Automotive Air Conditioning – Information
One may think that automotive air conditioning is a simple topic and thus most car owners are shocked to learn at how complex the system and it’s subsequently maintenance can be. The basic principle of how ones car air conditioning works is simple enough for the layman to understand but the reality of having a functioning system calls on many systems to work in perfect harmony. As modern cars rely more on the marriage of electronics & mechanical systems to make them more efficient, so too does the complexity & scope of maintenance increase.
The basic mechanical components of the system are the compressor, condenser, receiver drier (or accumulator), expansion valve (or orifice tube), evaporator & hoses. The compressor is used to generate the desired high pressure of between 10 to 20 bar (that’s at least 10 times ones tire pressure!) in the high pressure side. This gives the desired low gas entropy needed to for the pressure drop and subsequent cooling that occurs through the expansion valve (or orifice tube) and evaporator. This process is all governed by the systems integrated electrical system which is made up of a combination of pressure switches, control valves, temperature sensors, thermostats & relays which are all controlled in real time via logic programmed into the ECU. Now the real challenge is presented to Coolco by each manufacture and their various models’ air conditioning systems having unique designs. Fortunately we have been a specialist in the industry long enough to have seen and conquered it all!
Below are a few posts to help inform one about the basics of how the air conditioning system works. Knowledge is power and we believe that one should always strive to have some understanding of the workings of ones most or second most valuable asset: the vehicle!
Please feel free to contact us for any additional information that you require to help you better understand the basic function of the system and their components.
Compressor stripped open for inspection
Automotive Air Conditioning Operating and Maintenance Tips
Read moreAs a review, lets put it all together in one place, and once more trace the path of the refrigerant starting at the evaporator outlet. For our example, we'll use an expansion valve type system equipped with a receiver/drier. (The process is similar in an orifice tube/accumulator system.)
Auto A/C Systems – A Quick Review
Read moreAs a review, lets put it all together in one place, and once more trace the path of the refrigerant starting at the evaporator outlet. For our example, we'll use an expansion valve type system equipped with a receiver/drier. (The process is similar in an orifice tube/accumulator system.)
Orifice Tubes and Interior Air Distribution Componentry
Read moreOrifice tubes are used in systems that don't use expansion valves. Like an expansion valve, the orifice tube is used to control the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator. The diameter of the orifice tube is similarly small to that of the passage inside the expansion valve, but there is one big difference between orifice tubes and expansion valves.
Automotive Air Conditioning System Components and Operation
Read moreWhile in years past there were some differences, today, most automotive A/C systems contain 5 major components. These are the evaporator, compressor and condenser, and two other items, either a receiver/drier and expansion valve (also called a thermal, or thermostatic expansion valve, or TXV for short), or an accumulator and orifice tube; which two of these four last items depends on the type of A/C system.
