Hello Scott,

I would like to know a little more about the stand alone a/c unit you
mentioned.
Summer is coming to Florida and I am looking for ideas on how to cool my van
down while camping.
I would not need a generator as I would run a chord directly to the campsite
hookup.  Where can I get one of these units?  How much? Etc.

I would also like to know if anyone on the list has had any luck with
mounting a conventional 110 a/c unit of 4-5k BTU in the passenger window
(temporary for camping, of course).

Thanks
Dane Tessler
87 Westfalia 138K
Treasure Island, FL
http://members.aol.com/Dane714/westfalia.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Chen <mac.chen@IX.NETCOM.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, April 09, 1998 12:41 PM
Subject: Powering a 110V A/C

>I have already decided to purchase a Toyotomi Air Conditioning unit for
>my non-a/c equipped '84 Westy.  For those of you who don't know,
>they're small stand-alone units powered by 110VAC, 4000BTU using 400
>watts of power.  Anyway, I am debating how to power the unit. There is
>the option of powering it with a small gas powered generator mounted
>outside the van a la Bob Bellanca.  These are the small Honda type
>generators that look like a suitcase.  But another option, mentioned by
>a fellow listmember, would be to power it using an inverter.  I asked
>my mechanic if this would abuse my alternator.  He suggested that if I
>was to use an inverter, the best bet would be to install a second
>battery of the deep cycle variety. I also have access to a couple 45
>Watt solar panels. How would these fit into the equation?
>
>All options work out pretty much the same cost-wise.  I am just looking
>at convenience and maintenance at this point. Retrofitting factory A/C
>is NOT an option.
>
>The advantage of the outside mounted generator is that it puts no
>additional strain on the Westy.  Also nice to have a power source
>during remote camping without starting the Westy.  The disadvantage is
>mounting the generator, having to start it when you want the a/c, and
>running the power cord.
>
>The advantage of the inverter would be convenience and ease of
>mounting. The disadvantage would be the additional strain on the
>alternator.
>
>Any advice from the list would be appreciated.  Thanks.
>Scott
>'84 Westy
>Rockville, MD