Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 21:07:23 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Subject: Re: An AC idea for driving and camping
In-Reply-To: <BAY113-W12A5F5499BC3351E5DCA92A0070@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
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
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>----------
> > 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 )
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