AC Compressor

A car without an AC in hot temperate regions cannot be even imagined. Having one is heavy on the pocket. Thus, it becomes an essential to go for periodical maintenance and adopt safety measures. The Ac compressor is a vital mechanism installed in the car and care should be taken for its longevity.

Uses:

Irrespective of any explanation, AC compressors have a vital role to play. It is the perfect and the only device which is used for cooling in hot climates. The compressor powers the air conditioning and maintains its regular functioning.

How it Works?

An AC compressor converts power using an electrical motor, gasoline or diesel. The compressor can be considered as the heart of the cars AC system as well as the pumping station.The device pumps refrigerant into the valves which is driven by a belt attached to an electromagnetic clutch. The low pressurised gas is then led to the high pressure inlets of the car. In more simpler term, the high pressure suction draws refrigerant gas from the inside of the car and compresses to such pressures which enable the gas to turn to liquid which in turn is sent to the condenser. The heat is then converted and blows into the car back again in the form of cool air. This entire process takes place in two sections of the compressor- the high pressure zone and the low pressure zone. Both work interchangeably to function properly. The compressors are of two types rotary piston which uses mechanical or roller mechanism and the scroll which is made of two spiral disks of different heights enabling up and down movement of the piston.

Maintenance:

Air conditioning of a car is a very sensitive area and it becomes very important to keep it in top shape. Repairing can be very costly and thus a proper scheduled checkup and a few precautionary measures will enable the parts to last long. The power of the compressor generally depends on the size of the car. There might be refrigerant leaks, electric clutch failures, overheating, internal mechanical faults and the general wear and tear due to friction. If there is not enough refrigerant, the situation might cause the compressor to explode due to high friction and centrifugal force and can prove to be fatal. Here are a few tips which can be adopted to avoid such mishaps and trouble:

• The compressor can be kept wrapped up with a clean cloth after disconnecting the power. This will keep it at normal temperature and avoid overheating or freezing.
• There should atleast be a minimum clearance space of two feet from the compressor. It is advisable to remove any kind of obstruction like leaves, twigs and other debris from the area of the compressor.
• Extreme summers with direct sunlight can be very harmful for the AC compressor. Engagement with the high pressure switch can prevent overheating.
• The air filter needs to be cleaned quite often to remove and clog due to contamination and dust. The same can be executed by a soft brush and a high pressure water hose. Care should be taken to dry the filter thoroughly before reinstallation.
• Leakage can be caused and thus it is best to check frequently the blower and clean it periodically with condenser oil.

A few measures if taken the right way will avoid a lot of hassles and save both money and time. Ac compressors should be taken as any other machine which might give rise to faulty results either due to technical lag or wear and tear with time. But the life of the compressor majorly depends on the handling and maintenance and thus should be taken into consideration on a serious note.