Hydraulic Pump + AC Compressor = Useful Unit

[darus627]

In this video we show you the connection of a hydraulic pump with an air conditioning compressor.
It is a useful device and has many advantages.
- The hydraulic system works only when we turn it on, thanks to which the oil, pump, seals wear much slower.
- The engine is not loaded all the time, so the fuel consumption is lower.
- In addition, the battery and starter have a much easier start of the engine when the hydraulics are not permanently connected.

This is part of a big project we are working on right now and we decided to show this element separately to show how it is made and how it works.

[nova_robotics]

This is excellent. I've fantasized about making exactly this for my car for years. Instead I just made a new pulley with a bearing in the center so it free-wheels, effectively disconnecting the power steering pump. But that is not nearly as useful as your design. How much torque can those A/C magnetic clutches support before they start to slip?

[DIYer]

Thanks darus627! We've added your Compressor-Driven Hydraulic Pump to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: darus627's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Compressor-Driven Hydraulic Pump by darus627

tags: hydraulic, compressor

[hemmjo]

Very clever adaptation.

...Snip... How much torque can those A/C magnetic clutches support before they start to slip?

I have heard an A/C compressor takes 5-15 HP to run depending on the size of the vehicle. Also should keep in mind, typically an A/C system is not under pressure when the clutch is activated since the refrigerant pressures quickly equalize very quickly after the compressor stops running. There is a circuit in most modern applications that deactivates the clutch if it detects slipping. For example if the belt is loose, or wet, or if the compressor is locked up and cannot turn.

A hydraulic system would be similar as long as the valves were all in the center/bypass position.

[Jon]

Congratulations darus627 - your Compressor-Driven Hydraulic Pump is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

Clever build with many possible applications, at least one of which I expect we'll be seeing in a future project of yours.

Some more nice builds from this week:

Lathe Carriage Stop by Occasional machinist
Stair Spindle by gatz
Shop Crane by tmate3
Bridge Clamps by Make Things


darus627 - you'll be receiving a $100 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

This is your 2nd Homemade Tool of the Week win. Here are both of your Homemade Tool of the Week winning tools. Congrats again

Wood Chipper by darus627

tags: wood, farm tools

Compressor-Driven Hydraulic Pump by darus627

tags: hydraulic, compressor

[schuylergrace]

I have heard an A/C compressor takes 5-15 HP to run depending on the size of the vehicle. Also should keep in mind, typically an A/C system is not under pressure when the clutch is activated since the refrigerant pressures quickly equalize very quickly after the compressor stops running. There is a circuit in most modern applications that deactivates the clutch if it detects slipping. For example if the belt is loose, or wet, or if the compressor is locked up and cannot turn.

Keep in mind he's only using the clutch, not the compressor. On my first go through, I thought he was reconfiguring the compressor pump to pump hydraulic oil, but I never saw the piston assembly go back together. Instead, he's adding a hydraulic pump on the back of the essentially empty compressor shell. Things weren't adding up, and I realized what was going on at the very end. I don't know if you thought the same. I'm guessing his hydraulic pump is a rotary, which would likely be more mechanically efficient than the piston pump in the compressor.

[hemmjo]

Keep in mind he's only using the clutch, not the compressor. .... snip

I was making the point, that depending on the model, the clutch is designed to handle 5-15 HP, and to be engaged at speed. Your A/C compressor starts and stops when you are driving on the freeway. Although, there is little load when it first starts, since the pressures have equalized in the system since the last cycle. The load begins to build soon after the clutch as locked up.

John

[Elizabeth Greene]

If you're looking for an off-the-shelf way to do this, Deweze makes and sells underhood hydraulic kits for tow trucks. These clutches aren't "cheap", but the pricing isn't terrible. e.g. My old red truck would take a 742009 clutch which is around $300.

The last tow truck I rode in had a toggle switch that held the engine up at around 2,000 RPMs when the hydraulics were engaged. Does anyone know how they do that?

[hemmjo]

You can get an electric solenoid throttle control. search for "electronic throttle control for truck engine". under $150.

[Elizabeth Greene]

You can get an electric solenoid throttle control. search for "electronic throttle control for truck engine". under $150.

Thanks! I looked it up and it looks like they can be mechanical or use the CAN bus like I guessed. Cool stuff!