Listees,

For individual room cooling instead of  for whole house air conditioner because
an "empty nest," in the Southern California desert (where electricity is very
expensive at a rate similar to NYC), we have three of the type ACs about which
Tim writes. We use them, generally, at night, to avoid ACing parts of the house
not in use. Use in our Westy is an unanticipated, and welcome, benefit.

THey are:

Toyotomi 8" x12" x 25"  from Damark Catalog @ 4000btu, 30 pounds $750 four or
five years ago, refurbished with "cosmetic damage," a scratch on the back panel
of the unit.
Hampton Bay (Home Depot's labeled Fedders) 16" x 16'"x 33" @ 8000btu, 44 pounds
$500 last year, on end of season sale.

Prices per btu have decreased significantly, recently. There are many other
brands. Penguino (Italian) is one I know.

Seasonal use in our home is the first priority. Each of the two of the units I
have works well in the appropriate rooms. The Hampton Bays are more efficient,
but weight and dimensions give the nod for use in the Westfalia to the
Toyotomi.

Downsides? Space use in the van, and a need to lash the unit securely.

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia

Tim Fong wrote:

> Terry,
>
> I own one of the units you refer to. Yes, they are pretty cool except the
> following:
>
> 1. At about 50 pounds, it's kinda heavy to lift in and out of the van, well
> for me it is
>     anyway.
>
> 2. The footprint is about 1' X 2'.
>
> 3. The price was $850.00 out the door.
>
> Except for the above, I like it a lot.
>
> Peace,
> Tim
> '87 Syncro Westys