Has there been any car air-con whose compressor is run electrically and not by the car's engine?

Question

A car air-con's compressor is run by the car's engine (by way of a fanbelt attached to it) which severely affects the engine's enficiency, responsiveness and power. This added strain have sometimes (if not oftentimes) contributed to the engine's overheating and/or performance. If only the aircon's compressor can be ran by the car's electricity, then that will be an ideal car airconditioner.

Answer 1

First off, it's not usually the extra load placed on the engine (pretty insignificant on a typical automobile engine) which causes a potential overheating concern, but rather the AC condenser located in front of the radiator which directly transfers the heat removed from the vehicle's interior to the intake side of the vehicle's radiator - often exceeding 200 degrees F.
As far as an electric motor, if we assume a modest 4 HP to drive a very efficient AC compressor, we will need approximately 3000 Watts to power up the electric motor that drives it. At 12 volts, that's 250 Amps continuous power consumed while the compressor is engaged - that's pretty near the same power it takes to crank the engine when starting, and if you've ever had to crank a hard starting, stubborn engine for any length of time - even with a battery in good condition - you know that after a short while, the battery gives up.
An alternator large enough to provide this current continuously would necessarily not be 100% eefficient and hence would draw more than the 4 HP needed to directly drive the compressor off the engine.
Your idea sounds good until the reality sets in - electrically driven components are not as efficient as directly driving them from the engine - without the necessary conversion of mechanical to electric back to mechanical energy transfers.

Answer 2

you will then choose one very great alternator to furnish each and all of the electrical energy required to potential the AC. a sturdy tough estimate is that an AC desires 5 horsepower to function. in case you have an alternator of that length it is going to likely be working in any respect situations and you'd be loading the engine even whilst the AC isn't working. With the present engine powered compressor layout a minimum of you are able to close the compressor off with a activate the sprint (you might have the potential to layout the comparable snatch gadget into the extra great alternator...?). you may think of roughly utilising thermoelectric coolers to grant AC yet they're very small and expensive on the 2d.

Answer 3

You are going to then need one very large alternator to supply all of the electricity required to power the AC.

A good rough estimate is that an AC needs 5 horsepower to function.

If you have an alternator of that size it will be running at all times and you will be loading the engine even when the AC is not running.

With the current engine powered compressor design at least you can shut the compressor off with a switch on the dash (you might be able to design the same clutch system into the extra large alternator...?).

You might think about using thermoelectric coolers to provide AC but they are very small and expensive at the moment.

Answer 4

But the electrical system is powered by the generator that does also put a strain on the engine, as a function of the electrical load.
There is no free energy, you know.