To the LS2 / LS3 users who are interested in my control module. This does NOT apply to the LS1 folks.
After talking with a few of you I have discovered what I consider to be a downside to the design I have settled on for the LS2 / LS3 standalone A/C controller and wiring kit. My controller has the ability to trigger a fan output when the switch is pressed and the compressor is ordered to turn on. The radiator fans help to cool the condenser, which is most beneficial in stop and go traffic and low speeds. However, at highway speeds, etc it is more ideal in my opinion to turn off the fans and let the high speed air coming through the bumper inlet cool the condenser and radiator without being impeded by fan blades turning at a speed that can’t keep up with the air being forced through the condenser and radiator.
Ideally I would have a system in place to turn off the fan output when the vehicle reaches a certain speed. However, I can’t think of a simple and inexpensive way to do it in this application. Unlike the RPM signal a speed signal can be varied by a lot of things, so it would be hard to nail down a speed to shut off that would work for everyone. I think it would be pretty difficult to add a speed window switch to the mix. I’ve thought about it and even played around with the idea of designing a microprocessor based module that would serve as a RPM and speed window switch. I even built on that idea and realized I could pretty much put everything needed on a circuit board except for 1 relay to make the standalone A/C Controller. From there it could even function to replace the Dakota converter boxes people use to correct their speedo sensor since it’s already referencing the speedo signal and it would be trivial to modify that signal and have an output for the modified signal to output to the stock gauge. Still, that type of project would take a couple of months to develop with my current time constraints, so I’ve abandoned the idea for the time being.
I guess the long and short of it is that while my LS2/LS3 standalone kit will interface with the FD’s AC switch and safely control the compressor based on Freon pressure feedback and proper RPM ranges, its fan control is amateurish. Unless I’m mistaken, all of the DIY LS2/LS3 AC controllers of this type also suffer the same problem. Since I haven’t heard a lot of complaints on the subject I’ll assume it isn’t a terrible one, but I wanted to be completely upfront about it.
I’m open to suggestions if anyone has any.
Lane
