Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 09:26:35

Title: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 09:26:35
I have bought a Frigiking airconditioning set, but wonder if it's complete.
Of course I will find out during installation, but that will be much later.
I found this useful information at this site:
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Cooling/Aircon

But does someone know if there is an overview of all the parts of the Frigiking airconditioning to collect missing parts?
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on September 18, 2019, 16:42:05
I would post pictures of what you have. There are enough people here who are familiar with the system that can help you out.  I just installed one with an upgraded condensor and compressor so it’s pretty fresh for me.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on September 18, 2019, 16:45:03
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Cooling/Air%20Conditioning%20Installation%20Instructions%20for%20Mercedes%20Benz%20280SL.pdf
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on September 18, 2019, 17:23:03
I would post pictures of what you have. There are enough people here who are familiar with the system that can help you out.  I just installed one with an upgraded condensor and compressor so it’s pretty fresh for me.

Where'd you get the condensor?  Any mods needed to fit it?

Ditto compressor.  Sanden? 
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Peter on September 18, 2019, 17:32:01
Hi Eric,

I suggest the same, you could post picture.
Mine is partly mounted, I'm at the end of a complete restauration, and I also have a good Idea what is needed.

By the way, you could also visit me in Helmond to check what is needed.
You are most welcome.

Kind regards, Peter
 
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 17:34:29
Hi Eric,

I suggest the same, you could post picture.
Mine is partly mounted, I'm at the end of a complete restauration, and I also have a good Idea what is needed.

By the way, you could also visit me in Helmond to check what is needed.
You are most welcome.

Kind regards, Peter

OK great, thank you!
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 17:37:29
Here are some pics I got:

Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on September 18, 2019, 17:45:24
Definitely buy a new expansion valve.

Get the evaporator tested for leaks.

Maybe take the hoses to an AC shop and have new ones made.  Perhaps w/the new style schrader valves for easier install of the R12/R134a.

Definitely get a new drier.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 17:45:26
And some more.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 17:49:16
Definitely buy a new expansion valve.

Get the evaporator tested for leaks.

Maybe take the hoses to an AC shop and have new ones made.  Perhaps w/the new style schrader valves for easier install of the R12/R134a.

Definitely get a new drier.

A new expansion valve and drier, I'm not sure if I can find them new but I'll try.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on September 18, 2019, 18:02:34
https://www.budsbenz.com/catalog/230-250-280-sl/z-air-conditioning


I would also (my plans when I redo my AC) take off the front part and put some kind of blocking plate for the far-right vent.

90% of the air flow goes through that far right vent, thus barely anything coming out of the center/left vents.  That's due to the blower going straight to that far right vent.


Looks like you have an R12 Sanden compressor.  I probably would just get a new R134a Sanden.  Not that expensive.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Peter on September 18, 2019, 18:29:25
Hi Eric,

I miss:
• metal tube form pre-cool condenser to upperpart motor compartment
• bottom cover plate pre-cool condenser
• difficult to see if the condenser in the “airco-metalbox” is there.
• some specific brackets: “airco-metalbox”, hose water-cooling, dryer
• I don’t miss other big parts

I suggest:
• to restore/to check the 3 condensers.
• change all rubber tubes
• let the Sanden compressor be restored/change for new
• new dryer

Good address for this with experience:
Car Cool Systems
Branchweg 2, 5705 DR Helmond      
phone: 0492 526 664

Success



Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 18, 2019, 19:26:57
Everyone thanks for the tips, I have something to do the coming time.  ;D
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on September 18, 2019, 19:33:31
I would look into a new, modern parallel flow condensor and not use that bumper one.

Just gotta figure the right size and bracketry.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on September 19, 2019, 01:17:37
Besides what has already been mentioned I don’t see the compressor mounting bracket, the idler wheel, tensioner or the 3 sheave pully for the water pump.  All these are not easy to find.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on September 20, 2019, 13:09:19
Teahead,
My replacement was a generic 14” x 23”  like this one. I made 4 brackets and TIG welded them to my radiator’s steel sides. You don’t want to go any taller than 14” or you may have hood interference issues.  Be sure to keep the condenser as low as the original.  I also custom bent a 90 degree fitting for the lower hose so I didn’t have to cut the body shell at all.
The compressor is a Sanden with #8 and #10 o-ring fittings in the up direction rather than at the back.   I ended up buying a crimping tool for the ac lines.

I will post a couple pictures when I get home in October.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/A-C-Universal-Condenser-14-X-23-Parallel-High-Flow-Includes-Mounting-Brackets/173983157711?hash=item2882344dcf:g:v7cAAOSwtV1dQmAt
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 20, 2019, 20:31:10
Good explanation, I'm very curious for your pics!  :)
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: waltklatt on September 23, 2019, 21:23:48
Also missing the bracket to hang the blower motor in the rear to the underside of the firewall.  Pretty big piece there.
And the long screws to affix to the underside or the dash fascia along with the plastic cover plates. These long screws have very big wide washers to reduce the warpage of the plastic decor panel in front.
Walter
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: doitwright on September 24, 2019, 17:50:33
The only component I see of value in the photo you displayed is the air plenum with the vents that mounts under the dash. If the evaporator core is solid you can still use that. The compressor is R-12 and the condensors are the old serpentine type. Don't bother reusing those. You should also replace the blower, hoses get replaced with barrier type for R-134, New Sanden Compressor and of course the parallel flow condenser. Also replace the dryer at the firewall. Once the dryer is exposed to the air for extended period of time, its internals no longer do their job. You will also need the appropriate compressor mounting bracket and pully's. Joe Alexander reviewed on this forum an improved setup using 280SE A/C components. You would be looking for the compressor mounting bracket (photo attached), engine pully and the top of the thermostat housing (Which has a taller neck). Another issue to consider and prepare for is the added stress stress to the engine resulting in increased operating temperatures. 280SL's can be particularly vulnerable. Others have added electric fans at the radiator, heater core bypass lines, and even electric water pumps and radiators with better heat dissipation efficiency.

You can also find the Fridgeking installation manual on ebay by searching "Mercedes 230SL AIR CONDITIONING INSTALL - SPARE PARTS - SERVICE MANUAL". The listing shows several photos of the manual and will give you a good idea of what is involved.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on September 24, 2019, 19:28:49
OK thank you for the bad news.  :-\
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on September 25, 2019, 16:17:23
Just curious (sorry to hi-jack) if anyone here has converted from flare to o-ring by just changing the expansion valve, drier, and hose fittings???
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on September 26, 2019, 01:22:46
Mine are flare at the evaporator at the supply and return including expansion valve and O-ring everywhere else. If they make an O-ring expansion valve you could adapt it to the flare evaporator with a flare to O-ring adaptor.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/factory-air-o-ring-to-flare-aluminum-a-c-fitting-adapter-16748/20890217-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=20890217-P&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product_channel=online&store_code=&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXHYSIt1UCduA9yyEn5gtrT6pmX-BqR5PdGyY1E-f8_pCDkLqnyQ4T4aAj7WEALw_wcB
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on October 08, 2019, 22:38:04
Is there a wiring diagram for the whole AC system?

I would think the blower motor would run to some accessory circuit, but what about the compressor wire?

Shouldn't there be some binary or trinary switch installed somewhere?  Usually it's attached to the drier fittings.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: doitwright on October 08, 2019, 22:52:45
Checkout VintageAir.com Much to learn there and they have the parts.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Shvegel on October 10, 2019, 09:29:30
In the factory setup there is no binary or trinary switch.  The original York compressors would survive on low refrigreant flow but I doubt the Sandens will.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Nicolas Aristodemou on November 27, 2019, 14:58:36
I have been through a similar exercise lately, although a little bit more drastic.

I kept only the Frigiking evaporator and replaced everything else. New Sanden 134a compressor, new condenser, managed to squeeze an electric fan between the grille and the new condenser, new filter dryer, new refrigerant hoses and a pressure switch for protection.

My mechanic had to make an adapter in a machine shop to mount the Sanden unit but the result is an excellent setup. The compressor comes on and off very smoothly (vast difference from the old York unit) and I have connected the wire energising the compressor clutch via a relay to the constant speed solenoid on the intake manifold and adjusted the solenoid to provide a solid 700rpm in gear with the compressor on. Beautiful.....

I can post some picture online if any one is interested to see the installation...
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: JamesL on November 27, 2019, 16:16:14
Yes please. Would love to see that set up.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: EeVeeWee on November 27, 2019, 18:58:56
Yes indeed!  ;D
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Nicolas Aristodemou on November 27, 2019, 20:51:28
Ok, will do that next weekend as I am currently on a business trip abroad.
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: 450sl on November 29, 2019, 11:19:28
booklet
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Nicolas Aristodemou on December 06, 2019, 15:58:40
The photos I had promised to post.... not the best photos but give an idea of the engine bay installation.....

Nicolas
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: Nicolas Aristodemou on December 06, 2019, 16:02:10
Some more photos of my installation..... note how new condenser and cooling fan have fitted between the grille and the radiator....

Nicolas
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: teahead on December 07, 2019, 20:31:36
Can you sketch out how you wired your trinary switch?

Thanks!

Good job on the retrofit!
Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: doitwright on December 07, 2019, 21:44:58
https://youtu.be/l604JCZx_ow For Trinary safety switch.

As stated before, all you need to know about auto ac is at VintageAir.com

Title: Re: Frigiking Airconditioning
Post by: DouglasJFraser on December 11, 2020, 21:28:33
Hi
Do you have any photos of the interior installation?
Many thanks
Douglas