Somebody posted a website on an AC system for a
Eurovan that fits where the closet is located on a
Vanagon. It is powered by the a compressor on the
engine AND it has an electric motor to power it when
parked for camping. It looked very modern and
expensive.

For me I want to buy a spare hatch-back from a donor
van, knock out the window, install a window AC
unit(close to the passenger side) and sheet metal the
gap. PVC pipe could be used to re-enforce the
hatchback struts when hatch is open. A solid tree
branch and a hoist could lift the hatch on/off for use
in the summertime. Or you could use a forklift like I
plan to since i have one. After seeing alot of Ford
Chevy vans with this mod I wonder why no one has done
this to a Vanagon, maybe becouse it destroys the AC
unit in time?

Phil

--- Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM> wrote:
> 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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