A query to the list:

I am purchasing one of the A/C units that Ron Salmon posted about a few
days ago.   I have a 1982 Westy, but formerly diesel, now Jetta GLI gas
engine. I have determined an appropriate compressor (the Sankyo 508) and a
bracket I will need to mount it (Rabbit diesel factory air) from a 1989
article in VW and Porsche about a similar conversion.   I am in limbo
deciding about the best condenser configuration.  I have never seen an
air-cooled vanagon A/C and have no idea where the 'stock' condensers are
mounted and how they are ventilated.  Since there is no radiator, I assume
they must be mounted under the body between the frame members somewhere,
with a thermally triggered fan of some sort to maintain proper heat
exchange.

The install kit comes with the whole 'dealer install' package, so I would
suppose that I could use the usual air-cooled condenser position and fan
arrangement.  I am guessing, but suppose that position would involve a more
continuous use of the fan for proper condenser function, since the air-flow
caused by vehicle motion would be non-existent or reduced compared to the
radiator mounted condenser.

Advice or comments from the list invited;  would installation of the wbx
radiator mounted condenser (with probably additional longer refrigerant
lines required) have advantages over the position and mechanics of the
air-cooled version.  My guess is that the reason they went to the radiator
mount in the wbx, is the elimination of a redundant fan motor with
associated power draw and possibility for failure, but there may have been
advantages I can't see as far as A/C function and reliability.

Cheers,

Ted Hoekman
Dr. Theodore B. Hoekman, Assoc. Prof. Medical Informatics
Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF Canada A1B 3V6
http://calloso.med.mun.ca  (709)737-6703