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Old 06-06-2008, 11:43 AM   1 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)
 
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How to get AC in my Smart!!!!

I have bought a pure and am trying to figure out how to get an AC unit put in the vehicle if any one could help me you would be GOD in my book.
Josh

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Old 06-06-2008, 12:57 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Originally Posted by Jsmoka View Post
I have bought a pure and am trying to figure out how to get an AC unit put in the vehicle if any one could help me you would be GOD in my book.
Josh
Josh. I don't think it can be done, within reasonable $$$.

The AC and the dash are installed on the line as one unit.

The subject came up early in the life of this forum. Sorry. A2.
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Old 06-06-2008, 01:38 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Dealers will not do it

I work at the Tyson's VA dealer,

We had an orphan pure that came without AC.

We wanted to add it (cause no one wanted to buiy it without?)

Our mechanics wouldn't touch it.
They said they would literally have to strip the car down and rebuild with the AC. Too much time and trouble and the labor would cost more than the parts.
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Old 06-06-2008, 01:43 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Hi,
I have a pure with a panoramic roof, and it's get's hot when the sun comes out.

My husband is an electronics techie and is going to try and to use a Peltier Cooler/Thermo-electric cooler to help cool down the car. We ordered a unit with fans and a heat sink and we are awaiting it’s arrival. I will let you know how it goes, and make a how to document if this is successful. We got the idea from this website (arg... can't post links) instructables.com and the topic is Air-CoolerHeater if your interested.
Cheers ...
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Old 06-06-2008, 02:01 PM   #5 (permalink)
 
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Coulda/Shoulda ordered an AC.
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Old 06-06-2008, 02:06 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jsmoka View Post
I have bought a pure and am trying to figure out how to get an AC unit put in the vehicle if any one could help me you would be GOD in my book.
Josh
It's easier than you think. Sell the Pure and buy a Passion coupe, problem solved!
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Old 06-06-2008, 02:34 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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I'm not sure the Peltier cooler is going to help. For one, I think the electrical demand would be too high given the number of coolers needed to cool the large interior space of the smart. (Yes, in terms of thermoelectric cooling, that's a large space!) In a typical beverage cooler application, 60 watts of power is needed to cool an interior volume of no more than 1.5 cubic feet approximately 35 degrees. And that's without the solar heat gain fighting against you.

Further, the time required to bring the ambient interior temperature to a comfortable level would mean that all but the longest car trips would be sustained in uncomfortable heat while you wait for the car too finally cool down to a reasonable level just as you arrive at your destination (or, more likely, it never cools enough during the whole trip).

Additionally, there's the issue with humidity. These devices are much more effective the less humidity there is. If your environment is particularly humid, your results will be unsatisfactory.

Finally, this would have to be installed in such a manner as to draw the hot air out of the vehicle, as opposed to blow cool air into the vehicle. In a typical application (say a drink cooler), there is a fan used to draw the warm are out of the enclosed interior.

I would think your only two viable options are to buy an auto evaporative cooler (again, only really effective if your humidity isn't high) or find someone willing to do the digging to install the A/C unit. An auto evaporative cooler will cost a minimum of $300. No installation needed, though.
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Old 06-06-2008, 02:52 PM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Auto evaporative cooler

I lived in Florida for several years with cars with no A/C. Much cheaper than installing A/C or an evaporative cooler is the poor man's evaporative cooler: A 32 oz cold drink between your legs. Very effective.

YMMV.
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Old 06-06-2008, 04:20 PM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Your getting better performance and MPG without A/C.....Just keep a cool drink on hand with the cash you save!!!
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Old 06-06-2008, 04:46 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Two Sixty A/C

Two windows down @ 60 mph. ;)

Sorry. That's all the help I had.
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