The RCV (Refrigerant Control Valve ) is a more sophisticated method of controlling A/C system operating pressures. It works by adjusting, actually
optimizing, the compressor’s piston gear traveling stroke, by determining the compressor’s internal refrigerant pressure
(inside the compressor’s housing). RCV’s are spring-loaded, pressure-sensitive devices that sense the compressor’s internal pressure and “push or pull” the piston gear or increase a swash plate angle, depending on the compressor’s type.

The main reason for using a variable stroke compressor is that it is a more efficient pump; it reduces fuel consumption
compared to conventional compressors.

Additionally, if working correctly, these compressors also allow for a smoother engine operation as they never cycle on
and off, something that is annoying to many drivers. Conventional systems (fixed stroke) use thermostats or lowpressure cutoff switches and compressor operation is intermittent.

GM systems equipped with variable stroke compressors do not have a low pressure cut off switch and they can run
with as little as 15% of the system’s charge. They do, however, have switches to cut the compressor off if a high-pressure condition is detected. This may disconcert the driver because they will notice their compressor is still running yet no cold air comes through the vents. RCV failures won’t keep the compressor from running either. If it quits, the compressor’s ability to move the refrigerant inside the system is just reduced. On the other hand, VW systems, with the SD7V16 compressor, shut the compressor down if a low-pressure condition is detected
(thanks to a trinary switch in the drier).




يعني في أسوأ الاحوال لو مش عايز تشتري RCV جديد و من غير ما تفضي التكيف و تشحنو تاني إنت ممكن تعمل تعديل بسيط على دايرة التكيف وتحوله لكمبرسور عادي....بس حتحتاج تضيف ثرموستات للدايرة بالتوالي مع ريلي التكييف