Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2020 19:21:09 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Using extra Defogger Switch to operate motorized Ball-Valve
In-Reply-To: <916385683.1024002.1586126956286@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Very clever! about how long driving does it take to heat up your stockpot
full of shower water? Actually, it seems like that could be automated
fairly easily. what if you had it heat the 5 gallons to 200 degrees F in
the winter? how much heat would that provide after shutting off the engine
for winter camping?
Edward
On Sun, Apr 5, 2020 at 6:50 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> Just got done finalizing wiring for this project. I tested it multiple
> times, including all kinds of "key on"...."key off"..."Switch on"...etc.
> Works superbly, I am a happy camper.
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/283055332263
> As mentioned before, I'll do some road tests to determine if I need
> indicator light in some form or not. My magnet-mounted BBQ thermometer is
> immediately adjacent to Instrument Cluster (wiring for it comes up through
> dashboard ashtray) so I think I will pretty clued in that when I hear that
> "beep-beep-beep" at 122 °F it will be time to shut off the ball-valve with
> a flick of my finger!! Such luxury! No longer having to decide on whether
> the next freeway offramp is too far away, or whether there is some kind of
> pull-off on that single lane hi-way, or risk confusing and upsetting my
> Vanagon travel mates when I suddenly need to pull off the road to shut off
> valve! (Yes...happened 2 weeks ago in Baja..fortunately we had radios).
> And yes, so far I am really glad I decided to opt for the $10 junkyard
> Defogger Switch for this project; it's all so clean and easy. I even used
> a bit of Satin Black rattle can paint to hide the rear window emblem on the
> face of the switch.
>
> Fun stuff!
> Rich
> San Diego
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, April 4, 2020, 3:55:26 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <
> rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Thanks Alistair for posting revealing pics on the interior of that Rear
> Window Defogger switch. It may be "possible" to install a modern tiny LED
> to replace the incandescent bulb and light pipe combo, but I've kind of
> decided against it (for present project purposes, I can always add later).
> I just don't want to add another failure point mostly. For my project, the
> switch will mostly be actuated in daylight hours making it a little hard to
> see anyway.
>
> Oh...what is the "project"? I have this hot shower rig in my Vanagon; I
> utilize the rear heater hoses lines (heater long gone) to feed a 1/4" x 20
> Feet Copper Coil. This coil sits inside of a 5 gallon (20 quart)
> thick-walled aluminum stockpot from Costco. Previously, I would run back
> to rear of Van and open ball valve; hot coolant goes inside copper tubing
> heating up water; BBQ thermometer with wires up to cockpit monitors water
> temperature. Alarm signals at 122 °F. I then pull off highway, run to
> back of Van again, and close ball valve. Super simple. But sometimes,
> enough times over the years that this running back and forth to open and
> close the ball valve got to be a pain. Solution? Motorized ball-valve,
> with auto-close when power shuts off. And so the whole purpose of
> utilizing the spare rear defogger switch is to open and close the
> ball-valve. I'm almost done with the project; last step is to install
> switch in instrument cluster, add an-inline fuse, and wire it up. Should
> be cool. I mean....hot!
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> On Saturday, April 4, 2020, 10:57:34 AM PDT, Alistair Bell <
> albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> Took apart a spare switch I had. Posted pics
>
> https://shufti.blog/2020/04/04/vanagon-inside-the-rear-window-defogger-switch/
>
> Just to further the discussion :-)
>
> Alistair
>
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