Prestige AC system

81
I know these guys will fit a brand spanking new system -if you have between $4000 and $5000 to spend. I've seen photos of their fitted systems and they look cool - don't know if they are cool, but apparently so:

Cheers Murray 


Sent from my iPad

On 22/11/2012, at 12:59 PM, "plander@optusnet.com.au" <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

 

I drove a lot of T3s when they were brand new and never had success with the Aussie a/c units. The genuine overhead ones worked fine.

Phill

> Scott Daniel - Turbovans <ScottDaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
> In case people are not aware ..
> some people fit in-dash AC also, so there are frontand rear cold air
> outputs.
> the common system to use for this is the Behr system, that came on some
> Vanagons.
>
> my 85 high top T3 Adventurewagon has it in the dash ...like where the
> glove box is, which in my case is on the right side of the van's dash
> area.
> T3 Vanagon AC is generally recognized to be only so-so in serious
> ambient heatfrom what I gather.
>
> scott
> turbovans
>
> On 11/21/2012 4:20 PM, Ken Garratt wrote:
> >
> > Hi Francesca,
> > Yurik in Perth has previously reported here his success in remediating
>
> > the Prestige AC system, which has kept me interested to attempt a
> > "rebirth" on mine ever since.
> > Logic concludes the two front occupants would benefit most, with the
> > front passenger the most smug.
> > Most adults would wisely concur that for the kids in the rear, it's
> > character building!
> > Leaves me wondering though all the same, if the Prestige AC system was
>
> > all that bad, how the heck did so many buyers agree to have it fitted?
>
> > Did no one try it before they bought it?
> >
> > As a reminder, please read attached file, some past forum comments on
> > the Prestige AC system topic.
> >
> > I live in hope! Cheers.
> >
> > Ken
> >
> >
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: fcoles6@gmail.com
> > Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:16:09 +1100
> > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Idler pulley
> >
> > Hi Ken,
> >
> > Precisely nothing has been done to remediate our dodgy Prestige
> > air-con, mostly because I have understood from other people that it is
>
> > fundamentally a shonky affair. If anyone begs to differ they can
> > correct me, though. Living in these southern climes and not utilising
> > the Syncro as a daily driver, we don't have quite the motivation to
> > get the air-con up and running that others might. I do feel sorry for
> > the kids in the back when it gets on the warm side, though.
> >
> > Francesca.
> >
> >
> >
> >

82
Hi Ken,

You would have to remove 5 screws (covered by a plastic cap) , to be able to lift off the cover.  The foam "airflow restrictor" might just be

dirty. Good luck. And let us know what you found.

Hartmut




On 22/11/2012, at 10:18 PM, Ken Garratt wrote:

 

Hi Hartmut,

Sounds interesting ... worth checking out.

What needs to be removed to get a look at the foam screen?

Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: hartis@live.com.au
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:47:01 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] RE: Prestige AC system

 

With the Prestige system I found it to be a great improvement to remove that foam screen from the evaporator (that being the the heat exchanger on top of the dash) . I did not know what that foam
blocking the airflow, was for, but BenT had the answer. He told me it has been installed to prevent  snow from coming out. Now who would object to that ???? Anyway, the system in my Trakka works
almost perfectly, no complains here. Btw, I still had some R12 refrigerant which I am using in the system. I also replaced that Prestige contraption of a bracket holding the compressor (7kg) and replaced it with an original one, also from BenT $ 100.-- , worth every dime.

Hart







On 22/11/2012, at 6:40 PM, Gullyraker@aol.com wrote:

 
  When I bought my Syncro the previous owner threw in a Prestige system that he bought from Beetle Spares. They had removed it from a 2WD caravelle. He never got around to fitting it, and neither have I.

  As well as the standard condensor that fits under the dashboard, it has another huge condensor that fits neatly under the floor between the chassis rails on the driver's side, with the plumbing and outlet which appears to fit under the rear passenger seat.

  It includes a large electric fan, separate controls for the rear, and all the plumbing and bracketry.

  It fits neatly under the floor without reducing ground clearance.

  The rest of the system, including the compressor, is standard Prestige.

  It looks like it should work well, because of the massive condensor, but I never installed it. I rarely carry passengers in the back.

  It's up for grabs if anyone wants it, for a reasonable price, to get it out of the shed.

  As for enlarging the dashboard outlets, I would give that some serious thought.

  If it was that easy, it would have been done by the manufacturer.

Range Rover vents, for example, are smaller near the condensor [passenger's side] and get larger toward the extremities. This is to force cool air across the whole width of the dashboard. Otherwise the passenger get's all the benefit, and the driver none.

                                                                                     Roger [Beetle].






83
Hi Hartmut,
Ok is this a simpler check?
Directing a torch in through the second from the left louvred cool air vent ... there is no foam blanket visible anywhere at all. Is this where it would normally be located? Or am I missing something?
Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: hartis@live.com.au
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:13:12 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] RE: Prestige AC system

 

Hi Ken,

You would have to remove 5 screws (covered by a plastic cap) , to be able to lift off the cover.  The foam "airflow restrictor" might just be

dirty. Good luck. And let us know what you found.

Hartmut




On 22/11/2012, at 10:18 PM, Ken Garratt wrote:

 

Hi Hartmut,

Sounds interesting ... worth checking out.

What needs to be removed to get a look at the foam screen?

Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: hartis@live.com.au
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:47:01 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] RE: Prestige AC system

 

With the Prestige system I found it to be a great improvement to remove that foam screen from the evaporator (that being the the heat exchanger on top of the dash) . I did not know what that foam
blocking the airflow, was for, but BenT had the answer. He told me it has been installed to prevent  snow from coming out. Now who would object to that ???? Anyway, the system in my Trakka works
almost perfectly, no complains here. Btw, I still had some R12 refrigerant which I am using in the system. I also replaced that Prestige contraption of a bracket holding the compressor (7kg) and replaced it with an original one, also from BenT $ 100.-- , worth every dime.

Hart







On 22/11/2012, at 6:40 PM, Gullyraker@aol.com wrote:

 
  When I bought my Syncro the previous owner threw in a Prestige system that he bought from Beetle Spares. They had removed it from a 2WD caravelle. He never got around to fitting it, and neither have I.

  As well as the standard condensor that fits under the dashboard, it has another huge condensor that fits neatly under the floor between the chassis rails on the driver's side, with the plumbing and outlet which appears to fit under the rear passenger seat.

  It includes a large electric fan, separate controls for the rear, and all the plumbing and bracketry.

  It fits neatly under the floor without reducing ground clearance.

  The rest of the system, including the compressor, is standard Prestige.

  It looks like it should work well, because of the massive condensor, but I never installed it. I rarely carry passengers in the back.

  It's up for grabs if anyone wants it, for a reasonable price, to get it out of the shed.

  As for enlarging the dashboard outlets, I would give that some serious thought.

  If it was that easy, it would have been done by the manufacturer.

Range Rover vents, for example, are smaller near the condensor [passenger's side] and get larger toward the extremities. This is to force cool air across the whole width of the dashboard. Otherwise the passenger get's all the benefit, and the driver none.

                                                                                     Roger [Beetle].







84
Yes, that is a simpler check for anybody having a Prestige system. But you can't really see if it is dirty but at least you CAN see if it's there ! At least something. 
Much more air coming through without that restriction.
Ciao Hartmut




On 23/11/2012, at 11:13 AM, Ken Garratt wrote:

 

Hi Hartmut,
Ok is this a simpler check?
Directing a torch in through the second from the left louvred cool air vent ... there is no foam blanket visible anywhere at all. Is this where it would normally be located? Or am I missing something?
Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: hartis@live.com.au
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:13:12 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] RE: Prestige AC system

 

Hi Ken,

You would have to remove 5 screws (covered by a plastic cap) , to be able to lift off the cover.  The foam "airflow restrictor" might just be

dirty. Good luck. And let us know what you found.

Hartmut




On 22/11/2012, at 10:18 PM, Ken Garratt wrote:

 

Hi Hartmut,

Sounds interesting ... worth checking out.

What needs to be removed to get a look at the foam screen?

Cheers.
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: hartis@live.com.au
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:47:01 +1100
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] RE: Prestige AC system

 

With the Prestige system I found it to be a great improvement to remove that foam screen from the evaporator (that being the the heat exchanger on top of the dash) . I did not know what that foam
blocking the airflow, was for, but BenT had the answer. He told me it has been installed to prevent  snow from coming out. Now who would object to that ???? Anyway, the system in my Trakka works
almost perfectly, no complains here. Btw, I still had some R12 refrigerant which I am using in the system. I also replaced that Prestige contraption of a bracket holding the compressor (7kg) and replaced it with an original one, also from BenT $ 100.-- , worth every dime.

Hart







On 22/11/2012, at 6:40 PM, Gullyraker@aol.com wrote:

 
  When I bought my Syncro the previous owner threw in a Prestige system that he bought from Beetle Spares. They had removed it from a 2WD caravelle. He never got around to fitting it, and neither have I.

  As well as the standard condensor that fits under the dashboard, it has another huge condensor that fits neatly under the floor between the chassis rails on the driver's side, with the plumbing and outlet which appears to fit under the rear passenger seat.

  It includes a large electric fan, separate controls for the rear, and all the plumbing and bracketry.

  It fits neatly under the floor without reducing ground clearance.

  The rest of the system, including the compressor, is standard Prestige.

  It looks like it should work well, because of the massive condensor, but I never installed it. I rarely carry passengers in the back.

  It's up for grabs if anyone wants it, for a reasonable price, to get it out of the shed.

  As for enlarging the dashboard outlets, I would give that some serious thought.

  If it was that easy, it would have been done by the manufacturer.

Range Rover vents, for example, are smaller near the condensor [passenger's side] and get larger toward the extremities. This is to force cool air across the whole width of the dashboard. Otherwise the passenger get's all the benefit, and the driver none.

                                                                                     Roger [Beetle].