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Parallel Flow Condenser

nutt7

nutt7

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Ahwatukee, AZ -> JBLM, WA
If anyone cares, or for future searchers, I found a true parallel flow condenser (I am sure lots of you know about it, but little to no info on it is here) that is a direct replacement for our old tube and fins it is an ACDelco p/n 15-6960.

Why should you care? parallel flow condensers are the MOST efficient condensers for r134a conversions. Most major parts stores sell 6mm piccolo or serpentine designs and say they work with r134a...which they do...but if you live in a hot place, every degree of that A/C matters. I found mine on ebay for $125 shipped. Auto parts warehouse has them for ~$150 shipped. I couldn't find any locally in Phoenix (didn't try the dealer). Also beware, some places claim to have parallel flow condensers, but they are the piccolo ones.

I have yet to install it, but I will post back the difference in temperature (currently my vent temps are a low of ~60 degrees and are between 70 and 80 when idling with ambient temps about 110).
 
Bless you...I've been studying up on the parallel flow types...what exactly is a 6mm "piccolo" style? That's the only type I've been finding.
 
62 fat guy said:
Bless you...I've been studying up on the parallel flow types...what exactly is a 6mm "piccolo" style? That's the only type I've been finding.
Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge, they are like a tube and fin, but they use 6mm (smaller) tubes, and more of them to dissipate heat more effectively than the stock one.

From whatever research I have been able to find via A/C forums and such, they say the parallel flows shed heat the best. I read that the order of r134a efficient condensers (best to worse) are:

1. Parallel Flow
2. Piccolo
3. Serpentine
4. Tube and fin
 
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Cross sections of different condenser types

Here is a photo of different condenser types that I stole from some cheesy power point:

Condensertypes.png
 
I see that it is listed as a replacement for square nose trucks, but where do you see it specified as parallel flow? I'm a little leary of running one of these with an R-4 compressor because when it dies, that will probably be the end of that condensor. Nothing is easier to clean and keep running than the old school tube and fin. But I do have that sickness which makes performance improvements hard to resist.
 
Blue85 said:
I see that it is listed as a replacement for square nose trucks, but where do you see it specified as parallel flow? I'm a little leary of running one of these with an R-4 compressor because when it dies, that will probably be the end of that condensor. Nothing is easier to clean and keep running than the old school tube and fin. But I do have that sickness which makes performance improvements hard to resist.
Click to expand...

The following is what is show for the AC Delco condenser on any listing from parts store.

AC DELCO A/C CONDENSER -- Parallel flow design; Features the latest technology for an updated and light weight compact design; A high quality, OE replacement A/C condenser; Replaces OE number 52484151; With 12-month or 12,000-mile AC Delco warranty.

  • Fit Note: Truck

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Design: Parallel flow
  • Color/Finish: Natural
  • Product Fit: OE replacement
  • Quantity Sold: Sold individually

  • Anticipated Ship Out Time: 1-2 business days
  • Warranty: 1-year or 12,000-mile AC Delco limited warranty
 
OK, I searched using your text and found a bunch of hits. It just isn't listed that way on any site I would usually buy from.

So who has measured their stock condenser lately and why are we replacing them with 24" wide units?
 
Blue85 said:
OK, I searched using your text and found a bunch of hits. It just isn't listed that way on any site I would usually buy from.

So who has measured their stock condenser lately and why are we replacing them with 24" wide units?
Click to expand...

I didn't realize they were different widths. I just saw it was a replacement part. I will measure tonight or tomorrow morning.
 
seeing that the r134 is nearly as expensive as the r12, I'm thinking about getting my certification & getting some r12...
 
I just measured mine at 30" to the end of the tubes, and it's 16.5" tall. The replacement is 25% smaller, which is on par with the efficiency increase of the new design. I had heard to use the S-10 condenser and found one locally for $50. It's about 26x14, about the same area as the AC Delco.

I like the idea of the condenser "nearly" filling the opening. Seems like most of the air will start going around if it gets too small.

Anybody know of a factory app that's a closer fit and with the same connectors? The ultimate solution might be one of the aftermarket parallel flow units (I found one with the right dimensions for $150, but then you're dealing with adapters (more leak points) or custom hoses (more $$).
 
62 fat guy said:
seeing that the r134 is nearly as expensive as the r12, I'm thinking about getting my certification & getting some r12...
Click to expand...

No way, R134 is still way cheaper. We sell it for $17 a pound. Used to sell R12 for $55 a pound when we could get it
 
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Blue85 said:
OK, I searched using your text and found a bunch of hits. It just isn't listed that way on any site I would usually buy from.

So who has measured their stock condenser lately and why are we replacing them with 24" wide units?
Click to expand...

Here is another listing that is a little larger.
More Images


  • List Price:$126.31
  • Our Price: $107.04
  • You Save: $19.27
freeshipping.gif

Quantity:



SPECTRA A/C CONDENSER -- 25.75 x 15.56 in. core size, 1 in. thickness; Parallel flow type; Male O-ring inlet and outlet connection; Manufactured under ISO 9002 certified quality systems to meet or exceed OEM specifications; Reverse engineered design to ensure proper fit; Carefully packaged for product quality and installation; Product fit guarantee; With 2-year Spectra limited warranty. Finish: Natural Material: Aluminum Warranty: 2-year Spectra warranty Design: Parallel flow Quantity Sold: Sold individually
this one is larger, but then it is tube and fin design :doah:
More Images


  • List Price:$178.68
  • Our Price: $151.42
  • You Save: $27.26
freeshipping.gif

Quantity:



PERFORMANCE A/C CONDENSER, ALUMINUM, NATURAL, NEW -- 27.25 x 16 x 1.25 in. core dimensions, 1/2 in. male O-ring fitting 1, 3/8 in. male O-ring fitting 2; Tube and fin flow type; Does not include dryer; A high quality, OE replacement A/C condenser; With 3-year Performance Radiator limited warranty. Finish: Black Material: Aluminum Warranty: 3-year Performance Radiator limited warranty Design: Tube and fin flow
 
How about 15-6666 - seems to be from mid 90's trucks. 15.9x28.6. It says #8 o-ring fittings, but the fittings point in the wrong direction: http://www.acpartshouse.com/showitem.aspx?&id=100955&name=New%20A%2FC%20Condenser

15-6688 has the fitting in the right location, but I can't find information on whether it is tube/parallel/whatever. (15.8x28.3)

15-6856 is parallel flow, 15.9x30.8, but I can't find a description of the fittings. It's for a late 90's Lumina

The 15-6863 is 15.3x28.7, parallel flow. 94-96 Buick roadmaster. But I see pictures of two different types of fittings on this one.

ac156863_is

So has anybody converted from the giant tube and fin to the mid-size parallel without changing everything else to comment on the performance difference?
 
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Blue85 said:
I just measured mine at 30" to the end of the tubes, and it's 16.5" tall. The replacement is 25% smaller, which is on par with the efficiency increase of the new design. I had heard to use the S-10 condenser and found one locally for $50. It's about 26x14, about the same area as the AC Delco.
Click to expand...

According to my measurements, its 15% smaller, but I measured my stock condenser from edge of fin to edge of fin since I figured the tubes sticking out might be comparable to the tanks on the AC Delco.

frankin5 said:
Here is another listing that is a little larger.
More Images


  • List Price:$126.31
  • Our Price: $107.04
  • You Save: $19.27
freeshipping.gif

Quantity:



SPECTRA A/C CONDENSER -- 25.75 x 15.56 in. core size, 1 in. thickness; Parallel flow type; Male O-ring inlet and outlet connection; Manufactured under ISO 9002 certified quality systems to meet or exceed OEM specifications; Reverse engineered design to ensure proper fit; Carefully packaged for product quality and installation; Product fit guarantee; With 2-year Spectra limited warranty. Finish: Natural Material: Aluminum Warranty: 2-year Spectra warranty Design: Parallel flow Quantity Sold: Sold individually
Click to expand...

I believe those are the overall measurements...measures same as my AC Delco.

Blue85 said:
How about 15-6666 - seems to be from mid 90's trucks. 15.9x28.6. It says #8 o-ring fittings, but the fittings point in the wrong direction: http://www.acpartshouse.com/showitem.aspx?&id=100955&name=New A/C Condenser

15-6688 has the fitting in the right location, but I can't find information on whether it is tube/parallel/whatever. (15.8x28.3)

15-6856 is parallel flow, 15.9x30.8, but I can't find a description of the fittings. It's for a late 90's Lumina

The 15-6863 is 15.3x28.7, parallel flow. 94-96 Buick roadmaster. But I see pictures of two different types of fittings on this one.

ac156863_is

So has anybody converted from the giant tube and fin to the mid-size parallel without changing everything else to comment on the performance difference?
Click to expand...

I believe the mid 90s ones are serpentine (took a look at one at the JY). Also, the lines going to the condenser are different sizes, maybe that's why they are different on the buick.

BTW, that condenser is not a direct fit...I had to drill new holes for the mounts since it is narrow...not too happy about that. Top to bottom fits well though. So it definitely is not a perfect swap.

Blue85, I will post results when I finish my project. I have some good baseline readings before I started this (I am doing e-fans, rad, relays, breakers, new core support, tranny cooler, condenser, timing cover seal, oil cooler lines...thought I would do it all at once :D)
 
I have the A/C system torn apart right now for a serpentine conversion, so I was thinking about replacing the condenser, but since I can't find a simple solution, I think I will just put the faithful old stock unit back in service. I have too many other things to get done right now, you know? It always blew cool enough and since last summer I upgraded the radiator fans, so it should only get better. Long-term I want to ditch the R-4 compressor, so I'll try to have something ready to go by then.
 
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