general question about condensers

hardbody on Tue April 26, 2011 9:08 PM

Just curious, why would a manufacturer paint/coat a condenser black? wouldn't the paint/coating effect the cooling properties of the metal in terms of it acting as a heat sink?

TRB on Tue April 26, 2011 9:15 PM

Looks - Yes you lose maybe 7 percent depending on how thick of a paint job they put on the condenser.

-------------------------

When considering your next auto A/C purchase, please consider the site that supports you: ACkits.com
Contact: ACKits.com

GM Tech on Tue April 26, 2011 9:52 PM

because the buyer wants it that way for styling....

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

hardbody on Sat May 21, 2011 11:46 AM

Thanks, was just curious about that.

ice-n-tropics on Sun May 22, 2011 2:34 PM

A black body radiates heat better, e.g., Harley's cylinder head cooling fins are painted black.
Painted condensers provide better countermeasure for corrosion.
hotrodac

-------------------------
Isentropic Efficiency=Ratio of Theoretical Compression Energy/Actual Energy.
AMAZON.com: How To Air Condition Your Hot Rod

Edited: Sun May 22, 2011 at 2:35 PM by ice-n-tropics

NickD on Sun May 22, 2011 7:59 PM