Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 19:19:25 -0700
Reply-To: Bill Gibson <bill.bgibson@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Gibson <bill.bgibson@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Fwd: An AC idea for driving and camping
In-Reply-To: <9b47937e0707081850s1acee0e5h7b6c4dfa52de5cf4@mail.gmail.com>
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bill Gibson <bill.bgibson@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 8, 2007 6:50 PM
Subject: Re: An AC idea for driving and camping
To: Edward Maglott <emaglott@buncombe.main.nc.us>
I use a swampy in southern arizona; works great in our <dry> air for
blowing cooler air across you but doesn't refrigerate at all of
course. The 3-speed fan is as powerful as you'd want with most dc
wiring; on the highest speed you can melt insulation and many dc
socketswith the current drawn if you haven't wired for it, so I use it
on medium speed most of the time. Once the dew point gets to 55
degrees Fahrenheit, it won't help unless you like humid.
I've seen the kooleraires at a solar festival, and they look like a
fine alternative, simple, the sort of thing you could home brew, but
already done.
On 7/8/07, Edward Maglott <emaglott@buncombe.main.nc.us> wrote:
> Have you or anybody used these in a humid area? How much do they cost?
> Edward
>
> At 06:30 PM 7/8/2007, justin - wrote:
> >not cheap, but simple and works great
> >
> >http://swampy.net/wb.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >----------
> > > Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 17:55:58 -0400
> > > From: emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US
> > > Subject: An AC idea for driving and camping
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > >
> > > So I've got my '86 Westy, and it's AC system is not working. Over
> > > the years I've tried the $30 switch to R134a and replaced the leaking
> > > expansion valve, and got a little cool out of it, but not enough to
> > > keep the van cool while driving. I really need to replace the
> > > receiver/dryer and figure out where it continues to leak slowly.
> > >
> > > But I'd also like to have AC when I visit a campground in the
> > > summer. I've seen the rigs to mount the window AC unit in the
> > > passenger window or in the luggage rack. They seem to require more
> > > setup/take down time than I'd ideally like. I do like the fact that
> > > you just leave the whole thing at home in the cooler months.
> > >
> > > So here's my idea. Use one of those freestanding rolling AC units
> > > that has air exchange hoses to connect to a window. Strap it in
> > > place somewhere like behind the passenger seat. hook hoses to handy
> > > window with DIY adapter plate. While camping it uses shore power--
> > > easy. For driving it runs off an inverter connected to aux
> > > battery. Here's my concept breakthrough: replace the AC compressor
> > > on the engine with another alternator. They're cheap, even for an 80
> > > or 100 amp model. 100 amps = 1200 watts. Should be pretty easy to
> > > fabricate a bracket to mount the additional alternator. It will not
> > > put much load on the engine when there is no load on it, or it's belt
> > > could be removed in the off season.
> > >
> > > Questions/Ideas: Is 1200 watts enough to power an AC unit big enough
> > > to cool a vanagon going down the road on a hot day? Or one parked in
> > > the sun with the top up? I'm thinking some adjustable air deflectors
> > > inside the van to direct the cool air toward the drivers when driving
> > > or elsewhere when not. Maybe big flexible hose for that? Perhaps
> > > the outside air heat exchanger could take advantage of ram air when
> > > moving to improve efficiency?
> > >
> > > Edward (also added another vanagon post on my blog
> > > http://gismemories.blogspot.com )
>
--
Bill Gibson
Tempe, Arizona, USA
--
Bill Gibson
Tempe, Arizona, USA
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