Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2018 21:48:02 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Campground Air Conditioning for Vanagon
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I live in San Diego; most of my camping is nearby or within a couple day radius. That usually means traveling to higher elevations. Humidity is low; temps may be high but then around sunset, the hot air goes "whoosh" upward to the sky.
But every now and then, I take my Tintop 85 Vanagon on a cross-country jaunt. In the summertime, like now. Am currently in Indiana at the Ohio border. Ugh...sure is humid...sultry. And it stays that way all night long. Sticky.
So I have a contraption that you might like to make for yourself: it's a 5000 BTU Room air conditioner, attached to the passenger side forward window with a plywood piece. Pretty basic really: a 3/8" plywood board, cut to size; then glued on some wood to plywood to kinda make a "saddle" that rests on open passenger (or driver) side window. Some small wooden struts and carriage bolts and wingnuts to allow for attachment, and then also some 1/2" foam strips around the perimeter, to defeat bug entry. Attach the plywood bracket; then attach the A/C; took me 15 minutes first time; now takes me 3 minutes or less.
I use a 5000 BTU room air conditioner; I bought mine at end of season sale at Target for $65 (10 years ago BTW). Anyway, an appropriate rectangular cutout in plywood for the A/C to enter, and then whatever nuts and bolts to attach.
Of course: This setup requires shore 120 VAC power. Most of the campgrounds WEST of the Mississippi River do not have this luxury. But most of the campgrounds EAST of the Mississippi River DO have electricity available. Also, a generator is an option; I've read that the new cheapo one from Harbor Freight ($449 with coupon) is pretty good.
Also, for you Westy folks out there....I've seen various configurations which either go through uptop forward screen (with A/C on luggage rack) or the one that kinda hangs off straps off the gutters (Terry K) and into passenger side window.
All I'm saying is that my simple setup works SUPREME!! Currently inside at 78F and 38% humidity; super comfy. Love it. Am looking around campground now...yep, sure enough...each and every travel trailer or van or even Class 3 motorhome has some kind of A/C going.
I can't give many more details right now since I'm on the road with minimal internet connection, but I encourage you folks that live in the USA Midwest or are thinking of traveling there in the summertime to consider this option. Total "glamping" I will admit!
The main thing is NOT the reduction in temperature....it's the reduction in humidity....that's why swamp cooler things do NOT work in places where it's humid; need real air "conditioning".
(Also...my tonight's campground is I think a former Army Core of Engineers one; anyway, it's $15 for electric and $10 for primitive. Previous Indiana State Park Campground was $39.10 total for an out of state guy like me...OUCH)
Rich
San Diego