TheSamba.com :: View topic - Where to mount a Propex in my 1977 Westy Deluxe

Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:38 am

Greetings,

I am thinking about acquiring a Propex propane heater for my 1977 Westy Deluxe after carefully deliberating all other heating solutions (propane, fuel, diesel, nuclear). I wonder where I could install the Propex. The standard seems to be under the rear bench or the aux tire space behind the driver's seat.

However, I am interested in mounting the Propex externally, either near the propane tank under the sliding door, or maybe even in the engine compartment near the aux battery (not sure whether there will be enough space). The reason I am contemplating an external mounting is that I found a tube connection that goes from underneath my bench seat through the hull into the rear bench with a vent to the inside of the bus. I suppose that this was used by a stock heater in the past (or does this come stock with this type of bus?). I could utilize this existing hole and avoid putting another hole into my bus.

One issue with externally mounted Propex systems is rust. In order to avoid rust, I could mount it into the engine compartment or under my buses belly and have a welder create some sort of metal enclosure for me.

What are your experiences?

Marius

Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:01 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=317242&highlight=propex
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286286&highlight=propex

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:07 pm

laumansm wrote:
However, I am interested in mounting the Propex externally,

I've seen a lot of post on interior mounting but would be interested in anyone's experience with exterior mounting as well.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:14 pm

i just got off the phone with karl from westyventures, who are the importer of the propex units. i am considering distributing them in canada.

on thing we were talking about was installation of the propex in place of a BA6, and putting inline with the stock heat. he has customers who have done it this way. if you have a BA6 belly pan the propex should be protected from the elements.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:36 pm

I do not think I have a belly pan for the BA6 so I need to retrofit my bus with some sort of enclosure. Should I just take the bus to a welder and have him create a box? Has anybody done this?

Marius

Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:44 pm

i would put it ...

in the spare tire compartment next to the stove or under the bed. i put my heater in the bottom of the sink cabinet in my p22 westy.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:46 pm

I just saw this picture: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=312820

...which shows the original BA6 belly pan. This thing is so much simpler than I thought. But then, maybe a Propex needs a bit more of an enclosure as it seems to be well suited for inside mounting but has not enough stamina to withstand the patina (aka rust)

Marius

Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:47 pm

Has anybody been able to fit it underneath the bus or in the engine compartment?

Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:34 pm

i know it will fit under the belly pan. the propex is actually smaller than a BA6. if you were thinking under the bus, then where the BA6 is located would be ideal, and to get a BA6 type belly pan.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:58 pm

I guess you would have to add a Y to supply the rear heat outlet.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:01 pm

I worry that a Propex needs more protection than a BA6 as a BA6 seems to be much more durable. Is that true? Marius

Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:07 pm

the belly pan is almost 100% coverage so i can't see an issue. it isn't something i'd worry about myself if i were installing a propex under the floor.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:19 pm

I think I will go with a BA6 belly pan then so that I can utilize the existing vent. I do not think that my Westy has a belly pan or even BA6 installed (despite my proximity to Canada). I need to check again (I am new to Bay window buses). I looked at pictures in the gallery and it looked like the belly pan is really only a lid covering the BA6. Is there also a pan part to it? If so, are these difficult to get by? Any good sources where I can find a BA6 belly pan? I acknowledge this might be a difficult endeavor. I might just my favorite local welder to fabricate something for me. Please forgive the multitude of naive questions. I am the proud new owner of this bus and my wife says that she will only like it when it's toasty warm inside.

Is this what I need ?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...ton=Search

Thanks, Marius

Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:40 pm

It's just a sheet of metal with some reinforcing ribs stamped in, you could get away with corrugated roofing metal if you wanted. Anything that covers between the frame rails and doesn't rattle will work.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:17 am

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:09 am

If the Propex heater were to be mounted outside the vehicle, it would need to be TOTALLY sealed from the elements. These are not designed for exterior use--there is a printed circuit with chips on it among other things that are not weather-proof. I also doubt Propex UK would warranty any units installed outside, sorry. The units that have been installed and ducted into air-cooled heating systems were installed inside and connected to the original ducting, using an additional booster fan.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:23 am

that's useful to know.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:29 am

What about mounting the Propex in the engine (if one finds space)? That would protect it a bit more. Marius

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:37 am

In the engine bay, it would still need to be sealed from the elements, so you would need to build a sealed box around it somehow.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:59 am

there's a few threads in the vanagon forum on installing these things. look where they chose to put them.