Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:58:23 -0700
Reply-To: John Lane <westy_cruisin@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Lane <westy_cruisin@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Westy Novice, Suggestions Please
In-Reply-To: <000001c6aa10$94037110$6400a8c0@MASTERPC>
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Ah. Lets see if I can help.
When I bought my 83.5 Westy I had similar issues confronting me. My resolutions are as follows.
I had planned on the possibility of dry camping and rather than investing in an inverter and second battery I bought a Honda EU1000i Generator on eBay, brand new for $627 including shipping. This little bugger runs everything, my 5200 BTU AC, my tower computer, TV, satellite TV, fridge, battery charger. I turn off the AC to run the microwave. It only uses .63 gallons of fuel for 13 hours..is quiet as can be and weighs only 29 lbs.
I have installed one 12V dc outlet, as your looking back to the coat closet, to the right and below the door. Easy to run the hot lead. I use this to plug on my Coleman Cooler..which works great and saves on ice.
I also added a second GFP oultet, replacing the pop out fuse on the ac panel, the GPF works on the stock outlet as well.
As for the cabinet lighting....I use a flash light, but have been meaning to get some of those batt powered dome stick on lights. I rarely use the light over the sink as it draws TOO MUCH power. I would recommend a flourescent assembly.
Sleeping....I am 6"1 and cannot sleep on top. It is wider, but too short for me...plus the canvas does not deaden the noise. I have a friend who sleeps with her daughter on top in their Westy and she likes it.
Hope these ideas help.
John
1983.5 Westy, "Iron Butterfly"
Perkiomenville, PA
----- Original Message ----
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 10:19:20 PM
Subject: Re: Westy Novice, Suggestions Please
As a transport vehicle, the Westy is on a 4 passenger. When you wish to
add another seat, I find a rear facing Carat style seat behind the
passenger front is easy to install and works best. The common center
seats take away from the camper openness.
The top bunk is wider than the bottom fold out. Hubby and son should fit
up there and you and daughter down below.
For an inverter, a small inverter can be mounted to the cabinet, behind
the drivers seat. If not used to often, the standard group 41 can be
installed under the drivers seat. Check the archives for many ideas on
dual battery charging.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of David Milo
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 8:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Westy Novice, Suggestions Please
Good Evening Folks (W PA)
My incredibly talented husband had succeeded in transplanting the entire
roof, westy top and canvas from a donor 1982 Westy onto our 1987 Syncro
(he
did quite a lovely job). But now we need some insight from the list.
The
interior of the van is completely stripped and ready to outfit with the
original Westy interior from the donor. We have never owned or even
operated a Westy (the closest we have come is having Maggie's "Anne
Bonnie"
in our garage a few days), nor have we camped in 14 years. Our only
experience is with our 1971 or 72 Kombi (non-poptop) that we used to
take to
the forest back when we were young and child free. (loved that poor,
rusty
old van, many good memories)
Here's our situation. We have a 17 yr old son (high school senior who
is
the primary driver of the vehicle), and a 6 (7 in August) daughter. Our
thoughts (rationalization) for creating the Westy were that it would
allow
us to take short trips around the eastern half of the country (relatives
in
Chicago, maybe see Maine, and camp in the Allegheny National Forest here
in
Pennsylvania on the occasional long weekend). Most of the time, though,
it
will be family/marching band transportation.
About the only thing I could come up with for a wish list was an
inverter
(?) and a second battery so that we could take along rechargeable
batteries and their charger for the digital camera, and plug in the
laptop
so that our daughter could watch DVDs during a long drive, or play on
her
Sony PSP One (very old, but hey, it works). The PSP, however, has a
cable
for the "lighter" and will run from the 12V (so where's the best place
for
an outlet accessible to the back seat?) and we could get a similar cable
for
the laptop instead of running it from 120V. Is an inverter necessary?
We
have a wireless card for the laptop so we can access the internet
wherever
we can find a hotspot (gotta read the list, you know).
We've been looking at photos and websites of Westy owners and I see some
interesting lighting additions. I don't anticipate needing to read in
bed,
but I do want to be able to see into the lockers, etc. My guess is that
the
stove will be used primarily to heat water for coffee in the morning
(have a
holder for a filter that sits over the thermos so you use the pour
through
method like the old Chemex coffee makers). Any major cooking will be
outside on the Coleman stove (I don't think want the lingering
smell/grease
of bacon in the van).
We purchased a screen tent and anticipate that Dave and I will occupy
the
fold out bed, our daughter will be in the upper bunk and our son,
outside on
a cot/sleeping bag in the tent.
That's about as far as we have thought things through. Your experience
and
advice is needed!
Thanks! Sandy Milo
1987 Syncro (now Westy) 2.2 Subaru (Annie)
1991 Carat 2.2 Subaru (Betsy)
1990 Volvo 240 (Krusty Crab)
1967 Sunbeam Alpine (gee, it really doesn't have a name)
1990
