Date:         Fri, 22 May 2009 09:18:16 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@Q.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@Q.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon AC set up 2 condensers?
In-Reply-To:  <BAY0-PAMC1-F91TGbjd00009a80@bay0-pamc1-f9.bay0.hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Date:    Thu, 21 May 2009 23:57:09 -0700
> From:    Peter Kote <pkote@YAHOO.COM>
> Subject: Re: Vanagon AC set up 2 condensers?
>
> i have heard of people installing two condensers one below the car.=A0 i ha=
> ve a 90 2 wheel drive and this does sound appealing.=A0 Does anyone have ex=
> perience? cost? worth the price and effort? any advise?=A0
> pete
>
>

You can put one underneath, opposite the propane tank, under the sliding
door.  A condenser will run you around $80-100 and another $50-120 for a
fan, depending on where you source your parts.  You'll also have the
hoses and fittings which, again, depending on where you buy, and how
many new hoses you install, can run anywhere from $50 up.   If you do
this, just remember that the receiver/drier must be located between the
*last* condenser and either of your evaporators, so if you have one
mounted in a front wheel well, you'll have to move it rearward.

> Can someone measure and give me the dimensions of the Vanagon AC condenser
> for late model 90-91 factory AC.
>
>

They're all basically the same.  The late model condensers are solid,
whereas the earlier models had no fins/tubes behind the crossbar that's
between the grills.  Both about 17" high by 21" wide.
> I'm looking into whether or not I can find a super efficient condenser in
> the specialty aftermarket air suppliers....that will fit in place....and
> increase cooling capacity for for my dual AC setup (Westy overhead in the
> rear....Behr in dashboard).
>

Any new parallel flow condenser will be much more efficient than the fin
and tube OE units.  But the closest in size I could find was a 14" x
21", or 17" x 15" (basically a wash).  I installed the 17" x 15" in my
'86, along with an R-134a retrofit, and it works better than with R-12
and the old condenser.  I had the split condenser, however, so it had
the same surface area as the replacement unit.  Take a look at
http://www.ackits.com/c/Parallel/Parallel+Flow+Condensers+-+Aluminum.html

Although I haven't found a source for them, if you can find parallel
flow units in, say 12" x 21", you could probably stuff two of them up
front.  You should have just enough room to stack them vertically, and
you'd have to fabricate a "U" connection to tie them in in series.  Bear
in mind, however, that the more efficient you make the front condenser,
the hotter the air will be hitting the radiator.  If you do a stacking
arrangement like this, you will not only be restricting the airflow to
the radiator more than it is now, you'll be supplying it with warmer air
as well.  So, if you have any engine heating issues,  I'd shy away from
this approach.
> When last working, I was getting 60 degrees at the front vents....still
> very welcome when outside temps are in the 90's...but I'd like to explore
> ways to get those vent temps down.
>
> Maybe have to install two condensers...but rather not...since this is a
> Syncro...and gets bashed about underneath some.
>
Also keep in mind, any replacement condenser you get will have different
fittings, and they will not be on the bottom, like the late model OE
condensers.  At a minimum, you'll have to modify both hoses/fittings at
the condenser.  If you're running R-12, you *can* use splice fittings,
although they will leak some, but if you've switched to R-134a you'll
have much bigger problems with leakage.

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)