My A/C temperatures

[rubyg]

My wife complains about thr temperatures so I did the folowing tests:
on a warm day here in Florida ouside temperature 93 I went to my smart and put my Fluke digital termometer with a termocuple well inside the central vent the temperature was 125 F , so I start the car with the AC and I read a peak of 45 F after a a few miles and then went to 50-52 average with the recirculate on.
This morning temperature was 85 ,so the inside of the vent was at 85 ,after a few miles went to a minimum of 37 (for a brieft moment) and then average of 40-42 , then I went to my dealer in Coral Gables Miami and I went into a demo car with 800 miles , at that time the temperatue outside was 87 so we went for a drive and I put my probe on the AC it register a minimum of 38 and averages of 40*42 this car had tinted windows.
My conclusion was the 2 cars had the same perfomance on the AC ,the fan while is at max speed ,the load of the car can change the speed of the fan by lowering the RPM of the fan, when the you put it withe recirculator on is about 2 F less temp on the vent ,and tinted windows do not make a big diference so on a hot day you can expect :93 F outside and 50-52 inside the vent at max fan speed and minimun temp seting.

[nonuro]

To me, it's not the temp in the vent it's the temp where I am. There is way to much heat transmission from the roof because the shade isn't solid and insulated. Let the flaming begin!!!

[jediknight36]

I could see that. Any way to help this?

[Okie Boy]

Originally Posted by nonuro

To me, it's not the temp in the vent it's the temp where I am. There is way to much heat transmission from the roof because the shade isn't solid and insulated. Let the flaming begin!!!

I installed a cover in the roof (headliner) I made from white foam-board and I covered the bottom side with black felt for looks. The new headliner makes a big difference in the in cab temp on our current 106 degree days. I can no longer close my roof-shade but I feel that is a plus because it affords me a little additional head-room.

[RussBarnes]

I bought a 50' roll of 1/4" thick bubble wrap from Lowes from,which I cut rectangles to put inside the windows, behind the shades in our 40' fifth wheeler while it is parked. I run the A.C. to keep it at 80 deg so the interior doesn't get baked out from non use. This change made it real easy to cool from just one A.C.

So I had a little left and I cut a 27" x 30" piece for our smart and slid it in from the rear, between the shade and the window. It really helps there too, but no scientific results, just the seat of my pants don't get as warm on the black interior. It fits better than the slip in sun screens some use and has better insulation, plus reflection from the aluminum foil.

Personally I wish the Passion could have been ordered with no sun roof - I have had too many and hate them. A real roof and insulation would have been much better.

I also think the problem on the smart is that the ducting isn't well thought out. I have a few other cars and the outside ducts move a good amount of cool air where I want. However there seems no way to get enough on the smart. I blame poor HVAC engineering and distribution is the culprit.

[denisjolicoeur]

Has anyone tried just using window tint film? tinting the roof panel darker?

[miami451]

Another idea is to use the vinyl wrap material that is see through. Its installed on the outside and can be easily removed without damaging the top.

[ownapair]

I was very concerned about the AC when I ordered my Smart sight unseen. Here in Houston 95 degree temps with high humidity are the norm in the summer. Hit 101 the other day. I have been very satisfied. I run it on max and re-circulate with the regulator set to 68 degrees. Sometimes I notice it regulating. It cools the car fairly rapidly, but I usually try to park in the shade.

[SuperGeek]

I added tinting to side and rear window (35% light, 40% heat transmitted side; 20% light, 20% heat transmitted rear.

Internal temp went down probably 10-20 degrees just by perception. If I park so the rear faces the sun in the morning, it makes a huge difference. Driving, I no longer feel heat on my left arm.

Window tint is a combination of factors - light and heat transmission... a pro shop will do the smart side and rear windows for $100-200 and offer you a wide selection of films to fit what you need. I used Llumar Platinum Plus and love it. See my gallery for pictures.



The roof apparently can't be tinted due to the material. It already has a tint but the real problem is a direct overhead sun will sear straight through even the sunshade, and the only defense is a total block from foam or sun shade placed up there.