Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:53:38 -0800
Reply-To: Jeremy Stovin <jjstov@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeremy Stovin <jjstov@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: [WetWesties] Portable air conditioning.
In-Reply-To: <CAGbZSj+ssRG1Mqicyf4B+Zs+a7gxxm18MQSXRSaZ6OgeLYQb4g@mail.gmail.com>
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Thanks for the feedback. I emailed the makers of GoCool, and they say that theirs is not an evaporative cooler, but the did say it would not work as well in a daytime running van as well as it would in a tent at night. (Does not make much sense to me).
My concern, frankly is driving around the days is the hottest, a generator with an AC in the window won't work.
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 20, 2014, at 9:58 AM, Brandon <brandon314@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Swamp coolers work okay, but aren't going to do anything an open window and some good airflow in dry temperatures isn't going to do. I ran on in my VW one year at Burning-Man in the mornings and it helped immensely, but it is VERY dry out there so the effects are decent.
>
> I have seen folks run a small portable free-standing portable AC unit inside off of a small generator (Honda EU2000 knock-off) mounted on the rear bumper. Works well when camping, or going down the road. The only downside is that the AC unit needs a window to connect the hose to so it can exhaust the condenser air AND it takes up a lot of space.
>
> There are many 'real' compressor based truck-bunk based aftermarket AC units that you could retrofit, but they're going to be very power hungry (usually using a large battery bank). These also are a bit of money. Google has a lot of results.
>
> Site note about the Dometic:
>
> Properly operating, tuned up, etc. these will have no issues keeping food cold in 100F temperatures (unless you button up your van and let the interior increase well into the triple digits). I have made ice cubes in the middle of the desert on a 102F day. We've discussed the tune up procedures and 'common issues' with these units many times in the past. I only want to mention this because the 3-way mini dometic really isn't all that bad. The biggest issue is knowing if the LPG based flame has extinguished (and Otmar found a nice auto-ignitor off the later units to solve that issue!) Leaky doors, poorly adjusted latches, non-functional cooling fans, poor flame quality, poor airflow, interior aluminium piece needing new thermal grease....many things can cause poor performance.
>
> That said, the truck fridge (and it's similars, Vitrifrigo, other knockoffs) are quite good and work well. I own a Vitrifrigo in my city bus and it has never let me down. I am sure you will be very happy with the upgrade :-)
>
> Take care,
>
>
>
> Brandon Mathis
> 1974 Riviera "Zesty!"
> brandon314@gmail.com
>
>
>> On Sun, Jan 19, 2014 at 2:16 PM, Jeremy Stovin <jjstov@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> My family trip to San Diego last summer had hit a snag with family happiness due to lack of air conditioning in Lola, my '87 Westy. Made worse was the total lack of cooling of the Dometic fridge. 35f less than 90f is not very cool.
>>
>> So, thinking about replacing the fridge with a TruckFridge. Possibly installing it myself. Any feedback on that is appreciated.
>>
>> Regarding the air conditioning, I do not think I have the money to install an original or aftermarket A/C, especially it seems we have to choose to cool either the front or back, not both for the money.
>>
>> So, I am thinking of a "swamp cooler". I saw one online, a "GoCool 12V Portable Semi Truck Cab Air Conditioner For Camping Tent & RV Camper". It looks good, but do not find any reviews. Has anyone used one? Heard of it?
>>
>> Any other ideas?
>>
>> Being in Seattle, we can't seem to go for a big trip in summer without hitting hot hot areas. I think this summer, we may be going to Montana. (Any recommendations are welcome.)
>>
>> Thanks all!!
>>
>> Jeremy
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>
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