Date:         Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:21:45 -0800
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      New van acoustics
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I did a trial run with 10 acoustic fibreglas ceiling tiles cut to fit inside
the various accessible voids in the van (two layers), plus hi density tiles
laid above the engine. I think I will glue these three to a 1/8" thick sheet
of fibreboard so the whole thing can be lifted out when I want access to the
engine hatch (I was originally going to cut out an opening for the hatch).

It was an interesting experience installing this stuff; the further along I
went, it got warmer and quieter it became inside. In the beginning I could
hear my hair growing; with no interior it was like being inside a drum. But
as I added the tile everything became more muffled. I took it for a drive on
the highway and it was an interesting experience, it was still loud but the
tone was different - the high frequencies are attenuated but the low are
still there; it is now more like a deep roar.

Looking in the back there is a still a great deal of uncovered tin (don't
have any of the finish panels installed yet. Revving the engine I could feel
the frames and uncovered metal vibrating, and this is why there is still
noise. Some of this will be covered when I put the final panels on but there
is still a lot of exposed tin in the vans that will conduct sound. I think I
will fill some of these frame voids with expanding foam which might help.

Once I paint my custom sound dampener on the walls and the finished interior
is installed I think it will make a big difference.

I also noticed a great difference in how quickly the van warmed up this
time.

Happy New year everyone.