i tried searching and didn't come up with much so maybe there is no clear answer.
if you were replacing an evaporator core is the a preference between an all aluminum unit and an all copper unit with aluminum fins?
assume the construction is the same the only difference being copper.
(the picture is for reference)
Edited: Fri August 06, 2010 at 9:02 AM by 98audiA4
(fixed previous post, sorry for the double)
Edited: Fri August 06, 2010 at 9:03 AM by 98audiA4
Personal preference is aluminum. Several years ago when these type evaps were the norm, we often noticed a increase in vent temps when an OE alum was replaced with a brass and copper units. The difference is not excessive...but on a South FL scorcher...it can make a difference.
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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
thanks guys!
I don't disagree with Ice. Just saying some T & F cores were made as cheap as they could. A proper tubed core will do a pretty good job. Think how many copper cores are in homes though out the world?
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The thermal conductivity of copper is almost twice that of aluminum, but aluminum is cheaper.
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johnl
i'm sticking with the original copper unit as it doesn't require me tearing apart dashes at the JY for an all AL one or buying a new one. seeing the two side by side did make me curious as to which is preferred by the experts. the way the small inlet pipes connect to the exchanger look to be done in a better fashion than the copper ones that i can say for sure. what i dont like about the AL one is the steel plates on the top and bottom that look to have rusted. no such issue on the copper one.
According to the A/C guide "How To Air Condition Your Hot Rod" (available from Amazon), The coefficients of heat transfer are similar to the coefficients of electrical conductivity (page 10). The book says that the heat transfer of Cu = .0040 BTU/second but Al = .0020 BTU/second.
hotrodac
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Isentropic Efficiency=Ratio of Theoretical Compression Energy/Actual Energy.
AMAZON.com: How To Air Condition Your Hot Rod
Edited: Mon August 09, 2010 at 10:42 PM by ice-n-tropics
If you pay close attention to the pictures, the length of the copper refrigerant inlet tubes are not well executed like the 4 aluminum 1/4" inlet tubes. The equal distribution of refrigerant spray (from the TXV) is dependent on both the accuracy of the machined 4 circuit distributor and the equal length/pressure drop of the 1/4" feeder tubes.
TRB
I'll give you a call when I get back from calvary Canada.
hotrodac
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Isentropic Efficiency=Ratio of Theoretical Compression Energy/Actual Energy.
AMAZON.com: How To Air Condition Your Hot Rod
Many different alloys of both copper and aluminum and efficiency is not the only issue, but long term reliability is also an issue. Judging by the amount of oxide on that copper shown in your photos, not exactly ideal. Cost wise in semiconductor heat sinks, can do a lot more cooling with a good aluminum alloy than copper, the formability is yet another issue.
Just way too many different variables just to simply ask if one metal is better than the other. Aluminum can be formed in ways that copper cannot, and if you make an evaporator or condenser of a given size more efficient with aluminum, that is the better choice. Problems with longevity with aluminum are directly related to the quality and the alloy of aluminum that was used. Can find far superior aluminum in a throwaway aluminum soda can.
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