Air conditioning is a standard feature on most new cars that operates on a simple principle of heat exchange that uses compression and evaporation to cool the air inside the vehicle. It does this by pumping a refrigerant gas called Freon through a cycle uses the simple physics of compression to create cool air. This cycle uses six basic components that together form an elaborate system in the car, affecting its performance and fuel consumption as well as the climate. Automotive air conditioning uses the heat exchange properties that are generated by controlling the pressure of gasses to create a cooling effect. Freon gas is first placed under pressure, creating heat as the molecules experience greater friction. The pressure on the gas is then released and this in turn dissipates the accumulation of heat as the molecular friction diminishes. Air is then forced past the cold air conditioning refrigerant to make it cool. The refrigerant returns to its gaseous state when it has warmed up and it is then cycled through the system again.

Refrigerant gas that is pressurized to create heat for exchange Filters the coolant to remove contaminants and moisture Pressurizes and circulates the coolant Makes the coolant gas into a liquid to absorb the heat from the system Releases the pressure and controls the flow of the coolant to regulate the rate of heat exchange Pushes warm air over pipes filled with refrigerant to make it coldhow to charge an ac unit with r22 Automotive air conditioning units are made up of five mechanical components as well as the coolant gas, usually Freon. ac dc tig plasma unitThe evaporator absorbs heat from the air, storing it in the gas before the compressor concentrates the heat from the system in order to dissipate it.car ac repair myrtle beach

Once the gas has passed through the compressor, the condenser receives the pressurized Freon gas and converts it into a liquid. It works on the principle that heat will always move from a warmer to a cooler substance. This is achieved by increasing the pressure on the gas to turn it into a liquid, and then passing it through a set of coiled pipes that absorb the heat that is generated by its compression. The pipes radiate the excess heat away from the compressed gas, releasing the heat that it carried away from the evaporator on its last turn through the cycle. From the condenser the Freon gas passes through the expansion valve that controls the release of pressure on the gas, controlling the rate at which it enters the evaporator to regulate the amount that it cools the air. The expansion of the Freon gas makes it very cold and at this point in the air conditioning cycle it is passed through many thin tubes that make up the evaporator, similar to the ones in a car radiator, where warm air is forced past it with a fan that blows the cooled air into the cabin of the vehicle.

The thin pipes transfer heat to the gas inside them quickly, maximizing the vaporization and allowing more heat to be extracted from the air, cooling it to the desired temperature. The heat that was exchanged in the process is then carried away by the refrigerant as a low-pressure gas and returns to the compressor where the whole process begins again. Poorly maintained air conditioning can adversely affect the performance of a vehicle, significantly lowering its fuel economy. The heat exchange process in an automotive air conditioning unit will only function efficiently if all of the air conditioner components are in their best possible working order. If the condenser pipes become blocked, or are over-filled with coolant it may result in reduced pressurization. Similarly, if the evaporator pipes become clogged then the heat exchange area will be reduced, creating less cool air. This makes it vital to maintain the correct level of coolant in the system at all times. In addition, there are several moving parts like pumps and drive belts that wear with use and will need to be replaced periodically.

This makes regular servicing of the unit essential to ensure that it is operating correctly and efficiently. Everything that is associated with automotive air conditioning is available on eBay. The easiest way to find air conditioning is to begin by going to the eBay Motors page and typing "air conditioning" into the parts and accessories search window. Adding the car's make and model to the parameters can further refine the selection. Automotive refrigerant for recharging the unit, as well as operator's manuals and the tools that are required to carry out servicing and maintenance for many types of automotive air conditioning units are also easy to find on eBay.Carl’s Corner – Auto Repair Help DIAGNOSE – A/C SYSTEM DOESN’T BLOW COLD AIR SYMPTOM SUMMARYThe air conditioning system is not cooling as expected. The air conditioning system may require an extended period of operation to reach the desired output. USUAL CAUSELow refrigerant level is the most likely cause of poor cooling from the air conditioning.

If there is no cool air coming from the air conditioning system, an electrical malfunction could be the cause. A defective relay, compressor clutch coil or damaged compressor are all possibilities. DIAGNOSISThe air conditioning system is equipped with safety switches that automatically turn the compressor off when the A/C refrigerant level becomes low. This prevents compressor damage, since the lubricant for the compressor is circulated through the system by the refrigerant. When the pressure switches are activated, power to the compressor is interrupted regardless of the position of the A/C dash switch. Recent regulations have prevented most consumers from doing the repairs. Special equipment is now used to remove the refrigerant, referred to as “evacuate” prior to opening the refrigerant system. Special leak detectors are used to detect leaks around hoses, fittings, and valves. Once pinpointed, the leak will have to be repaired once the existing refrigerant, if any, is removed.