I have searched far and wide to see if this is something that has been done before. I'm sure it has, but either my search skills are not up to par, or nobody has posted their modification.
For me, I like control. I want things to work when I want them to work. I do not like the heater/ac controls on my cherokee sport. For example, why must I have the AC engaged when the defrost is selected? This may make sense in Tennessee or Maine, but in Wyoming - I can assure you the air is dry enough. I'm fighting a loosing battle with gas mileage as it is, and in the winter, this kills my wallet - and needlessly. I want to add a switch to engage and disengage my AC.
My first idea was to pull the controls from a grand cherokee that has the switch. It's ohhhh so close to fitting but not quite. So what about cannibalizing the parts from that whole assembly? Turns out that little ac switch is just formed into the potentiometer circuit for the hot/cold blend. I could unsolder the switch, but it's not really a stand alone solution that I was looking for.
On a side note, I now have the electronic climate control and the analogue climate controls from a grand cherokee (late '90s) if anyone is interested...
So, I'm going to add an aftermarket switch (or a better pulled switch from some random junked car that might catch my interest). My questions are thus:
Has anyone taken this project in before? If so, I kindly ask for your wisdom and experience. If not, I'll need to use a relay, as control of the AC compressor is high amperage and I'd rather not have that running into the dash. Would the way in which aftermarket fog lights are added work in this case? Does anyone have data on the current draw when the compressor kicks in? I imagine it's slightly less than the fuse for it, which is a 15a for the compressor clutch.
Also, what about taping into those fuse wires directly since they already power a relay, rather than taping into the actual power lines for the compressor?
I see adding a separate circuit as safer, but potentially adding unnecessary complications. I'm not worried about poping a fuse during testing, but I am worried about blowing the compressor.
Hopefully this isn't too out in left field here and I can generate some good discussion. My only request is that you don't try to dissuade me from this task. I want my control, and I shall have my control. Silly or not, it's what I want. Any constructive input is, as always, welcomed.
Thanks everyone!
For me, I like control. I want things to work when I want them to work. I do not like the heater/ac controls on my cherokee sport. For example, why must I have the AC engaged when the defrost is selected? This may make sense in Tennessee or Maine, but in Wyoming - I can assure you the air is dry enough. I'm fighting a loosing battle with gas mileage as it is, and in the winter, this kills my wallet - and needlessly. I want to add a switch to engage and disengage my AC.
My first idea was to pull the controls from a grand cherokee that has the switch. It's ohhhh so close to fitting but not quite. So what about cannibalizing the parts from that whole assembly? Turns out that little ac switch is just formed into the potentiometer circuit for the hot/cold blend. I could unsolder the switch, but it's not really a stand alone solution that I was looking for.
On a side note, I now have the electronic climate control and the analogue climate controls from a grand cherokee (late '90s) if anyone is interested...
So, I'm going to add an aftermarket switch (or a better pulled switch from some random junked car that might catch my interest). My questions are thus:
Has anyone taken this project in before? If so, I kindly ask for your wisdom and experience. If not, I'll need to use a relay, as control of the AC compressor is high amperage and I'd rather not have that running into the dash. Would the way in which aftermarket fog lights are added work in this case? Does anyone have data on the current draw when the compressor kicks in? I imagine it's slightly less than the fuse for it, which is a 15a for the compressor clutch.
Also, what about taping into those fuse wires directly since they already power a relay, rather than taping into the actual power lines for the compressor?
I see adding a separate circuit as safer, but potentially adding unnecessary complications. I'm not worried about poping a fuse during testing, but I am worried about blowing the compressor.
Hopefully this isn't too out in left field here and I can generate some good discussion. My only request is that you don't try to dissuade me from this task. I want my control, and I shall have my control. Silly or not, it's what I want. Any constructive input is, as always, welcomed.
Thanks everyone!