Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2002, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 25 Oct 2002 00:32:56 EDT
Reply-To:     Roq8cyans@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Johnson <Roq8cyans@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Aircooled Heat inline fan?
Comments: To: CTTAPER@aol.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

The fan should be mounted as far forward as possible to keep it from being cooked by the outlet heat from the heaterboxes. A good installation spot would be over the spare tire (but be advised that it will not supply the floor vent in the step at the back edge of the drivers' compartment if mounted at that point in the duct). Note that in any case, the fan and motor will be operating above their design temperature, and service life may be measured in months (the fan blade melts and the motor's permanent magnets lose their magnetism). I would suggest using quick-disconnect connectors (such as spade lug connectors) and keeping a spare fan unit on hand with matching connectors to enable a quick replacment if needed. Recirculation presents a slight problem, in that after shutdown the hot air from the heat exchangers will flow back up into the cabin through the recirculation intake duct -- great in winter, not so good in summer. A spring-loaded or counterbalanced door is needed in the duct to keep the air from flowing back into the cabin, and if you seal the heaterbox intake completely, there is a possiblity of damaging the heaterboxes from uneven cooling. One possibility for a _partial_ recirculation system would be to run a duct from under the back seat to a tee connection with the crossover pipe between the stock blower and left heaterbox, while leaving the remainder of the system intact. Feed it with an inline blower such as the one you have already (the crossover tube is approximately 3" dia, so you'll need to step the duct size down somewhere along the way) and include a anti-backflow door as mentioned above. Put the door between the fan and the duct to prolong the life of the fan. That's what I'm planning to do with my van this winter, anyhow, if fiddling with the cables and flaps doesn't result in sufficient heat.

Rusty Ogden, UT '80 Westy -- The VW Campmobile Formerly Known As Vanagon Valdiz (sp)

In a message dated 10/24/02 5:47:08 PM Mountain Daylight Time, CTTAPER@AOL.COM writes:

<snip> the inline fan but not > sure > where to mount it and if I should hot wire it off the battery using a fuse > of > course or go through the fuse box? Also to make it a recurculating system do > I take off the rubber elbow at the alternator and run a hose to the interior > back to the plastic cage? Would the cause the alternator to run hot? > TIA > Kevin > 80 Westy


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.