How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work
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Out of curiosity, I cut open an A/C condenser and drier from my car to see what’s inside and how it works. I made a short video explaining what’s inside:
Here’s a few photos of the breakdown:
The A/C condenser and drier are located at the front of the vehicle. The condenser dissipates heat from the refrigerant as it changes from a gas to a liquid state. The drier removes moisture, traps contaminants, and acts as a holding canister for excess refrigerant.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-jszgmfn.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490773d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-jszgmfn.jpg)
Here’s what the condenser looks like, chopped in half. It has small tubes that pass refrigerant through and fins just like a radiator.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-x9lo5up.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490774d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-x9lo5up.jpg)
Here’s what the bottom half of the drier looks like:
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-1rsvxnt.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490775d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-1rsvxnt.jpg)
The middle portion of the drier has desiccant, which are small beads that absorb moisture.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-y47tafo.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490776d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-y47tafo.jpg)
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-fk2ej7z.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490777d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-fk2ej7z.jpg)
The desiccant has two filters and grates on either side that surround it and contain it within the middle of the canister.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-6vn8nnu.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490778d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-6vn8nnu.jpg)
And that’s pretty much all the components inside an A/C condenser and drier. These are very simple components that a part of a very complex system.
Here’s a few photos of the breakdown:
The A/C condenser and drier are located at the front of the vehicle. The condenser dissipates heat from the refrigerant as it changes from a gas to a liquid state. The drier removes moisture, traps contaminants, and acts as a holding canister for excess refrigerant.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-jszgmfn.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490773d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-jszgmfn.jpg)
Here’s what the condenser looks like, chopped in half. It has small tubes that pass refrigerant through and fins just like a radiator.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-x9lo5up.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490774d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-x9lo5up.jpg)
Here’s what the bottom half of the drier looks like:
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-1rsvxnt.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490775d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-1rsvxnt.jpg)
The middle portion of the drier has desiccant, which are small beads that absorb moisture.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-y47tafo.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490776d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-y47tafo.jpg)
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-fk2ej7z.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490777d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-fk2ej7z.jpg)
The desiccant has two filters and grates on either side that surround it and contain it within the middle of the canister.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-6vn8nnu.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490778d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-6vn8nnu.jpg)
And that’s pretty much all the components inside an A/C condenser and drier. These are very simple components that a part of a very complex system.
![How an A/C Drier and Condenser Work-kuycqst.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/car-chat/490779d1683153795t-how-an-a-c-drier-and-condenser-work-kuycqst.jpg)
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