Date:         Sat, 30 Mar 2002 08:56:44 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Hannink <tjhannink@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Air Conditioner
Comments: To: David Wilhite <dnmwilhite@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I had the same thought myself until I went to price out 12V power supplies.
The main fuse for the A/C power distribution block is 50A so you would need
a supply that put out close to that amount to run the evaporator fans,
compressor clutch, radiator fan and the relays full time.

I couldn't find any info on how much horsepower a compressor uses except
some general statements of 7-10 hp. My thought was to remove the A/C belt
and run a different belt to the electric motor which would be mounted in
front of the left taillight.

I haven't modified the body at all yet, but I will need to drill a hole for
the drain line. That hole will go in the vertical duct behind the drivers
door where I have previously put a hole to run my antenna, audio and video
cables to my TV tuner which is mounted on the front (van relative) of the
jumpseat. I have modified the jumpseat pedestal by raising the seat frame
1", but it is made of regular 16 gauge galvanized sheet metal and could be
reproduced by any sheet metal shop if needed.

Thanks,

Tim Hannink
Winter Park, Florida
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/


-----Original Message-----
From:   David Wilhite [SMTP:dnmwilhite@EARTHLINK.NET]
Sent:   Saturday, March 30, 2002 8:19 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: Air Conditioner

I use the hang in window air conditioner on my van when camping during the
summer myself, but have always been thinking of other solutions.

I was wondering if anybody has considered the following method.
Install an AC motor in the engine bay with a belt going to the compressor.
 Put a double clutch on the vehicle air conditioner compressor to handle
the belt from the AC motor and the engine.  Use a transformer/invertor to
change the 120 VAC to 12 VDC to run the interior air conditioner duct fan
and the fan up front behind the radiator.  This would be ideal, because
there would be no modifications to the vanagon body itself and no apprec
iable space would be used.

I haven't researched how much horsepower the air conditioner compressor
uses or if a double clutch unit is available.  My thinking is that these
would be the two hang ups for following through on this idea.

Thoughts?
--


86' Syncro GL (for sale)
84' Subaruvanagon Westy
01' KLR650