Second Air Con for Ute Canopy.

[Squid]

Hi -

This question is for the Ute - RN85R with a canopy.

We have two large dogs, hence the purchase of the ute with canopy. But we noticed that in the hotter months, the rear gets bloody hot when driving, even with all windows and open.

Is it feasible to run a second element on the one AC system to chill the back.

I have thought about using a swampy or something, but having to add ice constantly is kind of retarded. I have also looked at 12v Air conditioners for caravans etc, but they aren't cheap!

Other options I have considered, and still haven't ruled out:
Re directing one of the interior vents via some tubing and fans to the back.
Putting a vent (possibly with fan) between the canopy and the car.

[matty12]

you could add a simple knee freeze unit to your existing a/c.This would require additional lines and so on.Your compressor then may not have the capacity to run it, and with most hilux's the condensor will be far too small.

[CrUZida]

Adding a second aircon in (off the existing one) is never going to be an easier solution.

You can purchase all the gear from a Crown or Celsior (which have a rear aircon/fridge), and even if you assume your AC compressor is up to the task, I doubt the condensor will be.
I know my old 60 series condensor was crap (too small due to no room), so I doubt the 80 series is much better (could be wrong).

[brett_celicacoupe]

i think the simpleist solution at the end of the day is to improve outside airflow.

ive seen the hilux's that they have the drug dogs in and they have 2 spinning whirlybird type things.

otherwise there is venturi type vents like this http://www.whiteheather.co.nz/rv-par...re.php?id=VTEV


adding another evaporator to the AC system will compromise its reliability and performance

[Squid]

Having a look at the car last night - my current preferred option is to hijack one of the AC vents, run some insulated 2 inch piping to a box inside the canopy. Will add a 12v fan to the box and she should be right...

[cambelt]

Why not just a sliding back window , then you can talk to them as well
Dave

[Squid]

Why not just a sliding back window , then you can talk to them as well
Dave

Canopy doesn't seal against the ute, but that could be a good idea... might investigate.

[senn]

The site ambo has a similar setup. Just a conertina heavy duty rubber joiner between the cab and the pan.

[takai]

Put in a couple of nice NACA ducts in the side windows and a whirlybird on top and you should get decent airflow through without needing to add refrig:

[Mr89Cressida]

you can add another compressor and condensor to the engine bay and a inside canopy evaporator and fan controller, but that wont be cheap, the only other way as mentioned is a evaporator and run everything of the rest of the car some curiours use this method when they deliver food just to keep it kinda chilled wont be very cold but not boiling hot...

it just comes down to how much money you are willing to spend...

GL

[RA40Rob]

I used to drive a refigerated delivery hilux. like the ^^^^^above post mentions
the refrigerater system run off the car system piggy back style.
made the cabs aircon crap, only good on cool days!!

[thechuckster]

are there electrically-driven a/c compressors for cars? they use electric motors for power-steer and brake-servo-assist in some rear/mid-engined cars - tho i'd guess that an a/c compressor would require more power than a vacuum pump.

[Squid]

I like senn 's idea of a bit of flexible ducting (perhaps wit fan) between the tub and the body - just need to find such an item.

Given up on the idea of refridge, whilst it a nice idea it will proove too costly

chuckster - yes there are, but they start at more than the value of the car.

As for doing it by airflow - the airflow is already good, but on a day like today, with the air temp at 40degrees, the temp inside the canopy sits well over 50 degrees, and that is far too hot for a dog. Means I can't take the dogs to the river on a day like today, which is the perfect time to take dogs to the river.

[brett_celicacoupe]

take the canopy off

[CrUZida]

Then they get burnt...


If you decide to aircon it, put some serious amount of insulation, as the 3mm thick fibreglass will be doing SFA.