Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:08:49 -0800
Reply-To: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Vickery <david_vickery@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: The Looks.....(vanagon envy?)/Winter Camping Prep
In-Reply-To: <7FAE593B-7ADA-41C2-AF42-A66F8337B8A2@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
HI Bob, I have read that the canvas and potoptop looses a lot of heat, but I wonder. The canvas and the poptop fuzz is not cool to the touch while the window glass is very cold. The exposed parts of sheet metal is also very cold, so it seems like more heat would be lost through the windows. Or maybe you had already assumed I had the curtains drawn.
For this test, I wanted to try worse case scenario, very cold out with the poptop up and no curtains.
But I am having my first glitch,, the furnace quit cycling on at 7:10 for unknown reason. At 7:45 I restarted it and it appears to be running normally again. But I guess this is why you want to test them before you try camping in this weather. Back out to the van to check on it.
Dave
--- On Fri, 12/31/10, Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> From: Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: The Looks.....(vanagon envy?)/Winter Camping Prep
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, December 31, 2010, 7:12 PM
> Dave,
>
> You have probably already seen this mentioned on one list
> or another, but .... consider installing a "thermal barrier"
> across the interior top of your camper living space.
> Richard Jones did it first and sent the idea long to me.
> Using a polypro blanket and installing snaps around the
> front and sides of it, then in corresponding spots on the
> metal horizontal face interior, the rear of it just tucks
> in between the foam upper bed pads. It serves to trap
> whatever heat is being generated in the living space, and
> considerably
> ameliorates the effects of the ambient temps coming through
> the canvas walls above. Makes a very big difference in the
> effectiveness of the Propex.
>
> bob
> On Dec 31, 2010, at 6:33 PM, David Vickery wrote:
>
> > Trip reports always generate a little envy for
> me. In Colorado we are having a cold spell right now
> and anyplace warm(er) sounds nice.
> >
> > Earlier in the month I was down in Utah and Arizona
> and not a soul was out. I must admit I was on the
> lesser travelled roads around the backside of Canyonlands,
> but I only saw a couple pickup truck campers, and no
> Vanagons anywhere. Come to think of it, you don't see
> a lot anymore do you. I camped roadside one night and
> only 2 cars passed for the 12 hours I was there. The
> relative crowds you are seeing in So Cal would have been a
> nice change. I worried about the van not starting and
> wondered how long I would have to wait. I also have to
> say I finally appreciated seeing a Walmart after several
> days of terribly stocked stores struggling to make it.
> >
> > Tonight, I am using this Colorado cold snap to test my
> new furnace. Poptop up, outside temp at around 8
> degrees. I have the inside temp set to 45 degrees and
> it feels warm when you first step in the van. The
> heater is cycling on maybe half the time right now, but I
> need to check some more. I'd like to see how much
> battery drain I get with the 2 Amp furnace. I started
> with a nicely topped up battery at 12.68 volts. Heater
> ran for about 45 minutes the first time from 8 degrees
> before hitting the 45 degree shutoff point. The snow
> on the front windshield looks like it isn't going anywhere.
> >
> > Dave in Fort Collins
> >
> >
> >
>
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