12V / 24V Universal Electric Air-Conditioning & Heating System

Heating + Cooling — full electric A/C with engine-fed heater core.

 

This universal 12V / 24V air-conditioning and heating kit provides reliable year-round climate control without needing a belt-driven compressor. It’s ideal for classic cars, hot rods, 4x4s, vans, utes, machinery and custom builds where engine bay space is limited or the traditional A/C layout simply won’t work.

Cooling is handled by a brushless inverter electric compressor, while heating is supplied through a built-in heater core that uses your engine’s hot coolant. This gives you proper factory-style warmth in winter without adding heavy electrical load.

Select 12V or 24V at checkout.

Where This Kit Works Best

• Classic cars, hot rods, restomods
• 4x4s, utes and touring rigs
• Vans, minibuses, small trucks
• Machinery, tractors, forklifts, skid-steers, excavators
• Industrial and mine-site vehicles
• Engine-swapped vehicles and tight engine bays
• Any vehicle with an available engine coolant circuit

(Not suitable for caravans/trailers — they have no engine coolant source.)

How the System Works

Cooling Function

The cooling system uses a 20cc brushless inverter compressor running entirely from 12V or 24V. No belts, no pulleys, no RPM requirements — just consistent electric cooling.

Heating Function

A built-in heater core inside the evaporator connects to the vehicle’s coolant lines. Once the engine reaches operating temperature, you get strong, stable heat just like a factory HVAC system.

Cooling Capacity Note

Because the heater core and cooling coil share the same evaporator housing, the cooling coil is smaller than our cooling-only kit. Cooling performance is still very good, but if maximum cooling is the priority, the cooling-only unit outperforms this one in hot climates and larger cabins.

Airflow

The evaporator blower outputs up to 440 m³/h, providing excellent airflow in classics, 4x4s, vans and smaller cabins.

Flexible Mounting (Compressor + Condenser)

This system gives you far more mounting freedom than traditional A/C setups.

Compressor Mounting Options

The compressor does not need to be in the engine bay. It can be mounted:

• Under the bonnet
• Inside a front guard
• Under the vehicle
• Behind the grille
• Inside a boot (vented)
• In a rear quarter cavity
• Inside the cabin (boxed and vented)

Condenser Mounting Options

• Under the front valance
• Behind the grille
• Under the vehicle
• In a guarded or vented compartment
• Mounted vertically or horizontally

Best Practice

For optimal performance, mount the compressor and condenser as close together as practical. Shorter refrigerant lines mean faster cooling, less load and better efficiency.

Hot Air Management

The condenser must be able to expel its hot air. If mounting in an enclosed area, you must duct that hot air out of the compartment.

Power Usage (Realistic Guide)

Peak current draw under heavy cooling is approximately:

• 12V: around 45A
• 24V: around 22.5A

Once the cabin cools and the compressor slows down, power consumption drops significantly. Heating uses engine coolant, so electrical demand stays minimal.

Alternator & Electrical Requirements

As a general recommendation:

• For 12V kits: a 100A alternator or larger is recommended
• For 24V systems: current draw is halved, so requirements are lighter

If you are running big fans, stereos, pumps or ECUs, allow additional alternator capacity to keep everything happy.

Compressor Details (Latest-Generation Technology)

This kit uses a modern 20cc brushless inverter compressor, far more advanced than old rotary-style 12V compressors. It delivers smoother operation, better cooling, lower electrical load and longer service life.

Why This Compressor Is Better

• Brushless inverter design – continuously adjusts output to match cooling demand. No harsh cycling, no wasted power.
• Variable-speed control – automatically operates around 1500 / 3000 / 4500 RPM depending on cabin temperature. High speed cools fast; low speed maintains temperature while greatly reducing current draw.
• Soft-start technology – eliminates voltage spikes during startup, ideal for older vehicles, 4x4s and machinery.
• Low-voltage protection – automatically shuts down to protect your battery and charging system if voltage drops too low.
• Quiet & low-vibration – minimal moving parts mean lower noise, reduced heat, less wear and longer lifespan.
• Energy efficient – average running power is much lower than old-style compressors because it only works as hard as needed.
• Flexible mounting – compact and sealed, allowing installation in a wide range of positions and locations around the vehicle.

Real-World Benefits

You get faster cool-down, lower electrical stress, longer component life, better performance in idle-heavy situations and a far more efficient and modern A/C system than old 12V rotary compressor designs.

Condenser Details

• Works in any orientation
• Requires airflow for best performance
• Must vent hot air away from the vehicle or compartment
• Includes a built-in filter – no separate dryer required

 

Evaporator Options

1. Under-Dash Evaporator

• Simple installation under the dashboard
• Built-in vents blow directly into the cabin
• Heating and cooling from one compact unit

2. Hide-Away / In-Dash Evaporator

• Replaces the old heater box or under-dash unit
• Uses the vehicle’s existing vents via ducting
• Gives a clean, factory-style appearance

Heater plumbing is straightforward – simply tee into the engine’s coolant hoses and route them to the evaporator’s heater core.

Pre-Wired From Factory

The system comes pre-wired so you can set it up on the bench and see how everything works before fitting it to the vehicle.

Basic Connections

• Battery positive
• Battery negative
• Purple trigger wire
• Three fan control wires
• Digital controller plug

From there, you simply extend and route the wiring to suit your installation and blend it into your loom.

Hoses & Fittings

• Three refrigerant hoses – each 3 metres long
• Each hose is a different diameter so you can’t mix them up
• All A/C fittings required for the kit are supplied

Once you’ve cut the hoses to length, they must be professionally crimped. The heater circuit uses standard coolant hose tied into the engine’s heater lines.

Warranty

• 1-Year warranty on the complete unit
• 3-Year warranty on the inverter compressor

These systems are built for real-world automotive and machinery use and have been proven across a wide range of applications.

Shipping & Pickup

• $79 flat-rate shipping Australia-wide via TNT Express
• Pickup available from Pimpama, Gold Coast (by appointment)

Summary

This kit gives you genuine electric cooling and engine-fed heating in vehicles that were never designed for modern climate control. It’s perfect for classics, 4x4s, vans, machinery and custom builds needing comfort, flexibility and the latest HVAC technology without relying on belt-driven components.