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Date:         Wed, 16 Jun 2004 13:08:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM>
Subject:      Re: R12 to R134a Air Conditioning Conversion
Comments: To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20040616162441.95703.qmail@web60307.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I have brand new everything and the biggest and most efficient condenser available, should be, cost enough. Still doesn't do it.

Rats.

Mike

On 6/16/04 9:24 AM, "TJ Hannink" <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> Mike Miller <mwmiller@CWNET.COM> wrote: > >> I'm thinking of adding a second condenser under the van. > > > A better idea would be to replace the current condenser with a parallel flow > type. In order for a condenser to work properly, it needs to have airflow, I'm > not sure it will get it mounted under the van especially when stopped; it will > tend to soak up a lot of heat from the road surface. I haven't found a direct > replacement for the stock condenser yet but a good A/C shop should be able to > adapt one to your van. Make sure you get one that has the same or larger > amount of surface area. Also keep your current condenser clean and the crappy > cardboard deflectors in place around it so all the outside air goes through > and not around the condenser/radiator. > > Though its not necessary, I would suggest replacing all the refrigerant lines, > especially if you live someplace where you use your A/C every day or if any of > your existing lines have been spliced. R-134a operates at much higher > pressures to achieve the same amount of cooling as R-12, the flexible rubber > hoses are the weak link. > > Cleaning out the evaporator coils is also a good idea. It would involve > lowering the cabinet or housing, but chances are its never been cleaned and is > full of dirt. I installed a filter on the input side of my evaporator after I > cleaned it. > > The biggest problem I have found with the A/C in Campers doesn't have anything > to do with the A/C at all, its the amount of outside air coming in the van > through the heater/defroster/fresh air vents on the dash. The incoming outside > air makes an 'air bubble' in the front area of the van and keeps the cold air > from reaching the front cabin. > > In order to stop the infiltration of outside air, close the > heater/defroster/fresh air vent controls and turn the heater/defroster fan on > high. Check each vent for air leakage; if you find it, you can either tear the > dash out and reseal the airbox flaps or plug the vents themselves with some > foam rubber blocks. > > Make sure that both of the blower fans are working on '86 and up vans. They > tend to blow fuses and burn wiring harnesses; its hard to tell if both fans > are working so you need to phyisically check them. I increased the size of the > wiring to the main fuse because I was melting terminals and fuse blocks. > > The A/C in my camper will keep me comfortable in +98F temperatures once the > interior of the van cools. If I leave it parked out in the sun, that can take > 15-20 minutes. Fortunately, I get to park in a parking garage while at work, > so it doesn't have to work too hard on the way home from work. > > BTW, the Florida Association of Vanagon Owners (F.A.V.O.R) is camping out the > weekend of June 26th and 27th at Jonathan Dickenson State Park in Hobe Sound, > FL. All are welcome, reservations are recommended if you want to camp though; > we will be in sites 50-60. > > I am bringing Goldibox, but will be towing her behind the Wanderlodge, my wife > will be driving her back on Sunday evening. > > Good luck, > > > TJ Hannink > Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition > 1981 Bluebird Wanderlodge, FC-33 > Winter Park, Florida > http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers > http://photos.yahoo.com/tjhannink [Vanagon] Album > FAVOR website: http://home.earthlink.net/~clubvanagon > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > >


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