Components Of Car AC

January 10, 2023

COMPONENTS OF A CAR AC


Let’s learn about the components of car AC! A car AC works by all its AC parts working together to take refrigerate and change its state. For example, it will go from being a liquid to a gas and back to a drink again. While the refrigerant changes forms, it absorbs heat and humidity. This allows your car to cool down.

The first AC system to be put in a car was in 1940. The first to have a fully functioning AC system was the 1940 Packard. It was invented by the two Packard brothers, James and William. The Packard was made in Detroit, Michigan.


Pontiac and Nash were one of the first car companies to fit the whole ac system in the front of the car. As a result, the Nash company was able to combine the heating and cooling systems into the show as well! Before, people used to drive around with their ac systems in the trunk of their cars. This would limit their space and weigh down the back side of their vehicle.

Black limousine with hood up for repairs parked outside | Tedious Auto Repair

HERE ARE THE COMPONENTS OF CAR AIR CONDITIONER:

AC COMPRESSOR 

An AC compressor compresses the refrigerant inside your car. While the AC is being compressed, the refrigerant inside your vehicle has a chemical reaction that absorbs the heat and humidity. On average, an AC compressor should last you about 12 years. Change your air filter regularly to make it last as long as possible.
The first AC compressor was made in 1901. Willis H. Carrier was an American inventor who invented the AC compressor. The AC compressor was made in Geelong, Australia. The compressor was first put into cars in 1939. They have, since then, been put in all vehicles.
The Reciprocating Air Conditioner Compressor, Scroll Air Conditioning Compressor, Screw Air Conditioning Compressor, Rotary Air Conditioning Compressor, and Centrifugal Air Conditioning Compressor are all different kinds of ac compressors!
Light blue SUV Subaru with hood up, repairs on AC System in progress | Tedious Auto Repair

AC CONDENSER COMPONENTS OF CAR AC

A condenser’s job is to receive the high-pressure gasses released from the compressor. It then will convert the refrigerant gas back into a liquid! Then, your AC cycle can keep going! This system will repeat multiple times. A condenser will last you 15 to 20 years.

The first AC condenser was made in 1902. Willis Haviland Carrier invented it. Willis was an engineer who would often experiment with humidity control. He worked for a printing company before finding great success. He created the ac condenser in Cleveland, Ohio.

The different kinds of ac condensers are Air-cooled condensers, water-cooled condensers, and Combined air and water-cooled condensers. Water-cooled condensers use water for their cooling system. Air-cooled condensers use steam-condensed air that flows through the tubes to cool your car. And combined air cooling and water cooling systems use both!

EXPANSION VALVES 

Expansion valves will relieve some of the pressure from the refrigerant (liquid). They do this so that a chemical change can take place. After the pressure is released, the refrigerant will change into a gas. It will then be turned back into a liquid so the process can occur again.

Typically, expansion valves will last four to five years. But they can last anywhere from 10 years to 10 months. It depends! In August of 1927, the first expansion valves were made. Harry Thompson was the man who invented expansion valves.

The two different kinds of ac expansion valves are the thermostatic expansion valves and the automatic expansion valves. The automatic expansion valves are expansion valves that have never-ending pressure. Thermostatic expansion valves turn on when they have to be turned on.

Vehicle in our garage with hood up, repair in progress | Tedious Auto Repair

AC EVAPORATIVE CORE 

The evaporative core’s job is to help cool the car down first, It helps by cycling the refrigerant through the whole system! It helps convert hot air into the engine fan. This help to keep the car from overheating!

One of the main reasons AC systems tend to fail is leaks. If there is a leak in the evaporator coil, it ruins thE whole process. It will cause the whole system to fail! The life span you should expect for your evaporative core is aroundten0 years. But, in some cases, 15 years.

The first evaporative core was made in 1908. It was made for evaporative cooling systems! In 1939 the Packard brothers made the first automobile evaporative cooling core! It was put into the 1940 Packard. That car was the first car with a fully functioning AC system.

AC Compressor in car | Tedious Auto Repair

AC CONTROLS 

AC controls turn on and off your car’s AC system. Whether you’re turning a dial or pushing a button. Your AC controls change the temperature of your AC. It also changes the pressure of your AC. AC usually controls last about 50,000 cycles. That adds up to about 8 to 10 years.

In 1902 Willis Carrier invented AC controls. The 1964 Cadillac was the first car to have AC controls. It was called “Comfort cooling.” The driver would set the preferred temperature they like, and the vehicle would cool its heat to get to that temperature.

The different kinds of AC controls are temperature control, air stats, and humidity stats. There’s also how hard the air comes out of the vents and where it blows too! There are many different kinds of AC controls. All do other things to help regulate the temperature in your car!  Call us for all of your Chico auto repair needs!

AC ORIFICE TUBES 

Orifice tubes connect to the parts of the AC system and expand the refrigerant. Orifice tubes are like expansion valves but instead of regulating the temperature. Instead, it just moves the refrigerant throughout the AC system.

Many different orifice tubes do other things. The different kinds of orifice tubes are the thermostatic expansion valve, fixed orifice tube, and variable orifice valve. The thermostatic expansion valve controls how much refrigerant into the system evaporator. The fixed orifice tube separates the difference between high pressure and low pressure.

Most of the newer cars have orifice tubes. From the 2000s and up, you’ll most likely find orifice tubes or expansion valves in car AC systems! Orifice tubes don’t have an expiration date! They will need to be replaced when the rest of your ac system gets replaced!

Vehicle with hood up in garage | Tedious Auto Repair

AC ACCUMULATORS 

AC accumulators are like your AC systems safety blanket. Accumulators protect the parts in your AC system. They will help ensure a longer life for your compressor, condenser, and more! They also help hold moisture! It’s crucial to have water in your AC system. The humidity helps everything run more smoothly, mainly because your refrigerant is a liquid!

On average, accumulators last 10 to 15 years. Sometimes, 20 years. It should last you this if the proper maintenance takes place. Like, they are replacing the balder seas, and more. There are a couple of different kinds of accumulators. Some of them are the weight-loaded piston accumulator, diaphragm (or bladder) accumulator, spring accumulator, and hydro-pneumatic piston accumulator.

The weight-loaded piston type creates constant fluid pressure for the AC. Diaphragm types handlhigh-pressure ratios. Fluid will enter the spring accumulator,r and help compress it using solid hydraulic energy. The hydro-pneumatic piston produces an increased output thrust.

AC PRESSURE SWITCHES ANOTHER COMPONENT OF CAR AC


AC pressure switches to control and monitors the pressure in your car’s AC system. Like, the refrigerant! For example, the force is used to change the state of the refrigerant. The pressure switches are located on the air cooling system’s high and low sides.


There are two different kinds of pressure switches. Mechanical and electrical. Electrical pressure switches are the most common. Electrical pressure switches measure the vehicle’s fluid levels. It will then send light to your car’s dash.


Pressure switches should last your car, on average, about two to three years. If your water pressure is above or at the point that it should be turned off and hasn’t, your pressure switches should most likely be replaced.

WHERE CAN I GET AC REPAIRED? Components Of Car AC

Tedious Repairs has been fixing ACs for over 15 years. They offer AC repair for all makes and models! Since 2007 Tedious Repairs has been offering the Chico community the high-quality automotive services they need.

Here at Tedious Repairs, we offer everything AC repair-related that you may need. Here are some of our service options: AC compressor replacement, Evaporative core repair, Condenser replacement, and much more! So if you need any AC repair, bring your car down today!

 

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