The extra condenser under the van is exactly what they did when they converted my '90
Westy, way back when, 1998 I think. And it is what was recommended by the "experts"
then. Mine even has a fan mounted above it, that comes on whenever the compressor
runs. They put a protective cover over it made of expanded metal grid. I thought that
would not be enough, so I added a sheet of perforated aluminum, which I have since
removed. Never had any damage from rocks either way, but I usually avoid most gravel
roads. Does it help? Not really. Probably something else wrong with my system,
including a slow leak. Time to top it up.
Jerry in Arizona

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: Extra Vanagon Cooling

> First question!!
>
> What about rock and road hazard damage??? That looks like a really
> vulnerable spot!! But  I like the concept!!
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Stan Wilder wrote:
>
> >For those of you that are constantly mulling over fixing your A/C or convertting it
to R134-a this might be a simple solution to get your interior temps down.
> >This added coil brings my 912e A/C temps down to 34 degrees out all the underdash
ports once the system starts getting a good supply of air passing over the extra coil
under the car.
> >Once the air flow brings the system temp down it pretty much continues to work even
in traffic with little or no air flow for short time frames.
> >http://www.engineceramics.com/vw/undercoil.jpg
> >My system still uses the little 5.5 cui Mini-York compressor and the R134a
refrigerant.
> >It works just great.
> >
> >Stan Wilder
> >
> >
> >