Vehicles after change point in 1982 FUNCTION OF REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT After switching on the air conditioner the refrigerant circuit goes into action, i.e. the magnetic coupling coil receives power to produce a magnetic field which pulls the armature clutch plate, which is fixed on the compressor shaft next to the internal disc turning freely on the same shaft. Friction is consequently employed to drive the compressor. The compressor, a major component of the system, increase the pressure of the refrigerant vapors. Refrigerant vapors are taken in on the suction side of the compressor. The refrigerant is compressed by three double-action pistons arranged axial to the drive shaft, whereby the vapor temperature rises. These high pressure vapors travel via a high pressure line to the condenser located on the front of the engine radiator. The high pressurized, hot refrigerant is cooled by wind and an extra fan. When reaching a certain temperature the vapors condense, become liquid and are cooler. The high pressurized refrigerant travels to the fluid tank/drier. The drier removes moisture and also acids from the refrigerant, this however only to the amount of approx. 6 to 10 grams. The refrigerant continues from the drier to the expansion valve, which is a separating point in the system. The expansion valve meters the refrigerant volume. The injection rate will be controlled by the temperature and pressure at the outlet of the evaporator. In the evaporator the refrigerant evaporates and cools off considerably. The stream of fresh air, supported by a blower, moving past a cold evaporator will be cooled accordingly and forwarded through nozzles into the passenger compartment. The evaporated refrigerant will again be taken in by the compressor, so that the refrigerant circuit is closed. Moisture in the fresh air or ambient air, which streams around the evaporator, condenses on the cool plates. The condensation on the evaporator is discharged via two rubber hoses on the transmission tunnel and could cause a puddle of up to two liters underneath a parked car depending on the moisture in the air. This is completely normal and not indication of a defect in the systems. It could happen that the condensation freezes on the plates of the evaporator. A temperature switch with a capillary sensor protects the evaporator against ice and switches the air conditioner off when ice starts to form. This stops the refrigerant circuit and the evaporator ice can melt. The temperature switch will then release the power flow again, the magnetic coupling engages and the refrigerant circuits work again. Pre-requisites for a perfect working air conditioning system are maximum cleanliness for all jobs on the air conditioner and as perfect as possible discharging (removal of moisture in the refrigerant circuit) of the air conditioner.
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