would
connect here.

Since it wasn't hooked up when I bought it I am not sure. Clearly I
don't have the basic refrigeration principles down pat.

Owen Brand