Something diffrent I need to find the best way to cool a compressor (see inside)

[IMPORTHUNTER]

I have searched around the net and I keep coming up with PC cooling forums so I will give it a shot since you guys know how to do this. Here it goes:

I have a air compressor, this compressor is on my truck. I have tried many ways to air cool this thing, It reaches temps above 300* at times. The whole case is made of aluminum. I painted it black. First let me draw a little diagram of the set-up currently in use:



The idea is to suck the heat out of the case (where the pistons are), compress it, and introduce fresh air and oil to the case.

Now, I have perfected the cooling of the air INSIDE the compressor I think it is the most efficent way to do it and have proved this in a bunch of them I have built. Now the biggest problem is how to remove the heat from the aluminum casing. I think this would make ALOT of diffrence.

I have access to the same stuff on my truck as you do on your computers, a 12Volt source and I can tap into the cooling system on my truck. I am thinking of coiling copper lines around the hottest parts of the compressor and run antifreeze/water through them. What do you guys think the best way is? I dont care how extreme it is.

Thank you!

 

[FragTek]

Hrmmm, we could totally get creative with this

I shalt take some time to think about how to best cool the compressor case. I think NoL or Ham would come in handy here. I'm thinking a rotary water chiller setup to a copper line coiled and welded directly to the case as briefly described by the OP.

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

Right on, I do have access to a aluminum welder so yes get creative! THANKS!

 

[Ham]

Unfortunately a decent ref compressor would drain the battery in a matter of mins .

As you have a 12v source maybe soft solder a large length of copper around the casing, a D5 (Pump) and one of those magicool 480mm rads with a few deltas on? Water cooling on a 12v pump would be you best bet imo.

Are budget and noise a concern?

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

This is it apart and in its current state. i have no problem modifing it at all. In the first pic the cap to the right sits on top of the compressor.



Here is the under side of both



And lastly a sideshot

 

[llwyd]

Unfortunately a decent ref compressor would drain the battery in a matter of mins .

As you have a 12v source maybe soft solder a large length of copper around the casing, a D5 (Pump) and one of those magicool 480mm rads with a few deltas on? Water cooling on a 12v pump would be you best bet imo.

Are budget and noise a concern?

That's what I was thinking, solder copper tube in a coil around the body and run water through it with a 12v pump, into the biggest radiator you can. Would be sick. Most of the stuff you need would be obtainable from watercooling shops, except the copper of course. As it's on a truck I doubt noise is an issue so as Ham said, get some massive Delta or Panaflow fans on it, pushing like 1000 CFM of air - cant go wrong

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

No not too much of a budget but I usually have access to alot of parts to everything, lol.

Noise is not a issue, my truck is noisy already. lol!

I do want to explore all the posibilities too, just incase 1 idea dont work for one reason or another.

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

Oh, I can use the condensor that used to be for a/c, I also have a electitc fan on it that produces 2100CFM (hows that for big?)

 

[FragTek]

Ham, what if he had it setup to be powered by a generator, or he could just keep his truck running and use the power from the alternator.

Even better, he could install a secondary auto A/C compressor and bypass a 12v compressor all together.

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

Ok I have 2 optima redtop batteries and 2 alternators, so the electrical is not a problem. The only problem is I dont have the room or horsepower to run another pump off the motor. I already have 1 elecrtic compressor that is dedicated to the air ride on my truck.

ALSO the compressor will NOT be on unless the truck is running.

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

I am going to check back in a few hours to see what you came up withlol. Thanks a bunch!

 

[llwyd]

Well I expect it's aluminium if it's from an AC unit, which would be a problem when used in water cooling with copper. Would create a buildup of what is scientifically known as gunk which will nail your pump. Depending on how far you want to go with it, there are some pretty extreme cooling solutions out there (by out there i mean on this forum). You could have the water cooling system suggested but instead of a radiator, have a Heat Exchanger plumbed into a Vapor Phase Change system, which when setup like that is known as a Chiller. You would need the advice of some of the resident phase nerds on this though as the temps we're dealing with might be a problem. Plus it wouldnt be particularly cheap. Especially in the UK

 

[FragTek]

Ok I have 2 optima redtop batteries and 2 alternators, so the electrical is not a problem. The only problem is I dont have the room or horsepower to run another pump off the motor. I already have 1 elecrtic compressor that is dedicated to the air ride on my truck.

ALSO the compressor will NOT be on unless the truck is running.

Perfect, problem solved Ham Back to the water chiller idea, this will be EXTREME!

@Llwyd: I'm gonna take a stab and guess he's from the USA, not sure though.

 

[Ham]

I don't think a An Car aircon compressor would handle the load directly. But that gives me an idea...

 

[FragTek]

I don't think a An Car aircon compressor would handle the load directly. But that gives me an idea...

He can't run one anyhow it seems, but with 2 alternators and a pair of Optima's he has more than enough current to run a 12v rotary.

Spec up the plans for this chiller Hammy boy! Someone drag NoL in here, if he's in the USA maybe NoL could actually make the chiller setup for him.

 

[llwyd]

He's got an AC condenser, no compressor (apart from the air one in question lol). The condenser could be used in a chiller though, along with a small rotary like frag suggested. Where's NoL when you need him!

 

[Ham]

That's a chiller that any one could build. The problem would be getting the tools too do it and then tunning it.

Do they even make 12v rotarys? Normal ones pull a hell of a current, i hope this guy has a lot of petrol...

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

So what you guys are saying is I am pretty much wanting to make a electric a/c system right?

Would I use water instead of say R-134A?

And yes I am in the USA, lol. I also have great access to used car parts, and I still have the stock A/C parts. Hey could I use this same system for an a/c system in my truck? LOL!

Where can I get the pump?

 

[FragTek]

So what you guys are saying is I am pretty much wanting to make a electric a/c system right?

Would I use water instead of say R-134A?

And yes I am in the USA, lol. I also have great access to used car parts, and I still have the stock A/C parts. Hey could I use this same system for an a/c system in my truck? LOL!

In essence you would be using an air conditioning system to directly cool a water loop to sub ambient temperatures.

 

[IMPORTHUNTER]

How would I build the heat exchanger?

Where can I find a pump that would pump the freeon for the a/c?

So let me get this straight.

I coil copper line around the compressor, use water through the lines, use a fuel pump or inline pump to circulate the water, then build a a/c system (I want to use a electric pump for the a/c system though)

I see what you are saying and I LOVE IT!