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tube and fin or parallel flow evaporator core

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Mbwsr, Jun 17, 2020.

  1. Mbwsr

    Mbwsr Junior Member

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    I need to purchase an evaporate core for a 2009 gen 2 but some of the vendors list options of a tube and fin evaporator cores or a parallel flow evaporator cores. It seems as though I read somewhere that the parallel flow performs better. The parallel flows are less expensive. Does anyone know if it is optional which one you can use or does it depend on which type is installed in the vehicle. Does one supersede the other? Can I use either or?

    Thanks in advance
     
    #1 Mbwsr, Jun 17, 2020
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    #2 SFO, Jun 17, 2020
  3. Mbwsr

    Mbwsr Junior Member

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    Thank you SFO. This is my first post so I really appreciate your help, I had some difficulty in getting the post to submit so thank you very much. I have been a long time lurker, I mean looker, to Priuschat and have received a lot of help from the site. I thought that I had registered a few years back but evidently I hadn't, but I am registered now.
    I hope someone knows whether or not the two different design evaporators are interchangeable.
     
    #3 Mbwsr, Jun 17, 2020
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  4. lech auto air conditionin

    lech auto air conditionin Senior Member

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    Parallel flow more efficient.
     
    #4 lech auto air conditionin, Jun 18, 2020
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  5. lech auto air conditionin

    lech auto air conditionin Senior Member

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    Even if they were inner changeable or not you would not want to use the tube and fin. Tube and fin evaporators were primarily used in the 60s a little bit into the 70s just about disappeared in the 80s. When you said Tube and fin I cannot even believe anybody made such an evaporator except for antique and classical cars.

    It’s because of the parallel flow evaporator that dashboards in cars can be made so small and energy efficient. The size of a tube and fin are nearly double that of a parallel flow to get the same amount of cooling. Hopefully the parallel flow condenser you were looking at was manufactured by Denso ?.
    When you mention Tube and fin evaporator I imagined a site of child labor in Zimbabwe or Thailand or China away from the main big cities with welding without safety glasses smoke and fumes from burnt metals still using lead, arsenic and selenium. Sharp shards of metal sticking out of shelves protruding into the hallways young boy squatting on the floor welding well blinking in between each spot Weld.

    Where are all the employees live eat sleep inside the factory. At least they can’t be late for work.

    Did I mention I actually toured and spent the day in a factory like this in China to somebody I know who owned the factory making products for the United States. When I asked what about the welders eyes because they have no welding goggles and they can’t see anymore. The owners response you get another welder there’s 10,000 waiting to take his job.
     
    #5 lech auto air conditionin, Jun 18, 2020
  6. Mbwsr

    Mbwsr Junior Member

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    Lech, Thank you very much for your reply. I remember the larger tube and fin evaporators from days gone by and that is one thing that was so confusing. The tube and fin units listed at NAPA, Rockauto, and other sites for this Prius were very close in dimensions, within 1/8 inch or so to the parallel flow units. I did want to get a Denso but don't know whether or not to trust that the one listed as Denso from rockauto would actually be a Denso. I've also seen where Denso Auto Parts is an aftermarket line from Denso and sale this item but again I'm not sure if this actually OEM Denso products. I'm tempted to go with the Murray from O'Reilly's, while not a Denso it is about half the price of the dealership price and I think Murray is good quality.

    I'm just not sure about the one from Rockauto, does anyone have experience getting a Denso evaporator from rockauto?

    That must have been a horrible experience seeing that child labor site. While many of us probably unknowingly use products produced by some of these sites I would not intentionally use anything from manufactures using this type of labor, child or adult. This type of abuse is really shameful.

    Again, thank you so much for your input and parallel flow it shall be.
     
    #6 Mbwsr, Jun 18, 2020
  7. Mbwsr

    Mbwsr Junior Member

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    SFO, thank you for your help. Did I mention that we are the proud owners of a 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2015 Prius. My wife uses the the '06, '07, and '09 on her mail delivery route.

    I see your link to the pid installation guide for Torque, thanks. I have Torque Pro and a BAFX OBDII interface that works really good for reading many diagnostic codes and monitoring battery voltage.

    It's people like you through this site that have helped many of us Prius owners maintain some level of sanity.
     
    #7 Mbwsr, Jun 18, 2020
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