Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2001 05:04:47 -0700
Reply-To: TinkerMan <tinkerman007@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TinkerMan <tinkerman007@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: ## IMPORTANT!!! (was: Re: insane a/c project)
In-Reply-To: <00ea01c12e25$14e98340$6401a8c0@nc.rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
IMO, no mount could stand a serious sudden jolt
(either head-on or being hit grom the back).
The sliding window rack (on which your mount is
attached to) could easily be ripped off.
Especially when your heavy A/C unit couldn't be
perfectly balanced against the window frame. You said
yourself it would be protruding just 4" outside when
driving. That's much worse than the balanced
situation.
In no way could it compare for example with the back
seat backrest for strength.
Seriously, I would NEVER do what you're contemplating.
The danger is just too great. The only situation where
you could say your mount is safe is if you'd run it
through all the safety tests the manufacturers do.
*NEVER* rely only on theoretical safety. *ALWAYS* test
it in the lab or you'll be surprised...
cheers,
T-man
--- Joe Reed <joe.reed@mindspring.com> wrote:
> I don't think you'd find the mounts "inadequate" --
> I'm wondering why you
> would automatically assume that they were, without
> having any idea how we've
> engineered that. We haven't forgotten about worst
> case scenarios -- that has
> been foremost in our minds while designing the
> safety of the mounting
> system...since the last thing I want going through
> my mind is an ac unit.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "TinkerMan" <tinkerman007@yahoo.com>
> To: <joe.reed@MINDSPRING.COM>
> Cc: "Vanagon mailing list"
> <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2001 6:51 AM
> Subject: ## IMPORTANT!!! (was: Re: insane a/c
> project)
>
>
> > Please make note that all accessories installed in
> a
> > car must pass safety tests including accident
> > simulations. For example, Your back seat backrest
> is
> > specially re-enforced to withstand the luggage
> weight
> > in your luggage compartment when colliding head-on
> (to
> > a limit, of course), to avoid having all the stuff
> > "flying over" the passengers heads.
> > Anything added by a DIY dude might not take all
> safety
> > considerations in mind. In your specific
> situation, a
> > head-on collision will send your window installed
> A/C
> > unit (ripping it's inadequate mounts) towards the
> back
> > of your head, in perfect synchronization with
> whatever
> > is coming from the front (such as the steering
> wheel,
> > glass, etc.)!!!
> > A perfect "sandwich" situation...:-)
> >
> > Think it over, pal. People keep forgetting about
> > "worst case" situations, when that's really what
> > should be taken in mind.
> >
> > cheers, T-man.
> >
> > --- Joe Reed <joe.reed@MINDSPRING.COM> wrote:
> > > Somehow it seems suited that I post this on a
> > > Friday...
> > >
> > > Some other blokes and I are rigging my 87 Westy
> with
> > > a very small 6000BTU
> > > window a/c....on a 15-amp inverter with a
> separate
> > > battery tied into
> > > charging system, etc etc. so it can run while
> > > mobile, with only <4"
> > > extending out the window. When parked, the unit
> > > slides out on a shelf (the
> > > front of which is on casters rolling across the
> sink
> > > cover) and is
> > > stabilized externally by an adjustable brace to
> the
> > > ground, and only <3" are
> > > inside...since the window in question is the one
> > > behind the driver/above the
> > > sink, this will allow the cover to open when
> parked.
> > > Obviously, while parked
> > > it can run on standard AC power when available.
> > >
> > > The unit weighs just 41 pounds (with the weight
> > > primarily in the front), and
> > > is only 12" high by 16" wide and 14" deep.
> > > Heavy-duty cables as safety
> > > straps and redundant locking mechanisms will be
> in
> > > place so that it's locked
> > > down tight while traveling.
> > >
> > > Sliding shelf will rest on a reinforced frame
> > > installed over the aluminum
> > > window frame (protecting it) left once the
> sliding
> > > glass is removed
> > > (stationary half of the window left in place).
> > >
> > > In the winter, unbolt the frame, remove the a/c,
> and
> > > reinstall the sliding
> > > glass. Turn on the heat.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Once we have it completely drawn up and ready to
> > > begin installation, I'll
> > > take pix recording this absurd effort and set up
> a
> > > website or something.
> > >
> > >
> > > ~ Name withheld to protect the stupid
> > > (oops it's in my e-mail address...I *am* stupid)
> > > 87 Westy
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute
> with Yahoo! Messenger
> > http://phonecard.yahoo.com/
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger
http://phonecard.yahoo.com/
| 
