running a/c on electric compressor???

[1971ford]

so i really want factory AC/Heat in my 69, but i hate the AC compressor because it looks ugly and blocks view/access to the engine. this may be a stupid idea, but could i run the a/c on an electric compressor somehow? or someway to not have the bulky ugly factory compressor in the way of the engine? any thoughts?

[ToughOldFord]

You can get a cleaner look with a more modern Sanden compressor:

Sanden

And here's a guy that makes the brackets to mount a Sanden to a York mount:

Chunk Long

[1971ford]

thats pretty cool but it would still be in the way of the engine.
im thinking maybe have an electric compressor hidden somewhere

[Joe Kriston]

I saw a pic of an old Buick or Chevy that was owned by Howard Hughes, who was somewhat obsessively paranoid of germs...This Buick was retrofited with about 10 batteries in the trunk IIRC so Howard could have a closed-cabin type air conditioning system, even with the motor not running...Granted, the technology is about 60 years old and he was Howard Hughes so he did have a lot of money to pay for his little quirks, but it seems like an idea that never really caught on--To answer your question, I guess, yes, it can be done...

[seattle67]

Ryan, at 12 vdc it would take some pretty serious amperage to run an AC compressor. You would need an additional, dedicated battery bank and charging system.

I hear you though, the AC compressors hanging off the front of our engines are not all that attractive. That is one benefit of living in Seattle, there are only 3 or 4 days that we need AC, so its not an issue for me.

[1971ford]

allright thanks guys. i guess ill stick with the big ugly engine turd