Propex/Propane Install

[Caleb Melvin]

I started installing the Propex I got in the mail the other day, but stopped at the propane connection because I was waiting for the tank to arrive. It finally came this afternoon so I rushed down to the hardware store to make the mounts. I bought the tank from gowesty and they offered an adapter mount kit for the Bay buses, so I got it. Turns out, it only adapts the original westy tank mounts to the new tank, so it really did me no good except for some hardware. I cut some "L" shaped mounts out and drilled some holes to mount to the frame. After drilling some holes, it went in easily. I put it on the passenger's side because my intake and exhaust lines for the Propex were on the driver's and I wanted to be able to reach out the slider and turn the valve. I placed the propex in a cabinet behind the drivers seat, it was really easy to install, just time consuming. Here it is:











I like the tank because the ground clearance is not really an issue, it only sicks down a couple inches below the frame. Boy does this thing heat
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[heerojyuy]

Pretty killer.
Though I'd like to see some pics of the heating unit mounted up.

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1979 Volkswagen Bus - Daily Driver
2000cc
FI

[Mark]

Caleb, do you have any more photos of the install?

[Olddog52]

Man, nice flooring. I really dig that vintage stuff. LOL. Sorry Caleb, couldn't resist the jab.

OH MAN, just realized you took out that cool flecked part where the fridge went. Have you no shame???
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73 Tin Top Westy ( should have never sold her)
79 Westy Pop Top
73 Super Beetle
VW Trike with 70 engine.

[hiwaycallin]

[Caleb Melvin]

No problem, i will take some more pics and detailed instructions tonight.
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[theizzardking]

YEA LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS I'M GETTING WORRIED ABOUT FREEZING MY BUTT OF ON THE CASCADE KOMBI -LEAVENWORTH TRIP COMING UP,
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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin
'71 westie "the wanderer"

[jmstu76]

I would love to know more info about where this unit (propex) was purchased and how you control the heat output. The LP tank looks good on your bus.
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James

'76 Deluxe Sage Green Westy 2.0L Fuel Injected with '78 ECU and AFM, ACN SVDA Distributor, Hydraulic Lifters (boo hiss), 27in General Grabber AT2 All Terrains, Berg Shifter, stock '76 exhaust HPC Ceramic Coated.

First VW engine I've ever built and it's still running strong. 60,000 plus miles and counting. Built in 2004.

[email protected]

[busfreak_71]

I like it! Gotta add it to my list of things to buy. Canada is cold...
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'71 Tin Top Westfalia
'99.5 Bora TDI
'88 Fox Coupe
'85 Mercedes 300SD

Resident Off-Grid hippie and diesel advocate.

[Caleb Melvin]

Ok, here is a little more information.

I bought the propex HS2000 Kit from Volks-Cafe: http://www.volkscafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=1206396154 and the propane tank from gowesty here: http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2447&search_phrase=propane&start=

I also sprung for the adapter kit for the bays but did not need it. If you already have a westy propane tank, it will help. If not, don't waste your money, it ended up being expensive hardware for me.

The propex is really easy to hook up. Put it where it is going to go and use the template that comes with it to mark the holes. You have to drill 2 holes in the floor for the intake and exhaust tubes (make sure you check below for lines/frame before cutting). Once these holes are drilled, mount the unit with the 4 screws included. Crawl under the bus and hook up the intake and exhaust lines, I put the intake near the center of the bus and the exhaust on the driver side. Find a good spot for the heat outlet on the cabinet it is in and use a hole saw to make the hole. Insert the vent and run the duct to the unit. The second inlet can be mounted somewhere else on the cabinet to keep a flow of air through the propex.

All that is left is the electrical and gas line. I found a spot on the cabinet for the thermostat and ran the wire down to the unit and plugged it in. Hook up the power and ground and you are set.

The gas line runs down and across to the tank, I used 1/4in copper tubing as recomended. The tank brackets were cut out of angle iron and drilled before being mounted to the tank and the frame. Here are some more pictures of it installed:







I all I am into it for over a grand, expensive but it is worth it. I slept in the bus last night in my driveway to try it out. Awesome!
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[davis911s]

Nice Job!

I did a very similar project last year in my bus. I used a diesel MIKUNI heater but same idea. Works really well. Like busfreak said it is cold here in Canada! I installed a remote starter on mine for those cold mornings. I have about $500 in mine.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272094&highlight=
[/img]
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"I choose to use CAA on old cars with character...instead of car payments on a new car "

1973 Westfalia, Camper Special with 75 FI. Automatic 003 . Non-pop top
1977 Porsche 911S Targa, 2.7 L with 5spd
1992 Passat G60 Syncro Wagon (SOLD)
1975 Westfalia (SOLD)
1979 Westfalia (SOLD)

[hiwaycallin]

So can you use this while driving, or is it just for camping?

[Caleb Melvin]

Well I wouldn't recommend using it while driving but I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible. It is marketed and used by me while camping in the winter.
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[busfreak_71]

davis911s do you have a link to the heater you bought off of ebay? I can't seem to find the one you used anymore...
_________________
'71 Tin Top Westfalia
'99.5 Bora TDI
'88 Fox Coupe
'85 Mercedes 300SD

Resident Off-Grid hippie and diesel advocate.

[davis911s]

Busfreak- Sorry I won't be of any help. I just looked on Ebay and there are none that I could find. Mine is called at MIKUNI MY16, I was also looking at getting a WEBASTO airtop 2000, but I found the Mikuni for a great deal.

HIWAYCALLIN
- I use mine when driving, I have the heat coming out between my toes, nice and warm!
_________________
"I choose to use CAA on old cars with character...instead of car payments on a new car "

1973 Westfalia, Camper Special with 75 FI. Automatic 003 . Non-pop top
1977 Porsche 911S Targa, 2.7 L with 5spd
1992 Passat G60 Syncro Wagon (SOLD)
1975 Westfalia (SOLD)
1979 Westfalia (SOLD)

[busfreak_71]

[NASkeet]

This Riviera BVW-2 brand, floor-recessed, LPG-fired, warm-air heating system, was specifically designed for modest-sized campervan, such as the 1968~79 VW Type 2, as illustrated above.

The main advantage to this type of heater, is that it does not take up any space in the main passenger cabin or any of the storage lockers, which is the case, with the various types of blown-air heating system, such as the Propex branded units.

Further details of installation, are illustrated in the following book:

John Wickersham, "The Caravan Manual", J. H. Haynes & Company Ltd., 2nd Edition, 1996, Chapter 11 – Installing Space & Water Heaters, pages 127~129, ISBN 1 85960 308 4
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Regards.

Nigel A. Skeet
Editor & Technical Editor
Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.co.uk

[hiwaycallin]

[hiwaycallin]

[jmstu76]