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Date:         Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:45:46 -0400
Reply-To:     "kimbrennan@mac.com" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "kimbrennan@mac.com" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: idea?
Comments: To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <526D979E.5050303@gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

This has already been done. TerryK used to sell an adapter to hang a regular AC unit in the Westy Passenger van. Hung it off the cargo carrier up top. You need a small generator (Honda 2000 for instance) to power it if you don't have AC around. BTW, A Honda 1000 isn't enough. A Honda 2000 is a very quiet generator. A 50 foot extension cord to locate it away from your van (and not near anyone elses hopefully) and you won't even notice it. Especially if you have an AC blaring away.

On Oct 27, 2013, at 6:45 PM, JRodgers wrote:

> Jim, > > > what would be the prospect having a small 5000 BTU AC unit that could be > mounted in the passenger window of the van when you are stopped and > camped somewhere. The to power it - tow a small trailer with a > generator, spare propane, larger tools, bigger tent, etc, etc, and when > not in use the AC unit and the frame for it could also be stored on the > trailer. > > John > > On 10/26/2013 9:10 AM, Jim Felder wrote: >> My situation is that I am the Director of the Alabama Scenic River Trail ( >> www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com). Travel to meetings with Corps of >> Engineers, City and County officials, landowners and such are part of my >> job. I put about 10,000 miles a year traveling in places where moteling-it >> is not an option. Neither is staying at an RV lot. For the most part, all >> there are are locally run "cornfields" with minimum hookups and often I am >> the only one in them or nearly so. There are a lot of these in rural >> Alabama that cater to migrant workers and the flood of builders that follow >> hurricane and tornado damage., Especially in the south of the state. In the >> north of the state, I am either home at night or I can stay with a friend >> or relative. >> >> In four years of doing this job, I have not spent one night in a hotel or >> motel. I have camped hundreds of times in my westy. >> >> In a few minutes, daughter, grandson and I will pull out for a nearby >> National Forest overnight. When we camp, it's usually under conditions that >> the weather is cool at night. In any event, our real camping (as opposed to >> work travel) is normally far from phone service much less electricity to >> run an air conditioner. >> >> I use my westy for both, don't see a problem in outfitting it for both. >> >> Jim >> >> >> On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 8:55 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Having shore power AC means you probably aren't camping, you are RV-ing >>> (at least in MY world). >>> >>> My SO was at Camping World (big box outlet store here in the west) >>> recently, where the counter-person kept trying to sell her a membership to >>> Good Sam club...so she could "save money when camping" according to the >>> clerk...My SO tried to explain that staying in a commercial RV space was a >>> bit different than camping, but the clerk just did not understand...In the >>> clerks mind, camping was driving from RV park to RV park on the interstate >>> system and plugging everything in each night...'roughing it'... >>> >>> I, too use my Vanagon for non-camping bivouacs but if I were wanting to >>> 'camp' in Good Samaritan or 1000 Trails or other Non-chain RV parks all the >>> while, I guess Dennis might be right...the Vanagon seems a bit under-sized >>> for that....and you would be 'looked down upon' by all the other RV-ers, >>> quite out of place in your vanagon.. >>> >>> I think if I traveled the south in summer I might be tempted to just >>> motel-it...It IS really uncomfortably hot and humid there at times.. >>> >>> >>> On Fri, Oct 25, 2013 at 8:07 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com >>>> wrote: >>> >>>> Most all window AC use a single motor to drive both the evaporator and >>>> condenser fans. You also have to consider the position of the coils in >>>> relationship to the compressor so the oil circulates and travels through >>>> the >>>> compressor. Needing AC while camped is often the first sign your out >>>> growing >>>> the Westy. >>>> >>>> Dennis >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf >>> Of >>>> Jim Felder >>>> Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 9:07 AM >>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >>>> Subject: Re: idea? >>>> >>>> My brother and I were discussing cutting an AC unit in two and mounting >>>> part >>>> outside, part inside, under the rear seat. >>>> >>>> Also, it would be possible--but more difficult--to mount a split unit >>> like >>>> that in the luggage rack with only vents down into the cabin, but the >>> cabin >>>> roof would have to be penetrated and all the controls would have to be >>>> completely remoted. A weather cover would have to be created for the >>>> luggage >>>> rack mount. While the unit would not have to be "split" like it would if >>>> mounted under the seat (the whole thing would be mounted outside the >>>> vehicle) it would benefit from being rearranged to better fit the space >>> in >>>> the luggage rack to keep the profile low. >>>> >>>> The underseat mount would allow you to use the faceplate of the unit just >>>> as >>>> it came from the factory as long as it was not more than 13 inches tall. >>>> >>>> The problem of making up some mounts is not trivial but not much harder >>>> than >>>> some intercooler mounts. I have a friend who works on this type of small >>>> window unit AC, and he said the only problem would be knowing where to >>> cut >>>> the lines and then installing the valves and plumbing to allow evacuation >>>> and refill. He said he would show me when we had a unit to look at, which >>>> hasn't happened yet. >>>> >>>> You could put one in the closet, too, I think but it wold be even harder >>> to >>>> split the unit using that space. >>>> >>>> Would love to hear from anyone who has modified a unit by cutting and >>>> modifying the tubing. >>>> >>>> Jim >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Oct 25, 2013 at 7:47 AM, ralph meyermann >>>> <ralphmeyermann@gmail.com>wrote: >>>> >>>>> Correct placement is a must for issues like that. If I use the front >>>>> part of the original unit, it would simplify the controls too? >>>>> >>>>> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy >>>>> On Oct 25, 2013 7:40 AM, <ddbjorkman@verizon.net> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Careful how you use that space above the transaxle. It could cause >>>>>> a space restriction should you decide to remove the engine or >>> starter. >>>>>> >>>>>> Dave B. >>>>>> >>>>>> On 10/25/13, ralph meyermann<ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Still thinking/brainstorming/planning on how I could make it work. >>>>>> >>>>>> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy >>>>>> On Oct 24, 2013 8:57 PM, "Scott Daniel" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> There's quite a bit of unused space above the transaxle in a 2WD >>>>> vanagon. >>>>>>> huge 'outside' area there ....just integrate the unit into that >>>>>>> rear firewall behind the rear seat. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 10/24/2013 5:33 PM, Mike B wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> You can't integrate "everything" into the interior. The condenser >>>>>>>> and it's fan still must be mounted outside or be able to exhaust >>>>>>>> it's hot air to the outside or it won't cool the interior. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 10/24/2013 8:09 PM, ralph meyermann wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi Volks! I have a possibly crazy but possibly doable idea. I am >>>>>>>>> thinking about getting a new 110v window a/c unit, disassembling >>>>>>>>> it and integrating it into the interior and underneath reconnect >>>>>>>>> everything recharge >>>>> with >>>>>>>>> refrigerant and tie it into the the 110v of the van. Some slim >>>>>>>>> low >>>>> amp >>>>>>>>> 110v fans will be needed. Am I the only one thinking with this >>>>> possible >>>>>>>>> nonsense? >>>>>>>>> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >>


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