Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 09:15:30 -0800
Reply-To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Heater Box Question and Front Air Conditioning Revisited
In-Reply-To: <20030129163007.99857.qmail@web21308.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
This is an idea that I have been toying with for front
ventilation control:
Install a damper on the front of the airbox to control
the input of outdoor air from the front grill, using
the bottom lever on the ventilation panel to control
its operation.
This will enable you to use the existing ducting under
the airbox, inside the doors, through the 'B' pillars
to the vents in the sides of the roof panels to
recirculate interior air into the airbox.
Then you could take it a step further by installing
ducting between the outermost A/C vents and the roof
vent ducts.
Now with the front fan on and the new fresh air intake
damper closed, intake air will be drawn from the top
rear of the passenger cabin via the A/C duct housing.
With the A/C on, cold air would be pushed/pulled
through the ductwork into the bottom of the airbox
where it could be distributed via the stock fan and
output ducting. Sealing any of the other vent openings
in the roof ventilation system would also be
necessary.
I will be installing an intake damper in my spare
airbox before I replace the existing unit in the van.
I'm still looking for the best way to regulate the
airflow through this odd shaped opening(s).
Last summer, I built a cardboard duct that fit between
the outer A/C duct and the rear-most roof vent over
the sliding door. With the A/C fan on '3' I was able
to feel a cold air stream at the opening in the front
passenger door, so in priciple, this should work.
I haven't really experimented anymore since my A/C
system is working adequetely here in Florida with the
modifications to the system and vehicle that I have
already made. Sealing off the intake of the airbox has
a profound affect on the comfort level of the front
passengers especially at highway speeds.
Lastly, install a good indoor/outdoor thermometer to
quantify the effect of any changes you make to the
system.
Good luck,
=====
TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://photos.yahoo.com/tjhannink [Vanagon] Album
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo!
http://sbc.yahoo.com
