Date:         Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:24:49 -0800
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Pop top insulation
Comments: To: PB <pbrattan@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTikkZ4+T75ToPit5089BkAsNiLa8TgyuPdYUum0S@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 6:43 PM, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'd like a way to insulate the ceiling.
>
If you have a '90 Westy (same as mine) then you probably have a pop top that
is painte4d the same color as the rest of the vehicle as opposed to earlier
models with the white tops.  I'll suggest two solutions.  First, you can add
a 'heat shield' like in this picture
<http://picasaweb.google.com/starwagen/TableMountain2009#5363627421038372466>

That's my rig when set up for a week long stay under hot Sun.  That's an $11
'survival blanket' on the top, held in place with Velcro patches.  There is
a notch cut out for fit around the skylight.  And it makes one really big
difference in how hot the top gets.
A second, more permanent solution, is to have the top of the top painted
white.  I've seen a couple of rigs that this was done to and the owners said
it made a real difference.  I also have Reflectix panels cut to fit the
windows.  I put them on the outside in hot weather and on the inside in cold
weather.
But, as has already been pointed out, such measures, especially in hot
weather, only delay the heat build up inside the van.  A good ventilation
scheme to move air through the rig is a great help.  I have a 12v powered
fan, about $15 at Camping World, that does a pretty good job of moving air
around inside the Westy.