Global Warming and Deuce Air

[3dAngus]

For the last ten days we have had near and above 100 degree weather and no rain for two months.
For the next ten days, we will be having near and above 100 degree weather. People rarely believe me when I tell them Middle Ga.
summers are hotter than Fl. Orlando, for instance, while not on the coast even, is running 5 degrees cooler over this ten day period.
I am iust below what is called the Piedmont area, where this flatter land was under the ocean 10 million years ago.
This is record setting in Middle Georgia for Man/June. Anyway, on to the question.

I hope to be buying my first deuce soon. Money is finally at hand.
I was wondering if anyone recently has added air conditioning under the dash on a deuce. I have seen some roof air threads and one where the dash was cut out about 5 years ago using search, but nothing recent with newer materials and newer freons.

Has anyone added air conditioning to their deuce under the dash lately. If so, please chime in. Or, if you have any comments/suggestions, please feel free to chime in there also.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

We're now on our sixth consecutive day of 100+F temps.

I turned on the Deuce's A/C a few weeks ago - I took the top off.

Advantages to this GI Issue A/C : it runs 24/7 and never wastes fuel.

 

[whyme]

i have seen many try but it always seems cost prohibitive. red dot kits are available and i have seen one installed in a deuce (pics only) but there is quite a few obstetricals to over come. insulating the cab to yeild any effectiveness is in itself a huge problem, beyond that mounting the pump and condenser, and of course the evaporator, fan, and ducting. the kit i saw had a setup similar to the newer 5 tons with the evaporator and fan mounted under the seat.

i might add that simply closing up the gaps in the firewall and transition hump would do alot to help heat management

 

[dodgedougak]

There is a well thought of outfit that makes custom AC for hotrods and vintage cars. It is called Vintage Air (I think). They specialize in making kits that fit into old cars with a minimum of trouble and that don't ruin the collector look. I have no idea of what they might say, but they could be worth a call. This would be a whole new market for them. Maybe they would give you a price break for being their development mule for the MV hobby!

 

[Truckoholic]

It was still snowing here less than a week ago!!! I'm so bloody sick and tired of cold wet weather I could puke! And here you guys have had really hot dry weather for months! And I'm in California where I'm supposed to own a surf board and go surfing every day.

I am not familiar with putting A/C in a deuce, and I just wonder if the cab would even be anywhere near air tight enough for it to be effective. But I know there are A/C add on units that I have seen in the past for people to put in their cars. The components of an A/C system aren't too incredibly complicated, so I could see it being done, as long as you have a spot on the engine to run the compressor, and if you allready had the heater on your deuce and could modify the part with the heater core, to also accept the A/C evaporator, then you could use the same ducting and blower.

Car Air Conditioning Specialists - Air con recharge, aircon parts, regassing, service, compressors, condensers

 

[jasonjc]

They just had snow in Hawaii last week. They were using there surf boards for snow boards

 

[AceHigh]

I have been thinking of this. I think if I go through with it I will buy a RigMaster APU. It does AC, heat, generator (could power house in an emergency) and charges the batteries.

I think used they are under $2500. Yup, just checked a popular auction site and there is one listed. I bet that would be easier and cheaper then rigging one up from scratch.

 

[3dAngus]

There is a well thought of outfit that makes custom AC for hotrods and vintage cars. It is called Vintage Air (I think). They specialize in making kits that fit into old cars with a minimum of trouble and that don't ruin the collector look. I have no idea of what they might say, but they could be worth a call. This would be a whole new market for them. Maybe they would give you a price break for being their development mule for the MV hobby!

Thanks Dodgedoug,

I have taken you up on the suggestion and written the following email to their sales department. It will be interesting to hear their response. I contiinue to look forward to more responses to the question. All comments are solicited.


"I am running this inquiry for the hundreds to thousands of Military Vehicle enthusiasts around the country. Thousands of Military vehicles are being sold by govt. and picked up by enthusiasts where most states now have their own clubs and memberships within the state, as well as a national organization.

One of the most popular vehicles today is the Deuce and a Half, or the M35A2 and M35A3 series. They do have a tendency to get hot, not only due to inclement weather outside, but also due to heat excaping up through the firewall. MV owners are sealing the firewall better today with insulation and rubber matting to cover. Other issues include window seals leaking and air leaks from screw holes and other common practices associated with military field modifications. All in all, most of these problems can be fixed for the most part, though they will never be sealed as well as a modern day car.

The military vehicles are mostly 24vdc systems. One alternator charges two heavy duty 6TL batteries rated at high current output and 12vdc apiece. There are issues in balanced recharging when trying to tap into just one 12vdc battery with power needs, resulting in one of the batteries having less useful life than the other. One such instance is tapping into one 12vdc battery for auxillary lighting, where the generator puts out sufficient power but the batteries will soon suffer with the auxillary tap, and a normal 5 year battery might last two years.

Do you make 24vdc, under the dash, air conditioner systems? Placement for a Deuce and a Half could be under the seat, need not be under the dash. Auxillary cooling would be a plus in this vastly growing market of MV ownership.

With your permission, your response will be published on the net for all to see. There are other enthusiasts interested in your response to the question. Individuals have done this before with rooftop air, and in dash air at great trouble. Any negative response, meaning a response of "no interest", will not, nor would it ever be taken in a negative light by any of our members.

I appreciate your time in this matter. I look forward to a response. I will send a picture of a M35 deuce for your convenience. It would be especially helpful for any member of your team who has no prior military experience.

Thanks again.

Dell Emerson
Perry, Ga."

 

[Barrman]

Read Devilman's huge epic thread about building his M35. He struggled with an A/C install. It worked, I saw it at the 2007 GA Rally even.

However, it comes down to how much are you going to drive the truck and need a/c. Compared to spending the same money on a factory a/c equiped vehicle. You might be suprised at what all has to be done and spent to make the M35 cold inside.

I thought about it. Then, in 2008 Kwai and I drove a M109 600 miles one day in 105° plus temps. All windows and vents closed, front windshield open. I was comfortable and not hot at speeds above 30 mph all day long. Didn't even sweat out any of my clothes.

If all you are going to use the Duece for is running errands in town, you are going to be getting out in the heat enough that you will be hot all the time no matter what you drive. Long drives, then the M35 with proper window placement will keep you comfortable.

We have had 12 days above 100° so far this spring. The first 3-5 minutes in any vehicle is going to be hot. No matter how it is equiped. Pouring money, time and effort to try and fit something into a vehicle that has no room for it might not be worth the effort.

Just my thought.

 

[3dAngus]

The Rigmaster APU has potential to solve many problems, especially for those campers.
It has air, heat, and power. What a beautiful package. I wonder how well serviced a vehicle like these deuces would be with a 270CFM output. Looks like it will run all night without having to run the deuce. I also wonder how easily it could be moved to a M101/5 series trailer to cool it down (or heat it) for camping in. I like it. Am researching more on it. If you come up with anything else on it, please let us all know.

http://www.rigmasterpower.com/tour.php

And thanks Barrman. I read the thread. It was an inspiration for newer technologies and updating the prospect of AC in a deuce today.
I would never do something like what he did, though I admire him for what he did. I'm more of a simple guy who values his time, and would rather write a check, or do a simple tasking like the rigmaster comprehensive system listed above.

 

[pnishr]

Anybody consider a 24v inverter and a small window unit... placed on the roof.. could probably accomplish for $500 total plus some creative work to box in the unit and waterproof everything.

 

[AceHigh]

Anybody consider a 24v inverter and a small window unit... placed on the roof.. could probably accomplish for $500 total plus some creative work to box in the unit and waterproof everything.

No problem when sitting, not enough cold when rolling...

 

[Desert Deuce]

An inverter won't be able to provide the start up current for the compressor.

My solution is going to be putting an RV AC in the roof of the cab (paint to match) and mount a small diesel generator somewhere on the truck to provide the current. The more I consider this option the more sense it make (at least to me). Some RV AC's blow massive amounts of air.

The generator could be mounted in the bed with exhaust routed outside of the bed if a cargo cover is used. It could also be mounted where the pioneer rack and spare tire are.

 

[91W350]

A squirt bottle, a light T shirt, kick open the windshield, roll down the windows, open the vents. Squirt some water on the T shirt and turn yourself into an old fashioned water cooler... cost effective, but sucks sitting in traffic!

 

[velociT]

Can't help with the A/C, but this is the 14th day in a row the heat index here is over 110'f.

No deuce driving here without heat stroke.

 

[convict1]

cool

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Drove all over town today (100.0F at 1700hrs) and no problem with the heat. Got the convertible top down of course.

I was tempted to pull into the SONIC Drive-In for a FROZEN DRINK.... I'd love to squeeze the Deuce under their canopy.... but the line was out the driveway and there were no empty slots to be had. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[clinto]

Required reading:

M621

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/65278-m621-build.html

Highly, deeply recommended reading:

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/5-ton-up/67897-air-conditioning-my-m925a2.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/37143-roof-mounted-c-hard-top.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-...54613-c-compressor-driven-electric-motor.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/12540-deuce-cab-air-conditioning.html

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/7137-advice-evaporator-housing-idea.html


Conclusion: Insulate the heck out of the cab, mimic M-35 tom's setup.

Additional recommendation: When having compressor mounting brakes made, have a second set made and ship them to me.

 

[R Racing]

Working on putting 1 in a m920 now and a m35a3 right after. the hmmwv exchange wont fit under the dash so it will be a upper rear mount. on the m920 it will just squeek under the dash .

 

[michigandon]

An inverter won't be able to provide the start up current for the compressor.

Sure it will!

I used one on my motorhome to run the rooftop unit whilst underway. And the ice cream truck guys use 'em day in and day out to operate their freezers.