Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2023 07:54:22 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Funny travel experience
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxMgY_Cm7bC7pgyey4Zad6cUF=xrJ4kDqJ_Zr2dYOxs8xA@mail.gmail.com>
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Hi David and others,
There is usually more than one right way to do things.
I have two vans, one with the original refrigerator the other with a big battery and an electric cooler. It has the storage where fridge was.
I like both. My Refrigerator lights well and still works well. Very well up to 80 degrees or so. Ok at 85. Struggles at 90. My electric cooler lasts about 3 days on the batteries 2 days if very hot. The refrigerator can go for many weeks on a tank. My electric cooler doesn’t require ice so it holds a lot of stuff. I’ve noticed others starting to use smaller more efficient electric coolers because no need for ice means they don’t need as much room in the cooler. Some now fit under the bed when open.
I just purchased a portable battery generator and a flexible 100 Watt solar panel. It slides under the rear cushion for storage. I plan to use this in both vans for a power boost for cooling and at home when the power is out for some charging of lights, phones, and such. The battery is a little smaller than I would like but the price and capability was hard to beat. Lots of options now.
Eric Caron
> On Jun 16, 2023, at 11:22 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Mine got so that even with ambient temperature 70 F, it would only cool to
> 55 F. That was in addition to being a real pain to get lit, and then
> sometimes it would go out for who knows what reason. When I first got the
> van, the refrigerator would frost the freezer compartment, though I never
> tried making ice cubes. It would run at 40 F in hot weather. Then it just
> went to pot. I pulled it, cleaned the burner, cleaned the flu. No
> improvement. Now it is in my shop, taking up space. I put shelves in the
> space where it was, and used the original refrigerator door as a closure.
> I'm perfectly happy, and no, I don't need a compressor refrigerator. I use
> a Yeti, block ice, and everything is cold for six days in hot weather,
> longer in spring and fall. I freeze the ice myself in gallon jugs. mcneely
>
> On Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 8:03 PM Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I am getting my van ready for Fathers Day camping weekend on Lake
>> Winnipeg. Tried the gas fridge, lights up on the first try. I’m not a
>> golfer but i imagine a hole in one feels similar.
>>
>> Jeff in Winnipeg
>> 85 Westfalia
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Jun 16, 2023, at 8:16 PM, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> So they "camp" but don't use the stove? The refrigerator I can
>>> understand. No matter how good a shape the vehicle is in, the
>> refrigerator
>>> may not work, or work sufficiently well to trust it. I ditched mine, and
>>> now just use a Yeti box with block ice. It is more reliable. The
>>> additional storage space after having removed the refrigerator is handy,
>>> too.
>>>
>>>> On Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 4:02 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> I need to do a trip report but before that I wanted to send this post.
>>>>
>>>> At the middle of a long trip we stopped in the Thousand Island area. We
>>>> passed what turned out to be a beautiful 87 Westfalia already camped.
>>>>
>>>> We wint over and met a lovely retired couple on the young retired
>>>> side. What was so interesting is that they loved the van and kept it
>> super
>>>> clean, but had no interest in the mechanics. They had purchased it
>> about 7
>>>> or more years ago. It was in amazing condition. And they just drive
>> it.
>>>> It seems like they have had few mechanical issues. It amazed me that
>> they
>>>> were likely at the end of a decade with this van and really barely knew
>> how
>>>> to use the features. And, it really was beautiful.
>>>> The van was loved by the previous owner who died in a motor cycle
>>>> accident. The widow sold it but only after making them promise to
>> garage
>>>> it and to only use the best gas. The van had a 2.5 GW motor and a
>> Haynes
>>>> hitch on the back. GW 16 wheels and an awning that looked like a 10
>> foot
>>>> Fiaama but was some brand I never heard of. It was from PA.
>>>> They have never opened the awning. Not used the refrigerator.
>>>> Likely not the stove much either as they don’t know how to get the
>> propane
>>>> filled. I sure wish I could help them out but really they were not that
>>>> interested. They just used it for summer adventures and then put it
>> away.
>>>>
>>>> Amazing that it could be so trouble free for them. And with the GW 2.5
>>>> they move.
>>>>
>>>> I’m sending him the subscription info for this list. I’m sure he
>>>> will need us eventually!
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>
>>
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