Thanks.  Good to know.  I'll probably go ahead and disconnect since I have
replacement hoses ready and waiting to be put on.  Depends on how ambitious
I get. :)

-Ry
http://www.google.com/profiles/rylincoln

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM, Jake de Villiers <
crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Ry, you don't have to disconnect the hoses to drop the rad - there's
> plenty of length there - but you can if you want to.
>
>
> On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 7:07 AM, Ry <rylincoln@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks guys.   Seems I'll be dropping the radiator at same time as
>> condenser
>> and replacing the two coolant hoses to it since I have them on hand.
>>  Seems
>> the best time to do it is now.
>>
>> cheers,
>> -Ry
>> http://www.google.com/profiles/rylincoln
>>
>>
>> On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks Keith
>> >
>> > ---- Keith Hughes <keithahughes@q.com> wrote:
>> > > On 5/13/2010 1:13 PM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:
>> > > > ---- Keith Hughes<keithahughes@Q.COM>  wrote:
>> > > > but you'd be miles
>> > > >
>> > > >> ahead if you replaced the stock condenser with a newer cross-flow
>> > > >> style.  The stock condensers are really inadequate for use with
>> 134-A
>> > if
>> > > >> you live anywhere hot (like here in Phoenix AZ).  You can get
>> > conversion
>> > > >> fittings/hoses and a new condenser for about the price of a new OEM
>> > unit.
>> > > >>
>> > > > Keith, please tell us more about the "cross-flow" style condensor,
>> such
>> > as where to get it, and exactly how it is better than the original.  I
>> live
>> > and travel in hot places, and I am converting my camper AC system to
>> 134-A,
>> > along with searching out a leak and hopefully repairing it.  If I need a
>> new
>> > condenser, perhaps I should get one of these.
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks, David McNeely
>> > > >
>> > > David,
>> > >
>> > > The cross-flow styles are a combination series-parallel design that
>> use
>> > > higher surface area to internal volume tubes like the radiators do.
>> > > They have multiple tubes paralleled together that dump into a common
>> > > manifold that then does through a second set of paralleled tubes
>> before
>> > > exiting.  The number of parallel/series modules depends on the size of
>> > > the unit.  In addition to the higher surface area, the flow rate in
>> the
>> > > tubes is significantly lower (multiple paths instead of one serpentine
>> > > tube) allowing more residence time and greater heat transfer.  They
>> are
>> > > typically made out of aluminum, and the biggest downside is that the
>> > > tubes are quite small, and they cannot be effectively cleaned.  The
>> unit
>> > > I used was under $100, so if it clogs, replacement won't break the
>> bank.
>> > >
>> > > I got all my stuff from Arizona Mobile Air (www.ackits.com) since
>> > > they're here in Phoenix, but there are a number of places on the web
>> you
>> > > can find similar units.  Search for universal cross-flow condenser and
>> > > you should find quite a variety. If you go that route, source out the
>> > > largest you can find that'll fit, 'cause you'll need all the surface
>> > > area you can get when you switch refrigerants.  You might consider
>> > > getting two 17W x 12H units (IIRC, the stock is 17W x 19H), and
>> stacking
>> > > them in series.  You'll need a short connector hose fabricated, but
>> that
>> > > configuration will give you about the maximum size you can fit.  I was
>> > > never able to find a single unit that was the right size.  I used a
>> 17W
>> > > x 15H unit which was the same surface area as the old one (I had the
>> > > early split condenser - smaller than what you have), and the R-134A
>> > > performance is slightly better than it was with R-12 and the old
>> > > condenser. Next time I get ambitious, I'm changing out to the dual
>> setup
>> > > to increase capacity.  I'd hate to see what the performance would have
>> > > been with the old condenser.
>> > >
>> > > Keith Hughes
>> > > '86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)
>> >
>> > --
>> > David McNeely
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> --
>  Jake
>
> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
>
> Crescent Beach, BC
>
> www.thebassspa.com
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>
>