Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 17:00:30 -0700
Reply-To: Dane Tessler <dane714@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Dane Tessler <dane714@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Powering a 110V A/C
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello Scott,
I would like to know a little more about the stand alone a/c unit you
mentioned.
Summer is coming to Florida and I am looking for ideas on how to cool my van
down while camping.
I would not need a generator as I would run a chord directly to the campsite
hookup. Where can I get one of these units? How much? Etc.
I would also like to know if anyone on the list has had any luck with
mounting a conventional 110 a/c unit of 4-5k BTU in the passenger window
(temporary for camping, of course).
Thanks
Dane Tessler
87 Westfalia 138K
Treasure Island, FL
http://members.aol.com/Dane714/westfalia.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Chen <mac.chen@IX.NETCOM.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, April 09, 1998 12:41 PM
Subject: Powering a 110V A/C
>I have already decided to purchase a Toyotomi Air Conditioning unit for
>my non-a/c equipped '84 Westy. For those of you who don't know,
>they're small stand-alone units powered by 110VAC, 4000BTU using 400
>watts of power. Anyway, I am debating how to power the unit. There is
>the option of powering it with a small gas powered generator mounted
>outside the van a la Bob Bellanca. These are the small Honda type
>generators that look like a suitcase. But another option, mentioned by
>a fellow listmember, would be to power it using an inverter. I asked
>my mechanic if this would abuse my alternator. He suggested that if I
>was to use an inverter, the best bet would be to install a second
>battery of the deep cycle variety. I also have access to a couple 45
>Watt solar panels. How would these fit into the equation?
>
>All options work out pretty much the same cost-wise. I am just looking
>at convenience and maintenance at this point. Retrofitting factory A/C
>is NOT an option.
>
>The advantage of the outside mounted generator is that it puts no
>additional strain on the Westy. Also nice to have a power source
>during remote camping without starting the Westy. The disadvantage is
>mounting the generator, having to start it when you want the a/c, and
>running the power cord.
>
>The advantage of the inverter would be convenience and ease of
>mounting. The disadvantage would be the additional strain on the
>alternator.
>
>Any advice from the list would be appreciated. Thanks.
>Scott
>'84 Westy
>Rockville, MD
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