Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2020 23:46:22 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Using extra Defogger Switch to operate motorized Ball-Valve
In-Reply-To: <CABToOYLjS3QQ4H3ThLoPh3qpoHx3J2DxW3UeT0yNAmDROidBMw@mail.gmail.com>
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Typically, it takes about 20 minutes freeway driving time to take a 5 gallon pot of water from 60 to 122°F. Less time if it is hot, a little more time if it is cold. That is the whole idea of this dashboard switch to shut things off and on at your convenience in all conditions. BUT!!!!...do not exceed about 130 °F if you are using a plastic body 12 VDC Rule Bildge pump or the like in your pot; the plastic will anneal, warp, and pump may no longer work as expected. Yep...I've screwed that up about twice. Felt like a dweeb.
As far as using hot water for winter camping?....naw...don't go there. Possible for sure....but too many bad outcomes, and lots of good outcomes using the normal stuff (Mr Buddy, Chinese Diesel Heaters, and the rest).
Rich
San Diego
On Sunday, April 5, 2020, 4:21:25 PM PDT, Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com> wrote:
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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