parallel flow condensor installed in a W123

[dmorrison]

I purchased the 14X22.5 parallel flow condensor from ACKITS.com and had a manifold made up at a local hydraulic shop, actually 2 sets since I had to adjust everything higher then I originally thought.
I bent and welded brackets for the middle section. Sized and twisted the upper brackets. Drilled holes in the radiator support and primed them to prevent rust. Then made a bracket to support the manifold that was made. I wanted to prevent any flexing of the tubes that could lead to cracks and leaks. Attached is the condensor un-installed.

Dave

[dmorrison]

Here's the condensor installed.

Dave

[dmorrison]

The fittings for the condensor as installed
Dave

[engatwork]

Good job DM. What is the p/n from ACKITS for this condenser? Are the hose connections "standard" for that part number?

[Q]

MAN!!! You forgot the most interesting part of the story. Is it colder?

I had my W126 converted and am miserable with the results under this Texas sun. I want to do the same thing you are doing and upgrade the fan to a higher CFM.

[dmorrison]

Engatwork
The part number is as follows

Item # 12-0437C $ 81.40 plus freight

http://www.ackits.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Parallel

The connections are standard. But the tubes and fittings were TIG welded on at a local hydraulic shop here in Ft. Worth.

Q

I am not "converting to R134a", I will keep the system R12. This condenser is 35% more efficent so it should make the system work even better. I may add a 14 inch fan in the front and have it turn on when the compressor is on. This should get the most out of the sytem here in Texas. I also have window tinting in the 300TD

Dave

[Zoonhollis]

Great pics and info! I know what I'll be doing come springtime...

[haasman]

Dave

Nice work! It will be interesting to hear about the improvement in cooling.

In your second picture I noticed that there wasn't a fan shroud installed. I can't remember whether your model actually has one or not. Is it not installed because the photo was taken during installation?

My thought is that using the shroud would help the volume of air being pulled through your new setup.

Haasman

[dmorrison]

instalation in progress.

The fan shroud, fan, suction hose, compressor, manifold hose, dash, center console, expansion valve, instrument cluster all still need to be installed.

Dave

[GregS]

I'm not alone in this club now! My car looks just like yours. I used the same condensor from ackits and have been very satisfied with the results. I like the manifold you had constructed. I didn't know anyone how could do that for me, so I had custom hoses made up by the guys at ackits (the hoses basically look just like your hard lines, althought my bottom hose connects directly to the receiver/drier.

Good work, you should be pleased with the results. My middle vents blow around 42 degrees at speed, 45-48 at idle (a noticeably change, but still comfortable). This is in 90 degree Washington, DC weather WITH R-134a. Pretty good, in my opinion. It will be interesting to see the results with R-12 with this condensor.

GregS
'84 300D, 178k
'90 300CE, 170k

Dave,

Looks great!

I personally would not turn on the fan when the compressor is on. That means when the compressor kicks off the fan will go off. Wire it up as original which will turn on the fan when the high side pressure is excessive. That's really what the fan is there for, to bring down the high side pressure.

How's the airline business? It sounds like things are picking up for you guys. As for me I'm currently unemployed and doing my best to change that.

Have a great day,

[dmorrison]

Larry
Good to see that your still around. I had not heard or seen a post by you in quite a while.
Sorry to here about the job situation. Hopefully something will come up for you.
The Airline buisness is suviving. It has changed and hopefully we will or have turned a corner recently. The pay cut and work rule changes were not fun but I know your situation is a lot worse. again hopefully something will come up for you.

I will probably keep the fan setup as original unless I find that the continuous running fan produces better cooling. I'll play with and find out about that next summer.

This job has really dragged out, its almost embarassing how long I have taken to complete it. But with other cars here and the stress of the job and kids at college. The car sits in the garage and gets tinkerd with ocasionally. I'm hoping to get it done by weeks end or so.

I have replaced everything in the AC system except the long high pressure hose and the ETR unit. All other hoses, the compressor evaporator, condenser, vacuum actuators, completely cleaned and refoamed the heater/evaporator box. New tubes and 3 and 4 way connectors. The only reason I did not replace the long high pressure hose, quite a few techs have told me that they never fail unless damaged. Mine looked almost brand new. I replaced the short high pressure hose only because Phils warehouse people sent it to me by mistake, So I got a freebee. The ETR valve was not the same as the one I had in the car and that unit was working fine when removed. Replacing that in the furute is quite easy so I figured I would just use the old one.

I have another post on the steps to reinstall the heater/evap box and will add the notes I am making of every step of the way for this whole job.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/80341-order-installing-evap-box-w123-post526705.html#post526705

Take care

Dave