I acquired a Cozy Cab for my 430 that I recently "restored" with some modern upgrades. I added 20% tint, front and rear light bars as well as rewired the interior of the cab functions.
The main reason I had gotten the cab was for the winter but I decided to look into options for if I wanted to go an a/c route. So this is what I had concluded and decided to do.
I looked into running a compressor and all the typical components as you would find in a car. I found that it would require a lot of modification to be able to adapt the compressor and accessories to the tractor. In doing this I found a typical a/c compressor from a normal car uses about 5hp to function. Which in for a car that isn't much but for a 20hp tractor its 25% which is a lot. Not considering finding the compatible components and running all the necessary wiring (Maybe a bigger alternator), the hoses (requires a vacuum pump to put R124a in it) and everything else. This option was off the table.
My next option was a rooftop RV unit. Looking into this it would be a good idea, mount to the roof, wire it up, good to go. My problem here is 1 its almost $1500 for a used model let alone one that fits the roof of the cab. My other problem with this is that it would take a lot of power. So this would require swapping the factor 35amp alt with a larger one from a car. This again would take away from the HP of the tractor but an unknown amount due to the size of the alternator needed. I also would most likely need to increase the battery size or an additional one for long run times. So needless to say this was out of the picture as well.
My third option was the typical window a/c and an inverter. This sounds easy but again, I do not believe the alternator would be able to supply the inverter with enough juice to power the 120v window a/c. I looked for smaller then 5k btu units but to no prevail. Plus I would have to make an additional or modify the existing rear glass which I do not plan on doing.
After looking countlessly online I came across a company in China (Yes, I know China). However they are the only company that makes a small ~1500 btu a/c unit that is tiny and it runs off 12v. So looking more into this I realized it draws about 450w which is about 8 amps. Now as I mentioned before the alternator runs about 35 and I can't imagine with my 430 diesel it would draw any more due to it being diesel. So I think I found a perfect solution for my "A/C problem".
My next issue is where to put it. After impatiently waiting 10 days for it to come across the ocean I finally received it. My original plan was to mount it to the rear or half and half through the rear window to keep the evaporator and heat exchanger in and outside the cab. Needless to say this idea does not work. The condenser box is too large and would either hit my head or my back. So back to the drawing board. I then decided I wanted to try and mount it next to the fuel inlet. Thinking this would be out of the way, low enough to see through the rear window and still be able to push and pull air inside the cab. Well that idea doesn't work either as it would get in the way of the 3 point. So my last option was the roof. Which is the route I decided to take.
The dimensions of the box are roughly 14x10x7. Tiny as I said before. My problem now is the garage door to my house. As I plan to build a garage in the future this was a concern and a problem for me. As you can see in the pictures the inlet and outlet are on the top. With an elbow they would be dangerously close to hitting my garage door. I have about 9" clear from the roof of the cab to the top of the garage door opening. So I have decided to modify my "brand" new a/c condenser enclosure to better fit my needs.
This is where I am now with the design process. Since I had modeled my cab in Fusion 360, I am able to model the a/c and make a cover for it. I have sent over the dxf files to my local metal shop where I plan to have them cut it on a laser and bend it. (This will save me the struggle and frustration down the road)
As I progress with the install and pipe routing I will try to upload more photos as for now this is what I have.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you think all this effort is worth it, or should I just have taken the doors off?
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Thanks!
The main reason I had gotten the cab was for the winter but I decided to look into options for if I wanted to go an a/c route. So this is what I had concluded and decided to do.
I looked into running a compressor and all the typical components as you would find in a car. I found that it would require a lot of modification to be able to adapt the compressor and accessories to the tractor. In doing this I found a typical a/c compressor from a normal car uses about 5hp to function. Which in for a car that isn't much but for a 20hp tractor its 25% which is a lot. Not considering finding the compatible components and running all the necessary wiring (Maybe a bigger alternator), the hoses (requires a vacuum pump to put R124a in it) and everything else. This option was off the table.
My next option was a rooftop RV unit. Looking into this it would be a good idea, mount to the roof, wire it up, good to go. My problem here is 1 its almost $1500 for a used model let alone one that fits the roof of the cab. My other problem with this is that it would take a lot of power. So this would require swapping the factor 35amp alt with a larger one from a car. This again would take away from the HP of the tractor but an unknown amount due to the size of the alternator needed. I also would most likely need to increase the battery size or an additional one for long run times. So needless to say this was out of the picture as well.
My third option was the typical window a/c and an inverter. This sounds easy but again, I do not believe the alternator would be able to supply the inverter with enough juice to power the 120v window a/c. I looked for smaller then 5k btu units but to no prevail. Plus I would have to make an additional or modify the existing rear glass which I do not plan on doing.
After looking countlessly online I came across a company in China (Yes, I know China). However they are the only company that makes a small ~1500 btu a/c unit that is tiny and it runs off 12v. So looking more into this I realized it draws about 450w which is about 8 amps. Now as I mentioned before the alternator runs about 35 and I can't imagine with my 430 diesel it would draw any more due to it being diesel. So I think I found a perfect solution for my "A/C problem".
My next issue is where to put it. After impatiently waiting 10 days for it to come across the ocean I finally received it. My original plan was to mount it to the rear or half and half through the rear window to keep the evaporator and heat exchanger in and outside the cab. Needless to say this idea does not work. The condenser box is too large and would either hit my head or my back. So back to the drawing board. I then decided I wanted to try and mount it next to the fuel inlet. Thinking this would be out of the way, low enough to see through the rear window and still be able to push and pull air inside the cab. Well that idea doesn't work either as it would get in the way of the 3 point. So my last option was the roof. Which is the route I decided to take.
The dimensions of the box are roughly 14x10x7. Tiny as I said before. My problem now is the garage door to my house. As I plan to build a garage in the future this was a concern and a problem for me. As you can see in the pictures the inlet and outlet are on the top. With an elbow they would be dangerously close to hitting my garage door. I have about 9" clear from the roof of the cab to the top of the garage door opening. So I have decided to modify my "brand" new a/c condenser enclosure to better fit my needs.
This is where I am now with the design process. Since I had modeled my cab in Fusion 360, I am able to model the a/c and make a cover for it. I have sent over the dxf files to my local metal shop where I plan to have them cut it on a laser and bend it. (This will save me the struggle and frustration down the road)
As I progress with the install and pipe routing I will try to upload more photos as for now this is what I have.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you think all this effort is worth it, or should I just have taken the doors off?
Thanks!
