Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 19:54:37 -0400
Reply-To: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Subject: Air Conditioner Use while camping
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2010060713321460@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; delsp=yes; format=flowed
I am trying to address one of the wife's chief complaints about
longer duration summer trips in the Westy... A/C while camping and
especially overnight.
Typically, our OhioValleyTribe VW camping group does a June trip
using campgrounds with hookups. We are planning on attending this
year's outing.
Yesterday afternoon I did a search of the archives on the subject of
A/C while camping. "Long Gone" TK has a hanging bracket available on-
line
with a window mount unit. Another member actually offered a "funnel
tarp"(my words) for the luggage rack A/C mounted unit.
Last night on the van we played around with a 5K BTU unit in the
passenger door window and then on the top in the luggage rack.
I temporarily enclosed the unit in each location by using a small
tarp to minimize air loss.
Once up in the rack, the A/C unit I used seemed to do a much better
job in the luggage rack as the cool air naturally dropped down into
the cabin.
Storing the unit while driving and lugging it about for mounting in
the window seemed a bit problematic.
Also, TK's approach wouldn't allow opening/using the passenger door
while the A/C unit is in place(Alternately, I guess the driver's door
could be used for the unit.)
Accordingly, it looks like I'm going to try the luggage rack approach
to the problem; with the following issues:
• The 5K unit is a bit heavier than I would like, but it's what we've
got. We used to have a 3K unit that would be perfect for the Westy.
• I'll need to prop the hot end of the unit up so the cool face is
even with the pop top window's bottom, while sitting on the back edge
of the luggage rack.
I plan on using a solid block of Styrofoam® for that purpose, with a
bungee cord to hold the unit in place.
• I used an old sheet to produce a pattern for the tarp (funnel)
enclosure. I'll pin it up on this test trip, before deciding on the
best method of attaching it more permanently.
• This trip I'lI will cover the unit with a trash bag and later make
another cover for the unit while it travels up there enroute.
• And finally, I am anxious to hear how others have dealt with the
condensate from the unit when mounted up there. I assume it will
drain easily down and out of the rack
through the drain holes in the front of the luggage rack.
Thanks in advance for any more info on the subject.
Stephen
Chillicothe OH
'89 Westy
'90 Parts Carat
'85 Wolfy Pop Top Camper(no kitchen)
'73 Sportsmobile
