A/C sucks power

[Nick K]

I know the A/C draws power from the engine and decreases your gas mileage. Does any one know how much power the A/C draws from the truck. When I have mine on I can hardly get up and go. And the radiator temp goes way up

 

[ilikedellcomputers]

Sheesh I can sure vouch for the power loss, my OHV has a hell of a problem when I turn the A/C on. When I gun it at a green light, it takes a minute for the thing to get going! I usually drive with the sunroof open, the windows down, and the radio blasting, so the A/C really doesn't get used, but when it does... "Run for the hills Maude Barker"!

Regards,

ilikedellcomputers

 

[Alec]

The A/C pulley on the serpentine belt shouldn't suck more than 5-10 hp off the motor. However, it can run the engine a little hotter because the truck can't use the heater core when it needs to to cool off a little extra.

 

[Nick K]

My truck has the biggest problem at stop lights. When I have the A/C on when its real hot the car goes Vooooon and slowly picks up, turn the A/C off and it's fine ...

Does any one know why the a/c compressor kicks on and off while the engines running and the A/C is off.

 

[IgotTwo]

I want to know what furtile mind designed the A\C on my 97 to go on at every setting but "Heat" (and "OFF") !
I always liked the A\C on\off button. I felt more in control and and turned the A\C when I wanted to ... not when some Ford Design Engineer thinks I should.

 

[Nick K]

But......
Be careful even on the 91-94 explorers if you select defrost it runs the A/C automatically to dehumidify the air, even with out the knob pushed out

 

[TDG]

You havent by any chance used one of those do-it-yourself AC kits you find in the stores have you?

 

[Goober]

What I was told about that was,... engineer's designed them to run more than just when the AC was on to prevent the seals from drying out. You don't use them during the winter so the seals don't get the use they need to stay flexable. Then when summer gets here, the seals are hard and brittle and the freon has escaped. It does rob some power, but I think it is a necessary evil to prolong your AC system.

 

[IgotTwo]

That does seem to make a lotta sense. I think there is a temp sensor also. ie the A\C doesn't go on below a certain temp ( like in very cold) I thought I read that in the manual.

I only kick on the A\C at low RPMs, its an old habit from when the the compressor and the water pump were on the same belt. The water pump always took the shock when the clutches engaged. Replace a pump or two and you got the message.

I think it still makes sense to be merciful on the A|C clutch.

 

[espnfreak]

how cold does the ac air get and how cold will the car get when you jack the ac down and let it flow out? 50 degrees?