Calling all Hot climate area members [AC mods?]

Calling all Hot climate area members, I was thinking of ways to help our AC perform better, even if marginally.

I am thinking of wrapping the low side after the orifice and accumulator with Foam and Foil Pipe Wrap Insulation Tape.

Also thinking of adding a heat shield around the accumulator.

Any thoughts?

I thought these type of things were negligible far as results go, even the house ac it's more for protection than making it cooler.

But then again it a very hot engine bay. So some results wouldn't surprise me.
Be curious to know what you find out. I've lived in the sweltering south almost all my life and never seen wrapped ac lines.

They used to sell watering misters to setup around the coils of the outside unit of a house ac, the trick was when the fan kicked on the switch was like a paddle that would move as the air hit it and open the valve to mist the outside unit, supposed to drop the air temp around it and make the ac more efficient on hot days. Haven't heard much about these systems in a few years.


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Back when I lived in FL, I always thought the KJ had awesome AC. Better than the LR3.

I think the best thing is just to make sure everything is maintained right and use quality parts. Make sure the condenser is clean. I guess one thing that'd probably help a bit is getting the severe duty fan clutch, locks up sooner and turns at a higher RPM than the OEM HD one.

Conundrum2006 said:

I thought these type of things were negligible far as results go, even the house ac it's more for protection than making it cooler.

But then again it a very hot engine bay. So some results wouldn't surprise me.
Be curious to know what you find out. I've lived in the sweltering south almost all my life and never seen wrapped ac lines.

They used to sell watering misters to setup around the coils of the outside unit of a house ac, the trick was when the fan kicked on the switch was like a paddle that would move as the air hit it and open the valve to mist the outside unit, supposed to drop the air temp around it and make the ac more efficient on hot days. Haven't heard much about these systems in a few years.


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Agree that the results may not be significant but thought it might be worth the try. Even a few degrees would make a different IMHO.

I've seen those water misters but that's probably too involved of an idea to pursue.

HoosierJeeper said:

Back when I lived in FL, I always thought the KJ had awesome AC. Better than the LR3.

I think the best thing is just to make sure everything is maintained right and use quality parts. Make sure the condenser is clean. I guess one thing that'd probably help a bit is getting the severe duty fan clutch, locks up sooner and turns at a higher RPM than the OEM HD one.

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Yeah. My AC is fine. Just think it might help. Even if a few degrees.

I have the HD clutch fan already which I think it's fine.

The best thing one can do is clean the condenser and make sure all cooling fins are separated not touching. Lower the glove box to gain access to the recirculation screen and clean the lint and debris off of it. For better air flow. Make sure blend door is working and sealing property so no heater core heat makes it into the cold air flow. But to the extreme. Pull down head liner. And apply a thermo shield. That would definitely make a difference.

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rjkj2005 said:

Pull down head liner. And apply a thermo shield. That would definitely make a difference.

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That's a good suggestion.

Other than a system service and checking the condenser for any blockage

When I had my topless wranger, I put a rail with a couple mister heads on the rollbar. Piped it to one of those pump weed sprayers filled with water. Worked well, but had to pump often at stop lights
I suppose something similar would work in front of the evaporator.
There is a startup for the same thing on house A/C's. Senses when the A/C comes on and mists the coil on the heat pump. Has a water filter on it to prevent mineral deposits. Even has wifi connection hahaha

I do like the insulation wrap on the cold line idea...

Jeremy-WI said:

Other than a system service and checking the condenser for any blockage

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most creative solution award goes to you!

nnote said:

When I had my topless wranger, I put a rail with a couple mister heads on the rollbar. Piped it to one of those pump weed sprayers filled with water. Worked well, but had to pump often at stop lights
I suppose something similar would work in front of the evaporator.
There is a startup for the same thing on house A/C's. Senses when the A/C comes on and mists the coil on the heat pump. Has a water filter on it to prevent mineral deposits. Even has wifi connection hahaha

I do like the insulation wrap on the cold line idea...

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A good idea with your Wrangler.. although I would have suggested running the feed tube from the mister heads to a tank with a 12v windshield washer pump inside... could have just hit a momentary switch that misted you while held down... no manual pumping at stop lights. lol.

It sounds crazy but giving the sprayer thing a test isn't a bad idea. Just have one of the bug sprayers setup for single time use test run. If it really does help then you can think of pursuing a more permanent option. Insulation would help alot. I have notice on really hot days my feet start baking from the engine/trans tunnel.

I need to install a bypass switch for the compressor clutch relay. mine likes to cut out if the throttle position is too great for its liking, and I haven't down shifted. very annoying.

sota said:

I need to install a bypass switch for the compressor clutch relay. mine likes to cut out if the throttle position is too great for its liking, and I haven't down shifted. very annoying.

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that's an oddity.
even replacing the relay didn't work?

Jbergun said:

It sounds crazy but giving the sprayer thing a test isn't a bad idea. Just have one of the bug sprayers setup for single time use test run. If it really does help then you can think of pursuing a more permanent option. Insulation would help alot. I have notice on really hot days my feet start baking from the engine/trans tunnel.

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yeah if I'm brave enough and have time to pull the carpet I'd like to insulate the floor around the ******.

There are existing engine sprayer kit but I think that's a little over board.

The jeep cools fine when moving, it's just when it's idling when it ***** big time.

I suppose adding hood louvers would help.

uss2defiant said:

I suppose adding hood louvers would help.

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Yep really does help.My AC doesn't drop but 2-3 degrees at most when I'm stopped compared to moving temps.

I upgraded to HD cooling recently and it made a huge difference.

Before upgrading I started by checking AC charge, and the compressor was less than a year old and new not reman.

I chose the severe duty fan clutch, same price as heavy duty, and word is it locks at a lower temp. I couldn't find the actual temperatures listed anywhere though. However, the other benefits I found convinced me anyways, here is what I found from Hayden on the subject: http://www.haydenauto.com/upload/HaydenAuto/Documents/Cat_Hayden/2007-hayden-fan-clutch.pdf


At the same time I also changed the radiator due to the standard top drivers side leak. When I did this I separated the trans cooler and ac condenser and washed them out with medium pressure from a hose. It was surprising how much dust and dirt came out even though they looked mostly clean to start with.

I think misting in front of the condenser would help for sure, to me it is just a question of how much, and is it worth the extra trouble/maintenance.

uss2defiant said:

that's an oddity.
even replacing the relay didn't work?

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nope. relay isn't the problem.
ECU is sensing loading based on throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, and cutting the A/C out thinking that it needs more power. Its similar to how A/C will cut out if you're at WOT.

sota said:

nope. relay isn't the problem.
ECU is sensing loading based on throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, and cutting the A/C out thinking that it needs more power. Its similar to how A/C will cut out if you're at WOT.

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Yep and totally normal and is standard on every vehicle with OBDII.

just wish it wasn't so aggressive with killing cooling. just one more thing I need to drive around on the jeep.