The AC condenser is a thermal transfer part of the air conditioning system that is similar in appearance to a radiator. The sealed portion of the condenser is where the refrigerant passes through, and air passes through the outside portion, past fins that are in line with the incoming air.
It has the name "condenser" because (when working properly) the refrigerant inside condenses from a gas to a liquid.
Refrigerant
The refrigerant coming and going from the condenser is on the high pressure side of the system, and with that compression, the refrigerant has been made hotter than the outside air, under ideal circumstances1. Since it's hotter under pressure, it is more primed for being cooled down, and cools down further when decompressed after the expansion valve.
Outside Air
The outside air passes over the surface of the condenser fins, and takes away heat energy if the surface of the condenser is hotter than this air passing through it. The larger the difference in temperature between the air and the fins, the greater the cooling effect is, leading to more effective air conditioning.
How the AC Condenser Works
This video provides a more visual explanation of how an AC condenser works. Uploaded by HowStuffInMyCarWorks
- Automotive Air Conditioning Systems
- AC Compressor
- Refrigerant
- Air
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- Ideal circumstances in this case means the vehicle has the right amount of refrigerant and the outside air isn't way out of the typical range humans live in.