I explored the idea of taking a new AC window unit, moving all the hot
stuff out over my spare tire. Then plumbing the Condenser (cold part) to
the interior behind the glove box or eliminating the glove box. Cost for
the silver soldered copper lines and an AC recharge $185.00. We both know
this would be a really ugly thing.
If you wanted to run your 120v AC unit off an inverter it would take
about ten automotive batteries to get 15 AMPS out of an inverter.
If you wanted to run your Vanagon installed AC off of 120v by adding an
electric motor it would take about 30 amps and a three to four horse
electric motor. Possibly need a gear drive to get it to spin a 3500 rpms.
The most practical AC unit would be a LP fuel unit with 12v blowers,
doubt you'll ever find one.
So its back to the block of ice in the sink with a 12v fan blowing on it.

Stan Wilder

On Sat, 30 Mar 2002 21:18:40 +0800 David Wilhite
<dnmwilhite@EARTHLINK.NET> writes:
> I use the hang in window air conditioner on my van when camping
> during the summer myself, but have always been thinking of other
> solutions.
>
> I was wondering if anybody has considered the following method.
> Install an AC motor in the engine bay with a belt going to the
> compressor.  Put a double clutch on the vehicle air conditioner
> compressor to handle the belt from the AC motor and the engine.  Use
> a transformer/invertor to change the 120 VAC to 12 VDC to run the
> interior air conditioner duct fan and the fan up front behind the
> radiator.  This would be ideal, because there would be no
> modifications to the vanagon body itself and no appreciable space
> would be used.
>
> I haven't researched how much horsepower the air conditioner
> compressor uses or if a double clutch unit is available.  My
> thinking is that these would be the two hang ups for following
> through on this idea.
>
> Thoughts?
> --
>
>
> 86' Syncro GL (for sale)
> 84' Subaruvanagon Westy
> 01' KLR650
>

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