Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:10:32 -0400
Reply-To: Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: AC While Camping
In-Reply-To: <D7B76A90-6069-4513-A9DB-9706E0AF6298@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I guess it all comes down to personal choice...
If folks want to have a A/C set up for camping, so be it...if someone wants
to use a generator, so what...?
I don't get this whole issue...I suppose it's silly for folks to even want
to camp with their vans...you know, since gas and resources are being
consumed...I guess those who don't walk barefoot to a campsite, armed with a
knife plus a couple sticks to make fire are simply being ridiculous...
now if you'll excuse me, I have to find my Loincloth and spear, as I'm going
camping this weekend...
Jim
Wilmington, NC
On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 10:43 AM, Jay lefstein <jleftbrane@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have been trying to hold back and not say anything to this thread.
> I think a generator and AC are getting rediculous!! no wonder the
> weather is so F@#Ked up these days.
> The ford engine in my van puts out less emissions then a stock water
> boxer
> I try to have a full van load of people when i drive anywhere far
> i bring bikes to cut down on driving once i get there
> the list go's on but heres the kicker;
>
> I DO THIS FOR YOU AND YOURS AS MUCH AS MYSELF IF NOT MORE ( i don't
> have kids )
>
> although I do think it is a persons choice to use AC or a generator
> because they can go and buy it, it doesn't make it right ( or wrong I
> guess)
> you can rent a hooker too , do you want your sister ,daughter or mom
> to be one?
> you can take your hand, a gun maybe a knife and kill someone, should
> you do this?
>
> i think thats enough
>
> this thread is funny we all feel the way we do.
>
>
> I also think that comparing a heater in winter to AC in summer is
> rediculous!!!
> J
>
> On 10-Jun-10, at 4:54 AM, mark drillock wrote:
>
> 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?
>>>
>>>
>>>
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