Can the Wuling Zhiguang be equipped with air conditioning?
3 Answers
Wuling Zhiguang can be equipped with air conditioning. There is no problem at all when driving on flat ground, but it may be more strenuous when driving in mountainous areas. Overall, it is acceptable. The automotive air conditioning refrigeration system mainly consists of a compressor, expansion valve, condenser, evaporator, and blower, among others. These components are connected into a sealed system using high-pressure rubber hoses and steel pipes. More relevant information is as follows: Compression process: The compressor sucks in the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas at the outlet of the evaporator and compresses it into high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which is then discharged from the compressor. Heat dissipation process: The high-temperature, high-pressure superheated refrigerant gas enters the condenser. Due to the reduction in pressure and temperature, the refrigerant gas condenses into a liquid and releases a large amount of heat. Throttling process: The higher-temperature and higher-pressure refrigerant liquid passes through the expansion device, where its volume increases, and the pressure and temperature drop sharply, discharging as a mist (fine droplets) from the expansion device. Heat absorption process: The mist-like refrigerant liquid enters the evaporator. Since the boiling point of the refrigerant is much lower than the temperature inside the evaporator, the refrigerant liquid evaporates into a gas. During the evaporation process, it absorbs a large amount of surrounding heat, and then the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vapor re-enters the compressor. The above process is repeated cyclically to achieve the purpose of reducing the temperature of the air around the evaporator.
The Wuling Zhiguang can indeed be retrofitted with air conditioning, and I've done it myself. At the time, I found a modification shop in the auto parts market and spent over 2,000 yuan on a complete air conditioning kit, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and piping. The installation took about seven to eight hours, as the mechanic had to remove the dashboard for wiring and install brackets in the engine compartment. After installation, the cooling effect was quite good, and my back no longer got soaked with sweat while driving in the summer. However, two things to note: first, the power will be slightly weaker when the air conditioning is on, especially noticeable when climbing hills; second, make sure the mechanic performs a full sealing test, otherwise the refrigerant will leak and the installation will be for nothing. Overall, it greatly improves the daily driving experience.
As someone who frequently helps others modify cars, I've handled many Wuling Sunshine air conditioning installation projects. This vehicle has a reserved compressor position in the engine compartment, and there's sufficient space in the chassis for routing pipelines. The main components to install include the compressor bracket, condenser, and complete pipeline system, with the evaporator box needing to be installed inside the passenger side dashboard. It's best to choose original factory-matched air conditioning kits, as aftermarket parts are prone to issues. After modification, it's essential to test the sealing of the high and low-pressure pipelines, evacuate the vacuum, and then charge with Freon. In summer, the cooling effect can reach around 25°C, but remember to clean the condenser fins every two to three years; otherwise, dust buildup can reduce cooling efficiency.
