Air conditionning

[ChristianGodin]

Anyone have an idea of the weight of a factory instalked air conditioning system on a recent Ovation? In other word, what would be the weight gain if I would remove the air conditioning from a recent Ovation?

thank You

[Guest]

The system weight should be listed in the weight and balance and equipment list.

Clarence

[Robert C.]

My POH is in my aircraft but if memory serves it's around 60lbs.

Any idea what it would cost to remove it and whether it has resale value?

[ChristianGodin]

Anyone knows if there is a resale value for removed air conditioning from an ovation 2005?

[carusoam]

Christian,

You may want to post some photos if you can.

Compressor (engine mounted pump looking, up front), evaporator (heat exchanger looking, in the back), installation plumbing and various holes.  Cabin air system changes (the other heat exchanger).

there is an option price that you can probably find on the Mooney website.

LB Mooneys in TX and Fl would be good customers.  Using an MSC to help broker the deal may be helpful.  Removal and re-installation to keep it working.

This is based on old fuzzy memories of a PP.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[flyboy0681]

If I could have it installed in my J I'd buy all of the components on the spot. Until that happens, I'll continue to swelter.

 

 

[KSMooniac]

It might be worth a call to Mooney tech support to see if the installation drawings could be made applicable to a J.  I'd be very wary of the W&B implications, though.

FWIW, I'm a happy user of the B-Kool ice chest cooler.  It sure helps this time of year, and can obviously be left behind in the cooler months so no adverse W&B impact.

[XXX]

46 minutes ago, flyboy0681 said:

If I could have it installed in my J I'd buy all of the components on the spot. Until that happens, I'll continue to swelter.

 

 

Flyboy,

I have been using the Icy Breeze portable unit for my instrument training and it works great.  Here in the central part of the state it gets rather steamy. I load the ice before my PreFlight then turn the unit on before I pull out of the hangar. I get about 2 hours of continuous cooling on 30 pounds of ice. I keep the unit in the baggage area and route the duct over the rear seat. There is a remote shut off switch so you can conserve your ice while at altitude which should give you longer operating time.

[Jeff_S]

80 lbs for the A/C system in an Ovation. I don't see any way you could put this into a J, since it relies on driving the A/C compressor with a belt off the engine, and to my knowledge the Lycoming doesn't have that second belt drive. I could be wrong, but it seems you really need the power of the IO-550 to operate that thing.

[flyboy0681]

8 minutes ago, Jeff_S said:

80 lbs for the A/C system in an Ovation. I don't see any way you could put this into a J, since it relies on driving the A/C compressor with a belt off the engine, and to my knowledge the Lycoming doesn't have that second belt drive. I could be wrong, but it seems you really need the power of the IO-550 to operate that thing.

My feeling is, if it could be done somebody would have done it by now or there would be an STC retrofit.

[KSMooniac]

I forgot about the belt drive component... likely hard to shoe-horn that into a J cowl.  I suspect the factory hasn't pursued an aftermarket kit since the new prices would likely scare away all of us frugal J owners.  Only in the event of being able to purchase a take-out system at a substantial discount would it be attractive to many of us (IMO) but the Continental/Lycoming difference is likely a show-stopper.

I've heard quotes of 25 AMU to install an STC'd system into an A36 FWIW from the Beech world.  Like TKS, it is another add-on that is better to buy with an existing plane...

[Hank]

Has anyone else heard about an electric AC?

[Piloto]

4 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

If I could have it installed in my J I'd buy all of the components on the spot. Until that happens, I'll continue to swelter.

 

 

View it on the positive side. Sweating helps you loose weight. Drink one glass of icy cold water before flight. It works with me. But better than A/C is a pilot relief tube, good for summer and winter and is less than $50.

José

[flyboy0681]

32 minutes ago, Piloto said:

View it on the positive side. Sweating helps you loose weight. Drink one glass of icy cold water before flight. It works with me. But better than A/C is a pilot relief tube, good for summer and winter and is less than $50.

José

Jose, you have met me on many occasions. Do I look like I need to lose weight?

[Piloto]

1 hour ago, flyboy0681 said:

Jose, you have met me on many occasions. Do I look like I need to lose weight?

Now I know why you are slim, its the Mooney sweating. Who needs a sauna when you have a Mooney. Thanks for the tip.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Piloto

[Mooney13]

I bought a Mooney Ovation with A/C recently and went through the exact same thoughts. I Live in the NW and just don't need it a whole lot. I made some calls and looked at all the components ...It looks like a pretty hefty job for the things behind the batteries. I know there is some demand for some of the parts, but not sure the actual value.

It has been nice to have during taxi, run up and lower altitudes on warm days though...

I decided to just leave it alone for now. Let me know if you make some moves on removing and I'll do the same if I do..

 

Good luck!

 

[carusoam]

Flyboy, repost the beach pictures...

Flying a Mooney is clearly good for the health.  

 

Summary...

1) AC is a Complex installation...

2) IO550 specific (most likely).  Power and fit.

3) 60 LBs weight.

4) Northerners don't get much use out of it.

5) flying practice approaches with it would be beneficial no matter where you live.

Best regards,

-a-

[triple8s]

I have thought about airconditioning for quite a while and the factory air has a disadvantage being 

that it stays aboard all year long. I have an Ice box cooler but have wondered why a small portable ac unit powered by an inverter couldn't be used. An 8-10,000 btu unit weighs about 50 lbs and the inverters these days (another 10 lb or so) have become more powerful, enough to power just such a unit. It could also be removed when you didn't want the a/c. 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SPT-8-000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-WA-8070E/203288120

7.5 amp x 120vac  = 900 watt     

https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-SW1000-24-1000-Watt-Inverter/dp/B00153BE10/ref=sr_1_9?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1469878062&sr=1-9&keywords=24+vdc+power+inverter

Seems like to me it would work, and it could be removed when you didn't want it. It could be done in such a way that it is strapped down in the luggage bay, plumb the condensate into the battery vent tube, arrange a power connection, should be good to go right? 

 

[PTK]

The problem is 7.5 amps 120 vac is a whopping 83 amps in a 12 v dc system!

[triple8s]

 

37.5 @24VDC.......still a pretty high, thank goodness for the icebox cooler and a good climb rate.