Kuhlmeister a/c

[mdsalemi]

My friend is [going to be] recharging the Kuhlmeister a/c on a 230SL.  Anyone know the capacity of refrigerant?

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[George Des]

It is best to fill these using a set of pressure gauges and exactly how much will  depend upon whether you use R12 or R134A. Mine uses the R134A and generally it will take about 1-1/2 small cans to fill it and arrive at the correct pressure--about 60-70 -high/low- or so with the engine and a/c off. I also have a high efficiency, parallel flow condensor. When idling and a/c on it usually goes to about 35 low side and about 180 or even higher on the high side depending upon the temperature. Make sure the system has a high/low pressure cutoff switch in-line to the dryer--this will prevent the compressor from running without enough pressure and shutting it off when the pressure gets too high, thus preventing damage to the compressor and/or hoses. I would recommend switching to a rotary compressor if not done so already. The system will put out more cooling power with considerably less drag on the engine--not to mention the considerably less vibration and resultant wear and tear on the engine/belts, etc. Make sure agood vacuum is pulled for about a half hour if the system was opened for any reason.

George Des

[ja17]

Hello George,
I remember a little more than that to fill, however George is correct that using guages will take out the guess work.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[George Des]

Hi Joe,

I believe you're right, it may have been 2-1/2 cans or so. Like I said though,I use the pressure gauges and quit when it hits the right pressures. I know it fills with a lot less than what I would have thought. I've been running my system the past few nights--high 80s with about 85% humidity--with the soft top up and with the set up I have, it will freeze you out of the car, and this is on R-134A. Have figured out how to control my blower speed now, but will have to take apart again to wire in a new switch. The SPAL replacement blower is a three speed blower, but I'm planning on wiring in a rheostat type rotary switch to provide an infite number of speeds between off and full.

George Des

[ja17]

Good deal George,
Where did you get the bracket for the rotary compressor anyway?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[George Des]

Joe,

My compressor bracket is made from 1/4" plate steel.  The alternator is mounted in its normal position and the compressor is up top. I made this up looking at the Bud's Benz style bracket. Mine is very similar but I made several mods so I did not have to "cut" any water lines as you have to with the Bud's version. Got the idea from a picture Jerry Pyles sent along to me. I had the origila bracket to mount the compressor down low but never could resolve all the pulley requirements to do that--mine is a 230SL and has only one pulley slot on the water pump. I got the extra crank pulley from you and it worked out great! System works well and the bracket provides enough clearances to change and adjust all the belts when required. Tried to send along some pictures to show you, but my JPEG files are too large. Anyone know how to shrink them so I can send?

George Des

[Naj ✝︎]

George,
This resizer works for me:

http://www.virtualzone.biz/files/?product=resizer

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[George Des]

Naj,

Can't get the link to work right,

George Des

[Naj ✝︎]

Sorry, George,

I down-loaded it maybe 2 years ago.
Don't know what the asnswer is now.

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[hands_aus]

Windows comes with a Paint program.
Look in 'Start/All Programs/Accessories/Paint'
Open your .jpeg in there and then look for 'Image/StretchSkew'
A small window opens and you can "Stretch" the picture from 100% to say 50% or 25%
You have to "Stretch" it on both axes the same amount.

Save the Pic with a different name so that your original is not changed.

Let us know how you go.

Bob Smith
Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[George Des]

Joe,

Picture of my a/c bracket and set up showing compressor and aftermarkey parallel flow condensor

Download Attachment: ac system post.JPG
19.78 KB

Download Attachment: ac system condensor.JPG
39.2 KB

Download Attachment: ac system front.JPG
47.66 KB