Auto ac systems have a receiver/drier or an accumulator. I've noticed the drier is used in the liquid side of a variable expansion valve system where the accumulator is used in the vapor (low) side of a fixed orifice tube system.

I am wondering if the accumulator is placed in the low side to prevent liquid from reaching the compressor?

Can anyone explain this difference, pros and cons of each?

Yes, the accumulator is designed to keep liquid from the compressor. It also contains the desiccant, a substance that removes water vapor. In a system that contains a receiver drier, the receiver drier contains the desiccant. While both systems should be operating with an efficient condenser and have nothing but liquid refrigerant from that point on, that's not always the case. Orifice tubes can handle bubbly refrigerant better than expansion valves, so they pass on the receiver drier and go the accumulator route. The expansion valve systems tend to stick with the receiver driers to allow for an uniform liquid feed to the expansion valve.

Is one system better than the other? Hard to say. In good condition both cool well enough. I suppose an expansion valve is an extra mechanical part to break and/or leak, but I don't see it often. Sometimes an expansion valve will make noise at a particular RPM or load, but it's rare. Some systems, particularly the dual systems used in vans and Suburbans will have an orifice tube feeding the front evaporator, and an expansion valve for the rear.

To further complicate things, many vehicles have variable orifice tubes, and now many compressors are variable displacement as well.

What's best? Beats me, they all have ups and downs. Personally, I drive with the windows down and the A/C off...

MV

Nice that you can do that in Khali. I used to do the same in Chicago. But here in Texas the four-windows trick just won't cut it when it's 110 outside.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

aint that the truth

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

In the GM systems I see the accumulator is very close to the evaporator.
Any problems with placing it down down the line a bit, halfway between the evap out to comp in?


The Texas heat I can handle but, the heat with 100% humidity is deadly.

You know, I'm not really sure about the downstream mounting. Never really considered it, as the evap outlet and compressor are fairly close together, and the evap housing/firewall offers a good mounting spot. I'll ask around and see if anyone has any thoughts. What sort of project is this on?

As for the no A/C thing... To each their own. I live in CA's central valley and summertime temps are regularly over 110f, though this year has been pleasantly slow to warm up, our first triple digits aren't expected until Thursday. I lived in Phoenix for a few years, and didn't use A/C there either. I also travel to the eastern US, and don't use A/C there either. Heat and humidity both have their ups and downs... but it's nothing you can't adapt to.

MV