Retrofit a/c

phantomD · Post by **phantomD** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:31 pm

I was wearing protective glasses but not ones designed to highlight the UV, and I did miss the leak, it's in the compressor shaft seal. The system has now cut out completely this morning due to a lack of refrigerant in the system.

I was quoted an exorbitant amount for a compressor refurb, but I don't think it needs it so I'm going to be cheap and just replace the seals.

phantomD · Post by **phantomD** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:40 pm

With the a/c on the car will idle high after clutching in to stop until you do one of two things: a) rev the engine or b)turn the a/c off then back on.

I assume that the fast idle actuator is simply a bit sticky? Or could there be something more sinister going on further down the line?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:07 pm

I'd say that its just that the friction of carbie butterfly lever and fast idle actuator holding the idle speed up. Next time try a quick tap on the throttle and see if it drops back to normal idle, if it does, this is what it'll be.

Cheers

Bennie

openflame06 · Post by **openflame06** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 12:33 pm

Hey all,

Just wanted to check since im guessing its the EA81 you have with the aircon.

On my EA82 the crank pulley has one belt guide that runs the alternator, water pump and aircon compressor. Is it the same on EA81?

Im asking as another forum member has a crank pulley off a power steering model and wants to sell his compressor with that pulley (has two belt guides) as far as I can remember though, the second belt guide is purely for the power steering pump and not the aircon compressor.

If you could let us know it would be great. Thanks guys.

1111giles · Post by **1111giles** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:29 am

Guys - As you may know I have recently imported from Australia to the UK a front cut Brumby - primarly to get the Aircon system.
Got loads of other goodies too - and the body carcass is now in my warehouse up on the racking in dry storage.(hope I dont ever need it !!)
Its all in fitted up and running, had to have it completley re-wired (ensure reliability and looks neat)
We have got a belt on that allows it to operate (6degrees on test)
The belt to me looks a bit puny - like an industrial A section. To me it looks like it should be a B section (bigger cross section for longer term reliability)

Question - can anyone tell me the correct belt size for me to source?
The system is all standard Brumby EA81.

Oh and with a weber carb conversion it doesn't appear to need the idler increase solenoid thingy. Pump kicks in and out and the engine copes.

Thanks.......

T'subaru · Post by **T'subaru** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:08 am

1111giles wrote:Guys - As you may know I have recently imported from Australia to the UK a front cut Brumby - primarly to get the Aircon system.
Got loads of other goodies too - and the body carcass is now in my warehouse up on the racking in dry storage.(hope I dont ever need it !!)
Its all in fitted up and running, had to have it completley re-wired (ensure reliability and looks neat)
We have got a belt on that allows it to operate (6degrees on test)
The belt to me looks a bit puny - like an industrial A section. To me it looks like it should be a B section (bigger cross section for longer term reliability)

Question - can anyone tell me the correct belt size for me to source?
The system is all standard Brumby EA81.

Oh and with a weber carb conversion it doesn't appear to need the idler increase solenoid thingy. Pump kicks in and out and the engine copes.

Thanks.......

Hi Giles, heres a link for a parts manual for the ea81, hope it helps.
Cheers, Mark
http://www.ch601.org/engines.htm

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:43 am

1111giles wrote:Guys - As you may know I have recently imported from Australia to the UK a front cut Brumby - primarly to get the Aircon system.
Got loads of other goodies too - and the body carcass is now in my warehouse up on the racking in dry storage.(hope I dont ever need it !!)
Its all in fitted up and running, had to have it completley re-wired (ensure reliability and looks neat)
We have got a belt on that allows it to operate (6degrees on test)
The belt to me looks a bit puny - like an industrial A section. To me it looks like it should be a B section (bigger cross section for longer term reliability)

Question - can anyone tell me the correct belt size for me to source?
The system is all standard Brumby EA81.

Oh and with a weber carb conversion it doesn't appear to need the idler increase solenoid thingy. Pump kicks in and out and the engine copes.

Thanks.......

I think you are talking the idle solenoid on the stock EA81 carb and EMPI electric choke weber kits? They are only used to stop run on when you switch off the engine. I've only had high comp performance engines suffer run on, and you just drop the clutch to kill the engine. Reputable wrecker in Melbourne told me to you can just cut the pin off the solenoid and cut off the wire to it.

Cheers,
Rhys

phantomD · Post by **phantomD** » Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:25 pm

Venom wrote:I think you are talking the idle solenoid on the stock EA81 carb and EMPI electric choke weber kits? They are only used to stop run on when you switch off the engine. I've only had high comp performance engines suffer run on, and you just drop the clutch to kill the engine. Reputable wrecker in Melbourne told me to you can just cut the pin off the solenoid and cut off the wire to it.

Cheers,
Rhys

He's talking about the vacuum solenoid that tugs the accelerator cable a little when the compressor comes on to increase revs slightly. I.e. to prevent poor idle/low electrical power/stalling (even) when the a/c kicks in.

tony · Post by **tony** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:11 am

my 93 L has a separate belt for the air con.
not got power steering (but want it)

1111giles · Post by **1111giles** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:12 am

tony wrote:my 93 L has a separate belt for the air con.
not got power steering (but want it)

That's whats next for me too.....

me hopes!

555Ron · Post by **555Ron** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:50 pm

I have stolen this photo off El_Freddo (hope you don't mind - great thread btw - read through it a few times). What is the purpose of the solenoid on the right with the vac hoses? I have a Brumby with A/C one side of this hose isn't connected (seems like it should go to the manifold? - can someone give me a photo of where it runs to?), the other seems to go through the firewall into control the fresh/recycled air on the centre console.

I am wanting to put an A/C system into my 91 Brumby. I have a 92 Brumby with air conditioning that is in good condition (ala i want to keep it in good running order!). I have been reading through this site to try and work out what needs to be done. I was hoping that the loom for the Brumby would come out of the factory with air conditioning 'plugs' and it would just be plug and play. Now i'm beginning to think i need to take the looms out of both cars and swap them to achieve a successful outcome. Am i on the money? If so i'm thinking i might be better finding a donor car that needs wrecking with air conditioning and save myself some heartache and time. (Ok, i just like the idea i can waltz over to my other Brumby with A/C and look at it if i start getting confused) What would be a reasonable price to pay for an A/C system?

I do have a third non A/C Brumby that i am wrecking so i can attack one car at a time. But i don't want to pull the dash and put it back in only to find out some of the air conditioning bits are still under the dash!! (I'm a bit undecided on how to attack the job and need some advice!) Ideas? Thanks, Ron.

phantomD · Post by **phantomD** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:39 pm

Hi Ron,

That solenoid runs the vacuum actuator (picture from earlier in the thread repeated below) which tugs the accelerator cable to idle the car a little higher when it has the additional load of the a/c compressor. There should be another hose running from there to the actuator.

RE: the electrical question. There is a separate a/c loom which plugs into the factory Brumby loom and works fine. If you PM me your email address I may even have a diagram or two

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:34 pm

555Ron wrote: Now i'm beginning to think i need to take the looms out of both cars and swap them to achieve a successful outcome. Am i on the money? If so i'm thinking i might be better finding a donor car that needs wrecking with air conditioning and save myself some heartache and time. (Ok, i just like the idea i can waltz over to my other Brumby with A/C and look at it if i start getting confused) What would be a reasonable price to pay for an A/C system?

Cheapest way to do it if you can is to get an MY wagon or sedan that already has it fitted - then swap all the bits from there.

As Phantom has said - its all plug and play as the AC wiring is separate to the main looms. The tricky bit is behind the climate control panels - but this is removable to fit the switch etc without having to rip out the whole dash. I'm not sure if you'll be able to slot the AC air box under the dash on the passenger's side without removing the dash itself. I was doing a dash conversion when I did the AC air box as well - just planning ahead...

Phantom has answered the other question about the idle up vacuum solenoid - this took me some time to adjust it correctly, I think I got it to idle up more than needed due to the alternator not charging when I matched the idle revs when the AC was switched off.

Cheers

Bennie

phantomD · Post by **phantomD** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:28 pm

El_Freddo wrote:I'm not sure if you'll be able to slot the AC air box under the dash on the passenger's side without removing the dash itself.

Yes you can - the piece of interior below the glovebox comes out via screws. You need to either chop out the back of your glovebox or find the smaller glovebox that came with a/c cars.

1111giles · Post by **1111giles** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:08 am

A bit late onto this thread !
Its straight forward as you are now aware. We did it by buying a half cut brumby and swapping across all the stuff. We remade the best part of the loom as age had taken its toll.
Scoobs has a weber 32/36 carby and we do not run with idle increaser thingy.
Fuel cons is marginally down on normal, and performance is again slightly down - though hardly worth noting.
I have just bought a MY Touring wagon here in the UK and in the (full and comprehensive) paper work that has come with the car is the full instructions of how to fit an A/C kit to an existing car - that has no A/C fitted.
Of course its all the same as in the Brumby's so if you need any help/ copy of these docs just shout ok ?

Cheers !
Ps A/C was great today here in UK with a mini heat wave (well UK style at least !) 28 - 30 deg C - but very humid.

subybrumby · Post by **subybrumby** » Mon Jun 27, 2011 8:01 pm

Good to hear Giles...I'm glad it all worked out well for you. Cheers Trevor

555Ron · Post by **555Ron** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:51 pm

Ok, so i have installed the A.C. in the Brumby. Now the dash fan doesn't work nor does the A.C. system. (I also accidently disconnected the vent so i took a large leap backwards in comfort!) I think i have made a mistake - looking at the wiring diagram i have that i should have a 20 Amp fuse on the white tail i have poking out in the picture. Does anyone remember how the relay install works? I have had the voltmeter out and i have 12v on the white that is plugged into the relay and 0v on the one that is floating in air. Still haven't had a lot of time to get really into figuring it out... just thought it might stick out like a sore thumb to someone who has done it...

The fan relay works though and i get both fans on when the temperature gets up high. So some of the wiring is ok...

Buddyboy · Post by **Buddyboy** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:47 pm

Fitting an Air-Conditioner to a Brumby was my first request for assistance with this forum. After reading this thread numerous times, I must congratulate all those that contirbuted to it. It will save me countless hours, as I have been informed by other so call "expexts" to attach the fitting in a completely different manner. Thank god that I found you guys.
All the best and regards
Buddyboy

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:13 pm

All the best with it Buddyboy. You'll love the AC! And I don't think it sucks out as much power as everyone makes them out to do...

555Ron - did you get your AC sorted? I'm sorry for the super late reply, I must have missed this update of yours back in August.

I also had someone request a photo of the relays on Sunnie the Brumby, I unfortunately forget who this was and I've still not yet taken these photos, if anyone needs them PM me and I'll get them sorted now that I'm back to living close to this subi

Cheers

Bennie

555Ron · Post by **555Ron** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:28 pm

Hey El Freddo,
I got it sorted and the A/C works really well, not too hard to install. I left a fuse in the old wiring harness from the donor vehicle, i was able to make a temporary fix to get it working until i got back to the donor wiring harness.

I haven't got the idle adjustment working yet, but it still idles ok with the A/C on so i haven't been too concerned about it. Does the arm from the vacuum adjuster go straight the the carb or is there a piece in-between?

Oh and it's well worth the time and effort to fit, so comfy!

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