Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:54:08 -0700
Reply-To: mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: AC While Camping
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2010061006291120@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Yes, the Honda 2000 is very capable of continuously running a small AC
unit. Even the smaller Honda 1000 can do almost it (but with more fuel
consumption in my experience, among other drawbacks.)
I'm not sure that the noise level would be acceptable with a window unit
mounted entirely inside the van. The noise issue is one of my biggest
objections to both the AC and generator use. I have not used them while
camping exactly but at a small off the grid vacation home. With extreme
heat and high humidity the need to survive over-rides the sound concerns
at some point, or so I have found.
I installed a 12 volt swamp cooler into my Westy front luggage rack many
years ago. I cut a hole down through the ceiling between the front seats
with the vent aimed to the rear bed. This came in handy for hot desert
camping but eventually I found that 1 or 2 small 12 volt fans inside the
van were enough 99% of the time after we also got a 3 window canvas. I
removed the swamp cooler yesterday, and patched the roof hole.
Every time I mention it people ask this so I will say it now. The swamp
cooler was only for use while parked with the engine off. We put water
in it only under low humidity conditions. The high rate of air exchange
it provided made it great as just a fan but the power use was too high
to be practical for continuous running other than a day or two without
driving to charge the battery. A solar panel would help, or if camped
with electrical hookup it could be fine.
Mark
Rob wrote:...............
>
> I've been thinking about building a small AC unit into the Vanagon.
> Maybe where the refrigerator is, maybe under the rear seat... The
> unit would be permanently installed and vented to put the hot air
> outside. In my mind I picture vents to the outside that look like the
> engine inlet vents on the old type2. If not that then the luggage
> rack mounted unit looks the cleanest.
> Any thoughts on where to mount one inside?
>
> On a side note I have heard that the Honda 2000 has the 'oomph' to
> power a small AC unit, anyone have any experience with that?
>
>