Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 22:18:06 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Portable air conditioning.
In-Reply-To: <52DC7FCC.1010004@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I think that once you carry the AC for putting into the window and then a
generator on trailer to run the AC you may have outgrown the Westy.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JRodgers
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 8:46 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Portable air conditioning.
First hand experience with "Swamp Coolers".
They work by wetting a mat of some sort with a mist and blowing air through
it. The evaporation cools the air - but raises the humidity.
THEY DO NOT WORK IN HUMID CLIMATES!!!! Your vehicle will turn into the
Abominable Sweatbox!!
Only in very dry climates do they work well - Arizona, New Mexico, and other
middle western states.
If you can get your on-board AC to work - but it's set up to blow only in
the back area - you need a couple of strong fans to simply circulate the
air. that works. I cooled a whole house with a single window unit AC by
putting fans through out. Circulation is the key.
For camping, a small window unit with a frame to temporarily mount it in the
passenger window works - provided you have external power. If not - you need
a small generator - which of course may annoy the neighbors in the
campground, But you could rig yourself a small utility trailer to carry a
number of travel goodies - including the small generator. That works - but
still there is the noise. Some of the small Honda units are pretty quiet,
however. Honda has really worked hard to make them as innocuous as
possible.
John
On 1/19/2014 4:16 PM, Jeremy Stovin 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.
>