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Spitfire New thoughts on a.c. in Spitfire

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N

number6

Jedi Trainee
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After taking into account all the ideas I've gotten from the forum. I came across an AC unit designed for teardrop trailers. My thought is to mount AC unit and a small generator in a tow behind trailer similar to what you see behind motorcycles. Tow behind can be vented for cooling and is light enough for the Spitfire. Flex hoses can be routed either to the floors or by adapting to a hard top. When not in use,
disconnect trailer and no permanent changes to car. Unit is 5000 BTU from Climate right. Price is cheep
compared to fabricating, sizing, and punching more holes in the firewall as well as upgraded electrics and carb switches. Any thoughts?
Tom S.
 
Sounds like something someone in Texas or Arizona would try -- not sure how hot NH gets.

In my experience with a vehicle that has the factory AC towards the rear of the car... you lose a lot of the benefit if the air is not blowing more or less right at your upper body and face. Something you might keep in mind as you think about duct routing.
 
Tom,

Sorry but this sounds a little nutty to me. Pull behind trailers are not cheap. The adaption of flex hoses to the car requires cutting holes in something. Pulling a trailer kills the great handling of an LBC. If the car is too hot in the summer do like I do in Alabama. Don't drive it in the hot months.

BOBH
 
bobh said:
...Don't drive it in the hot months...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that would be April thru October in the southwest -- so we drive year 'round and either start earlier or bring lots of water. Our next drive begins at 5:30 am -- great thing is that it is a weekday but even the guys with jobs can go on the run, have breakfast and still get to work.

Every August we have the Mad Dogs & Englishman drive that guarantees more than 100 miles at more than 100°:

109_zps4b0b3e75.jpg


Free gelato (and lots of ice water) at the end. Remarkably few heat-related issues in all the years we've done this.
 
Well, lots of luck.
Towing a trailer will be fun.
Six miles per gallon, not counting generator fuel. Make sure you modify the TRiumph for trailer brakes, or you will have lots of fun stopping coming down from the Green Mountains or more local.
Remember, you can park your LBC about anywhere...but not with a trailer. Backing is always fun with a trailer, but do-able from a proper tow unit....much harder when the rear view mirrors are at wheel height.
You ain't gonna find a ready made tow unit for your car. Have fun making it solid on a unibody. You CAN do it.Think positive!
You get to upgrade electrics anyway to handle clearance lights, added brake and turn signals...then hope your Lucar connectors are up to the task.
It is smarter than adding AC to the car.
I recall a 1.9L Escort came into the shop a number of years ago with an odd problem. Customer said it kept slowing, then accelerating.
Road test showed that to be correct.
Stopwatch showed 18 seconds of normal, 15 seconds of slowing, 18 seconds of normal.

Took a couple of minutes of listening to see it was the AC compressor cutting in and out.
Button on the climate control (heater panel) for AC on or off. Checked. Button off, light off, was a bad relay or switch. Compressor engaged all the time, but cycling normally. You may find with your 1200 or so engine, the slowing and speeding up may be unacceptable to your senses.

If you're talking about one of those little bitty trailers that will hold maybe a push lawnmower, check reports on stability at 60 MPH. If you're talking a reversed wheelbarrow (one wheel), up your insurance...a bunch.

Wait....this isn't April First, is it?

Dave
 
Tom,

Something that you may consider are Cool Vests. Taks a look at these. Not too expensive. And no cutting, trailers or moving parts. Bring along a small cooler to refresh them if you're on a long drive.
Sorry I'm late getting into this thread. Have you considered insulating the firewall and floor boards?

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https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/p...1407-1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201407-1

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Good question PB. In Alabama from about May to the early part of October the humidity can be stiffling. Even an hour drive during the summer leaves you sweating like a Senator on election day. That puddle next to your car is not a leak. It's your sweat.

BOBH
 
Sounds like a lot of work and money for the 10 days we need AC around here.
 
I know it sounds odd, but small motorcycle trailers used in good condition are cheap, don't weigh much and are small in size. Check it out next time you see a Goldwing pulling one. I expect to be down south for 6-8 weeks, Don't need it, unhook it, pick it up when you do. I can't see that it's any more expensive than having an AC shop doing it with the issue of custom fabrication. A comment was made as to the impact on handling, Since I'm sightseeing I don't expect to be doing that much spirited driving. I have talked to the Company who makes the unit and apparently from what he tells me, this is not a new idea and has be done before
 
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