Date:         Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:09:24 -0700
Reply-To:     PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Gary Lee curtain rod?
Comments: To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <46A5420B.90002@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On a van of the past, I put a tension curtain rod from side wall to side
wall, as high up as it would stay.  To hide the opening at the top  left by
the curve of the ceiling, I made a ruffle on the top of the curtain.   This
type of curtain didn't require any drilling or screwing.  When I get to the
"curtain stage" of my Westy redecorating project, I'll make a curtain like
this for my Westy.
Patti
90 Westy Automatic

On 7/23/07, Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Stephen Grisanti typed:
> >> so new curtains are in the works. Something in a
> >> cheerful floral pattern, maybe tulle. With flounces.
> >
> > Whatever you do, consider a layer of insulation.
> > Also, my bride took our curtains and lined the back of
> > them with reflective ironing board fabric which aids
> > considerably in keeping the interior of the van cool.
>
> It seems to me that once some curtain of any reasonable thickness that
> convective cooling (air next to cold window glass falls toward floor of
> van, slowly filling it with cold air from the downdrafts until occupants
> are gasping for warm) has a larger influence on how cold it gets inside
> rather than radiative losses. Of course, if the curtains were just
> something gauzy, then radiative losses would be pretty big, but I wonder
> how much additional warmth is added by thickening the curtains.
>
> I guess what I'm asking is if the curtains were made of 2'' foam, but
> spaced an inch away from the glass so the cold air would continue to
> drop into the van -- how much different would that be than some thinner
> material?
>
> I could be wrong.* We coastal southern Californians have such a
> remarkably poor grasp of cold.
>
> I like the idea of reflective backing, though. Do you recall how much
> thickness or stiffness it added to the curtains?
>
> >
> > I mean "cooler."  The van is already totally cool.
>
> I should say so. Watch what you say!
>
> -------
> * Like this would be the first time!
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR
>