Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 10:46:57 -0500
Reply-To: Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@HEWITT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@HEWITT.COM>
Subject: Re: questions from a Vanagon novice
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi Joy,
Welcome to the list and to the wonderful world of Westies. I envy
the adventure that you're embarking upon --- keep us up-to-date on your
journey.I'll try and answer some of your questions and I'm sure other
listee's will chime in too.
Electrical power: Many listees have installed (including me) have
installed auxiliary batteries --- mostly in the compartment behind the
driver's seat. My impression of the list consensus (dangerous ground I
know) is that you want a deep-cycle ---- one that is made for cycles of
deep discharge and then re-charging. A standard 'starting' automotive
battery is not suitable for this. The deep-cycle batteries are made for
marine and RV applications --- one that is oft discussed favourably on the
list is the Optima Yellowtop battery. I'll send you install instructions
from the Toronto Vanagon Club webpage which is currently off-line (though
soon to be resurrected) in a p-mail since the list doesn't accept
attachments.
Once you have the extra battery you need an inverter to produce AC power
for your laptop and whatever other AC needs you have. You're gong to have
to figure power requirements here --- it it's just a laptop a 300 watt
inverter is more than enough. Keep in mind that you can get almost any
kind of appliance in 12 Volts DC --- and you should if you're going to use
the appliance more than infrequently.
The whole power situation also depends on how mobile you are ---- if
you're going to be driving for at least an hour or so a day then you can
charge both the spare battery and your laptop whenever the engine is on
---- but if you're going to be parked a fair bit and using power away from
a convenient plug ---- you'll have to start thinking solar power.
New poptop windows. Don't see why you couldn't do this --- I and a number
of other listee's have replaced the front screen's on the poptop ---- it's
a lot of arduous hand sewing; thought worth it in the end.
Roof racks: I was eyeing this $50 Thule clone
http://www.a1-autoracks.com/proline-gmr165-rain-gutter-racks.html until I
found something comparable locally. --- then you need artificial rain
gutters
http://www.prolineracks.com/shop/index.php?keywords=artificial+rain+gutters&shop=1
---- which allow you to fit your racks to the poptop so you can lift the
poptop with the racks on ---- you don't say what kind of hardware you're
getting from your friend so it's hard to comment further.
Fridge ----- you say that the pilot light won't light --- but you don't
say if the fridge itself is working on propane. If you think the fridge is
lit you can confirm this by peering into a tiny glass tube in the back
left bottom corner of the fridge at the dark of a moonless night.
Seriously, it's very hard to see the glow from the firebox but it is
possible. Some listees cover themselves and the fridge interior in
blankets to see this cabalistic glow (I'm not making this up) another
trick is to take an empty paper towel roll and jam one end into the corner
and look down the other to see if that &*^*&^*&ing fridge is lit. If your
fridge just won't light here are a couple of links that enabled me to get
my fridge going a few years ago.
http://www.type2.com/bartnik/fridge.htm
http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/fridge.htm
>>Are there networks among you for people who want to
meet each other in their travelers?
This list is one --- another is vwvanfulltimers at Yahoo Groups.
Incidentally, that group is moderated by Larry Chase, a member of this
list, who (and this is an auspicious day) has been on the road in his
Syncro Westy "Roadhaus" for exactly one year today. Check out his site at
www.roadhaus.com .
Best of luck on your journey --- keep us posted.
Cheers,
Doug
Toronto, Canada
"Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sent by: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
02/22/2004 08:43 AM
Please respond to "Joy Hecht"
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject: questions from a Vanagon novice
Hi folks,
I've been reading the list with interest and thought it was time to send
in
a few questions. I'm sorry if these seem naive - I'm a newbie to
Vanagons.
I just got my (first?) vanagon in November, and mostly haven't gone
anywhere
in it - though for not going anywhere, I've had enough repairs done! I
hope
this isn't a trend.
Matilda is a 1989 burgundy Westy with 130K miles on original engine. I am
moving into her - I kind of already have, gave up my apartment, sold all
my
furniture, gave away much of my stuff, and put the rest in the basement of
a
house where some friends live, though I own it. At the moment I'm still
parked in "my" driveway while I finish off some work, but by mid-March I
should be on the road. (I consult for a living, can do that from anywhere
-
that's how I can, I hope, pull this off and stay solvent.)
I'm a real non-techie, regarding both auto mechanics and everything else,
so
I have lots of questions. Here's a few to start - none related to
actually
keeping Matilda running:
- Electric power. Here in the driveway, Matilda is plugged into the
garage
outlet, so I have light, heat, computer, radio, and the ability to
recharge
my cellphone. On the road that won't be so easy. Does anyone have
experience with having a second battery to provide these services? What
kind of battery should I get, how do I connect it to the first battery,
how
do I plug things into it, and how much can I expect to be able to run off
a
second battery?
- Pop-top canvas. Mine is in okay condition, not too beat up. I was
thinking of replacing it in order to have three windows, but then started
to
think I might be able to put additional windows in the current canvas. (I
have no other technical skills, but I can sew.) Has anyone ever done
that?
Do you have any advice?
- Roof racks. I will be carrying a long skinny kayak on my roof.
I'm
looking at Yakima racks. A friend is giving me most of the pieces,
actually, ones he doesn't use any more. I have not yet sorted out how to
attach them to the pop top. Does anyone have experience with Yakima racks
on their Westy, and which hardware did you need?
- Refrigerator. The previous owner of Matilda said the refrigerator
didn't
work, but I said he had to fix it before I'd buy. So he did - but when I
actually showed up to buy her, we could not get the pilot lit. We tried
and
tried and tried, to no avail. Finally he cut the price and I took her.
Other than this, the refrigerator (apparently - according to the repair
place) does work - electric and battery are okay. (I can't really test it
now, as it's cold outside and the refrigerator is very cold even without
being in operation.) Does anyone have experience with uncooperative
Dometic
refrigerator pilot lights? I've read some of the stuff on the web about
repairs on Dometic refrigerators, and tried to find repair people, without
success. I assume there's some kind of starter for the pilot? Anyhow, if
anyone knows much about pilot lights on these refrigerators, please let me
know!
I'll be heading south from the DC area in March when I hit the road -
Chapel
Hill, Outer Banks, Charleston, Savannah, Georgia coast (good kayaking),
and
I don't know where after that. I'm open to suggestions, and would love to
meet other Vanagoners.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you with any advice you can offer!
Joy
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Joy E. Hecht
Consultant on Environmental Policy and Information
jhecht@alum.mit.edu
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
