can AC be made to auto shut off at specific throttle threshold?

[juntjoo]

I'd like to add a new mode to enhance my driving experience, and fuel economy. it would turn AC off automatically when the throttle is open past a certain, preferably user defined, threshold. Sounds like someone with some basic electronics skills could figure out or perhaps there is something already out there that could accomplish this. Anyone know? Thanks

[Eli]

Nothing that I know of commercially available, but it wouldn't be too hard.

There are people that have added an external switch to manually control the A/C without having to muck with the climate control settings.

You would just expand on that by replacing the switch with a relay, and have the relay actuated based on input from the throttle position sensor.

Probably other ways to do it as well. I wish I had the time for fun little projects like this.

[juntjoo]

Yeah sounds pretty basic right? I don't have any real electronics experience tho past a couple soldering jobs and using a soldering iron for a vaporizer and I don't even know exactly what a relay is. So how would the open throttle threshold be set? Via the relay? Would I be looking for some type of programmable circuit/gadget/apparatus thingie? I guess I'll need to start reading up on electronics but any tips just to set me in the right direction would be great...

[Eli]

It's always much easier said than done. It's a fairly complex little project actually, for someone who isn't electronics savvy.

You would probably need a small microcontroller to monitor the throttle position sensor. It would all be done in software. So above a certain threshold, it would just simply turn the relay off, thereby turning the AC off. That's how I would do it at least.

There may be an easier way to do it; I'm not an electronics expert by any stretch of the imagination.

I just do it manually by reaching up and hitting the AC button, but it would be pretty cool to have it be automatic.

[juntjoo]

Yeah right? I shall ask someone in radio shack...

[Eli]

Good luck with that!

[Willie Williford]

This has been discussed before aka vacumn switch.

Willie

[Eli]

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

This has been discussed before aka vacumn switch.

Willie

That's a great idea Willie! Much easier than my solution.

Is there such thing as an adjustable vacuum switch? That would be ideal.

[Willie Williford]

Yes, I got one sitting on the shelf. Adjustable from .4 to 30 in. hg.
It can be used to turn on a circuit or turn off a circuit.
Willie

[Eli]

Well there you go. One of those, some rubber hose and T fittings and you're good to go.