BTW, how would one adapt a window AC unit to work on a westy, anyway?  This
might be a new project to put on the list.  :)

tom

On 28 Jul 2003 at 19:25, tom ring wrote:

> Well, a 1500 watt heater will keep my van at 70F at the top of the fridge with
> the top popped with a 20F outside temp.  65 with 5 below and 40 mph wind and
> the top down during a blizzard.  I think it actually does a bit better than
> that, but let's be conservative.  1500 watts is 5100 BTU.  Given that warmer
> air rises, and cooler air sinks, you should have a bit of an advantage with
> less heat gain in the summer vs more heat loss in the winter due to the pop
> top.  Roll in the humid air that you are squeezing the water out of will
> account for some cooling you won't see, and let's say the SWAG is a wash.
>
> So back of the envelope estimate says, if you're in the shade with the top
> popped, you should be able to be able to cool to about 50 below ambient with a
> 5000 BTU AC.  Which should draw about 500 watts with a 10.0 EER.  3000 BTU
> might be good enough.
>
> The 85 in the sun, I can't estimate.  Depends a lot on on how much your paint
> color absorbs infrared, sun angle, curtains, etc.  Park the right direction,
> and you help things a lot.
>
> tom
>
> On 28 Jul 2003 at 19:13, Derek Drew wrote:
>
> > Has anyone actually calculated or experienced how many BTUs are required to
> > make a Westfalia 70 degrees inside via a 110 volt connection to an air
> > conditioner at say, the average of 100 degrees in the shade or 85 degrees in
> > the sun? This would be with the poptop up and some air leakage through the
> > canvass.
> >
> > I would like the option to bring along a 110 volt air conditioner for temporary
> > installation in the luggage rack for use while camping, and if I could solve
> > this soon it will save some hotel bills which add up fast.
> >
> > There was some list discussion about tiny 110 volt units at Home Depot so now I
> > have acquired an interest in a tiny 110 volt A/C unit but not sure how tiny is
> > too tiny. I figured that the tiniest unit made would be good, but don't know
> > where to get such a unit or who has looked into this.
> >
> > Please report to us if you have conducted such research.
> >
> > This is for use when the motor is off.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Derek Drew
> > CEO & Co-Founder
> > ConsumerSearch, Inc.
> > New York, NY & Washington DC
> > derekdrew@rcn.com
> > 202-966-7907
> > (cell) 703-408-1532
> >
> > http://www.ConsumerSearch.com/
> > Time Magazine, June 19, 2003
> >  "50 Best Websites"
> >
> >
>
>
> ------
> Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
> 85 Westphalia GL Albert
> 96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
> taring@taring.org
>
> "It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a turn
> fast
> and come out dead." Stirling Moss
>

------
Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
85 Westphalia GL Albert
96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
taring@taring.org

"It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a turn fast
and come out dead." Stirling Moss