Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:02:20 -0600
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: RoadHaus - Front AC Kit Install / Final Report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Get your ass out on the road Larry.
We want to know how that Van handles the extra 1200 pounds of gear and
add on luxuries you bought.
We also want to see how your satellite Web connection works.
Stop hanging around the house .............. it'll be cheaper when you
leave. You'll be busy all day and you won't have time to think about
spending money or adding more Van equipment.
PS: Don't forget to pack some toilet tissue.
Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia
On Fri, 20 Dec 2002 14:45:33 -0700 Larry Chase <lchase@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
writes:
> Volks,
>
> I couple of months ago ... I purchased a Front Air Conditioning
> Unit,
> had it Installed and the Rear A/C Rebuilt by European Cooler Air of
> Dallas, TX.
>
> Yeah I know .... Hard to think about A/C this time of the year.
>
> Here's my Final Vendor/Product Report:
>
> European Cooler Air, Inc.
> 972-771-3791
> 2671 East FM 552
> Rockwall, Texas 75087
>
> E-mail: Jerry West jwest@europeancoolerair.com
>
> http://www.europeancoolerair.com/repair01.htm
>
> Vehicle:1990 Westy Syncro with existing Rear AC.
>
> My work order:
>
> Purchase & install Front A/C Kit
> Rebuild Existing Rear OE A/C
> Convert Existing system to Freeze 12 (preferred by installer)
> Replace A/C Hoses
> Replace Existing A/C Compressor with a higher capacity 10ci unit.
>
> Cost: Front A/C Kit is $650 (not including installation) Other work
> was
> extra.
>
> Total bill approx $1800
>
> Front A/C Kit Component Photos:
>
> http://www.fototime.com/inv/56FC8E86B84B48A
>
> Front A/C Installed Photos:
>
> http://www.fototime.com/inv/CAA19FEA9AD899D
>
>
> QUALITY:
>
> On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best):
>
> Workmanship: 7
> Customer Service: 9
> Quality of Materials: 9
> Completed on Time: 7
>
>
> COMMENTS:
>
> What Worked,
>
> Front AC Performance:
>
> Before leaving Dallas I put a temp gauge in the front right AC
> vent.
> Temps got down to around 30 degrees F in a few minutes with outside
> temps in the 70's.
>
> Since then I have taken additional measurements and each time the
> front
> system seems to get down to 25-29 degrees F within a few minutes.
> The
> outside temperatures have been between 50 - 70 degrees F.
>
> Won't truly know till this summer. But as of now .... Performance
> seems
> great.
>
> Air flow coming out of the vents decreases from right to center to
> left
> as you would expect. Comparing the air flow to Warren Chapman's
> front
> Behr Unit I saw at Van-O-Rama .... I would say the Behr puts out
> more
> air flow. I think this unit will be adequate but wished there was a
> tad
> more flow out the drivers vent. Also the fan motor seems pretty
> quiet.
>
> The visual outside appearance of the front AC Kit is excellent. The
> only
> thing you see if the tall center vent I opted for. The existing left
> /
> right fresh air vents are used for the other vents. Also ... because
> of
> this, the outside air intake is blocked off .. so you loose the
> fresh
> air capability. Not an issue for me, but might be for some folks.
>
> The Kit is so small ... It fits up under the dash without it's
> removal.
> See photo's in the Installed Album. And you really don't loose any
> significant space in your glove box ... Like you do with the Behr
> unit.
>
>
> What Didn't Work,
>
> The work was estimated to take 1 1/2 days but took 3 days.
>
> After leaving Dallas and crawling thru the install a bit .... some
> minor
> things were not done too well.
>
> Example:
>
> 1. The front AC install requires new hoses thru the firewall behind
> the
> right head light. I left Dallas in a terrible rain storm. At the
> first
> Gas stop 250 miles down the road .... I noticed the passenger carpet
> was
> soaking wet.
>
> Days later when I had time to investigate I discovered that no
> grommets
> or sealant were used were the hoses went thru the firewall. Easy to
> fix
> .... but should not have been installed this way.
>
> 2. One of the main long A/C hoses was a bit too long .... Excess
> length
> was just tucked up under the frame ... Not secured in a tidy neat
> manner.
>
> 3. The new electrical wiring was kind of strung along and wound
> around
> existing A/C Hoses.
>
> All easy to correct, but should have been done more professionally.
>
> 4. The AC controls had to be rerouted a bit.
>
> You end up with three controls.
>
> Compressor
> Front Fan
> Rear Fan
>
> The rear fan control is now mounted in the Syncro Decoupler cluster.
> One
> other installation peeve ... Jerry never asked if that's where I
> wanted
> it ... he decided on his own.
>
> In my case, no problem. But really should be discussed ahead of
> time.
>
>
> What I'd Do Different,
>
> I'd purchase the Front A/C Kit from European Cooler Air and have a
> trusted and know local A/C shop do the install.
>
> I'd walk thru all possible control placement, firewall sealing etc
> issues ahead of time and agree on a plan for each.
>
> - - -
>
> IN SUMMARY ..... I believe this Front A/C Kit is a good solution
> that
> will greatly improve the Vanagon OE A/C system performance.
>
> I would recommend it for purchase.
>
> If you have any questions ..... please feel free to email me.
>
>
> Larry Chase
>
> Email: lchase@attglobal.net
> Web: www.roadhaus.com - Under Construction
> What: The Great North American Road Trip
> When: Early 2003
> How: RoadHaus - 1990 2.2 L VW Westfalia Syncro
> Today: Mesa, AZ - 12V Stuff
> From: Mesa, AZ
>
>
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