Air con temperature Legacy

[gcleeton]

Please what is the correct air temperature in the dashboard vent stream with air con on full if outdoor temp is 80F would you say?

Gil

[gcleeton]

By the way the question is for 96 and 99 Legacies. Gil

[97subaruGT]

Umm.i think around 40 or so

[fastwgn286]

umm...cold....

 

why?

[gcleeton]

When i topped them up a few weeks ago the outside temp was 60 and the blower vent temp dropped to 40.

Now outside temp is 80 and blower vent temp is only 60.

This applies to both cars.

Is that normal?

Gil

[avk]

Use a gauge set and read the pressures. It may still be undercharged. Pressures at both ports are important. Also do not rely on those color-band gauges from "recharge" kits.

[Commuter]

I have a 97 OB and the a/c has never been stellar in it.

 

IIRC, about a 20F temperature drop is all that I get.

 

FYI

 

Commuter

[Subaru_for_LIfe]

According to friend of mine who's an A/C technician, an A/C in good working order should be able to drop the temperature of the air by 15-20F*. But if you keep it on recycle and have good insulation and no direct sun light, it should get colder and colder.

[fastwgn286]

you should only need a 20 degree drop anyways. as much as i like my car feeling like a refridgerator, i dont need 40 degree interior temps in 80 degree weather. but the way it works is it cools the air going in the system, so twenty degree drop across the board looks pretty reasonable and makes sense.

 

if you want to keep the cabin cooler: tint windows, avoid direct sun, etc.

[avk]

The temperatures at the outlet grilles (as in the original question) and in the interior are two different things.

[Subaru_for_LIfe]

The temperatures at the outlet grilles (as in the original question) and in the interior are two different things.

 

I think that's what everyone was trying to say, the air temp. at the A/C vent should be 15-20*F less than the ambient temp. inside the vehicle assuming it's on recycle mode. But only up to a point of course.

[fastwgn286]

give us a break with symantics. we is not good ritters hear.....

[gbhrps]

Did this just today. 16 year old Nissan 300ZX toy was blowing hot air. Two recharge cans later, and with a thermometer in the centre vent, the reading was 61 degrees F, outside was 92 degrees F. Seemed just about ideal to me, considering how hot and sticky it was here in Southern Ontario. Put the toy away and got in the 02 OBW and (both cars are heavily tinted) couldn't help but notice that the OBW AC was blowing much colder than the 90 ZX, at least by another 10 - 15 degrees colder. That would put its output at about 45 degrees F from the vents, again in 90 degree weather. I suspect that my ZX needs to be updated to the newer legal refrigerants to get it any colder.

[fastwgn286]

stick another thermometer in there. 2002 OB might push more air than a 1990 ZX, and you felt a wind chill effect goin' on. but do it tomorrow, its kinda night time....

[avk]

give us a break with symantics. we is not good ritters hear.....

If the outlet temperature is 20F below ambient, it may not be enough to be comfortable, even according to your own standard.

Add: see the post right after yours to see what the outlet temperatures should be, 30-40 below ambient is about right.

[gcleeton]

Thanks for all your advice.

On both my cars I can only get, at the vent with full blower speed, 20F below the outside air temp, that is 40 if outside is 60 and 60 if outside is 80.

What do you mean by 'recycled' - do you mean with 'interior car' button pushed in?

Gil

[johnceggleston]

another thought, moving more air across the cooling element will not necessarily decrease the temp. it will produce colder air if the fan is moving slower, more time to cool the air; it will cool the car faster if the fan is moving faster. you will have a colder vent if the fan is on low, less air it has to cool.

 

Thanks for all your advice.

On both my cars I can only get, at the vent with full blower speed, 20F below the outside air temp, that is 40 if outside is 60 and 60 if outside is 80.

What do you mean by 'recycled' - do you mean with 'interior car' button pushed in?

Gil