Just think of what size house you could air condition with a 20 hp
compressor. 3-5 is probably a more realistic number. The load may feel
worse when the compressor first engages at high engine rpm. There is
also the electrical load on the alternator which also requires some HP.
No way will that belt transmit 20 hp for any length of time.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jim Kennedy
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 7:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 2.1 waterboxxer value... interest?

That's a good question.  I'd love to hear an informed answer on how many
hp
the typical AC compressor draws..  20 sounds pretty high.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Brennan [mailto:kimbrennan@MAC.COM]
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 4:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 2.1 waterboxxer value... interest?

I'm sure the answer to that one is, like just about anyone else
considering an engine swap, more power. If you aren't running AC in a
Vanagon, then the stock 90 hp is JUST barely adequate to cruise around
town. if you are using AC, then it isn't adequate at all.

For example today, I was 6th car in line at a traffic light. Light
turned green. Once the car in front of me starting moving so did I. I
stopped on the yellow light. That's right. I never made it to the
intersection before the light turned yellow. This was on flat terrain.
Throw in a few hills, and the lack of power become even more annoying.

I'm not sure how many horsepower the AC takes in a Vanagon, but I'd
guestimate it at around 20hp. That's a significant fraction of your
total when you only have 90.