I just got done installing evacuating and chrging a complete AC kit from AMA. Well, actually i didnt do the evacuating and charging I had a shop do that part.

The kit is all set up it blows cold, but it just doesnt seem to blow cold enough air. I am in California and its probably 70 degrees outside right now, if your standing in the sun its more like 75 but the air is probably blowing 70ish. Do these types of systems require a break in period for all of the o-rings to really seal? What could be causing the lack of cooling?

A couple things that I did notice are #1 that on the control panel the lever to that takes the ac form cold to hot does not go past the last white marker, which would answer the question as to why its not cooling to the max. Is there anything that I need to do to that control that will allow it to go completely to the left where I would expect the lowest temp to be reached? #2 After doing some reading and reading about problems that others are having, I did realize that the fan is not blowing hardly any air through the radiator and condenser. I did foresee this problem so I did buy a dual fan system from a ford contour to do the retrofit that was talked about in this forum https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nline-6-a.html.

I've read some great reviews on ama and their products which causes this to be somewhat of a surprise.

 

Does the blower motor itself work on all speeds? I used to charge AC systems for a shop, they should have checked the AC before the vehicle left. There isn't really a break in period, it should just take a minute or two before the cab starts dropping in temp. Shouldn't be too long as a truck cab is alot smaller then most car cabins.

 

Yes, the blower motor does work on all speeds.

I was at the shop early this morning and it was probably 65 degrees out so it might have been hard to tell at that time. I dont know what kind of check they would perform, but they mentioned that the install was done well and I heard one of the guys say its ice cold in there when they checked the cab. Im glad to hear there isnt a break in period, Do you think the poor cfm from the stock fan could be the problem because when im on the highway it is significantly cooler, but no where near the 36-38 degrees that I have heard these systems should be at.

 

Why on earth would you want your cabin to be 36 degrees Mr. freeze?

CFM shouldn't really matter too much. Remember that your AC is driven off the belt so higher RPMs will spin compressor faster=more charge per say.

 

Mr. Freeze? haha, I like staying cool but im just saying I dont think its even cooling down to 50 degrees. I just went for a drive and still fell hot after driving 8 miles, one more thing I did notice was that the side of the drive belt nearest to the cab is starting to fray some. Not much, but the guys at the shop were trying to get me to buy another one from them for a 100 bucks. This belt is the one I got from AMA who has a great reputation, an doubt that would be the problem... but since you mentioned it, it came to mind.

If higher rpms= more charge
more charge = lower temp outputs?

do you think it would be a good idea to do the fan mod?

 

To an extent. There's limits and such of course. But it really depends on the manufacturers specs as they may have it set to certain pressure limits.

Why didnt you just get an OEM AC set-up off a junkyard truck?

 

Here is a generic guide that does not address humidty or other specifics.

Get your discharge psi and lets go from there.
<TABLE style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; MARGIN: auto auto auto -0.05in; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt" class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 29.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 29.75pt; BORDER-TOP: black 1pt inset; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>Ambient Temperature <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 29.75pt; BORDER-TOP: black 1pt inset; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>Discharge Pressure <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>60 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>28-38 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>70 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>30-40 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>80 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>30-40 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>90 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>35-40 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>100 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>40-50 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>110 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>50-60 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15.75pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 120.45pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=161>120 °F <o></o>
</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1pt inset; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; WIDTH: 140.55pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; HEIGHT: 15.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT: black 1pt inset; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-left-alt: inset black .75pt; mso-border-top-alt: inset black .75pt" width=187>55-65 psi <o></o>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

but as mentioned its a generic guide

EDIT
I went and looked at that AMA site. I think that they should have provided a charging guide with the unit. Do you know if they had it at the shop?

 

I didnt want to deal with problems junkyard parts could give me, im dealing with this now but at least I know its a new system.

Edgethis: whats the answer to this
If higher rpms= more charge
more charge = lower temp outputs?

DRRXR: Im handy with a wrench but AC is all new to me, what tool would i need to measure the discharge pressure?

 

Well I got to looking and I posted the suction pressures above thats not the discharge. My oops. I hate that cut and apst from my word file. Here is another

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=530><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ff0000 height=21 vAlign=center colSpan=4>A/C System Pressure Readings
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=39 vAlign=center width="27%">Ambient Temperature
</TD><TD height=39 vAlign=center width="24%">Low Side Pressure
</TD><TD height=39 vAlign=center width="24%">High Side Pressure
</TD><TD height=39 vAlign=center width="24%">Center Vent Temperature
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">60 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">28-38 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">130-190 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">44-46 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">70 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">30-40 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">190-220 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">44-48 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">80 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">30-40 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">190-220 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">43-48 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">90 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">35-40 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">190-225 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">44-50 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">100 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">40-50 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">200-250 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">52-60 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">110 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">50-60 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">250-300 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">68-74 °F
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="27%">120 °F
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">55-65 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">320-350 psi
</TD><TD height=21 vAlign=center width="24%">70-75 °F
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
GENERIC AIR TEMP to PSI

Well instead of buying the profesional gauges I suggest buying a simple charge kit that has a hose and guage with a freon canister from a local auto part supplier. Not sure if the fittings are the same on your unit to match that of the recharge kit is the only draw back on that. For some of my vehicles I have to get adapters. These kits are generally made for low pressure hose attachment but the readings there should give you useful info

And I decide to do a search for some already typed info and found a little bit that may help
Adding Freon to Car AC - Gauge Readings Explained | Denlors Auto Blog