I haven't done this yet but would like to...How about painting the roof
white to reflect the sun's heat?  Seen this on lots of serious desert
vehicles.  I think it's called a safari top.

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marshall Ruskin" <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2001 7:46 AM
Subject: Dramatically Improving AC capacity

> Hi Volks:
>
> The one deficiency remaining unresolved with our Vanagons - is the
> inadequate capacity of the AC system, and I'd like to start a thread
dealing
> with remedying that.
>
> Problem:
>
> The AC capacity of our Vanagons is inadequate to reject the amount of heat
> to necessary to maintain passenger comfort on very hot and humid days.
>
> Background:
>
> Many of us have worked hard to improve our AC system's efficiency, both by
> improving the thermodynamic efficiency and by improving the airflow, and
> that's great. However, on very hot and humid days - it is barely adequate
> but usually inadequate for complete respite from discomfort.
>
> Discussion:
>
> There are several approaches to improving the AC system available:
>
> 1.    increasing the capacity of the existing system;
>
> 2.    installing a higher capacity system to replace the existing one;
>
> 3.    Installing a secondary AC system to provide additional
heat-rejection
> capacity;
>
> 4.    Alternative approaches not listed.
>
> Each of these approaches is a compromise between cost (including time),
ease
> of implementation,  reliability and likelihood to meet performance
> requirements.
>
> Action:
>
> I request that specific ideas be brought forward from the list, and that
> these ideas be framed by the points 1 - 4 above. By framing the ideas as
> requested, we can keep the discussion organized.
>
> Regards,
>
> Marshall Ruskin, 84 Westy
> Aloha from Winnipeg!