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Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:32 pm

I have been hunting around for a good forum for Vanagons and Eurovans, looks like I finally found it. Already have gotten some good feedback. For my needs a Vanagon might work, with possible exception which is actually a deal killer if there is no solution. I spend a lot of time in places where it is hot in the summer (115 on rare occasions, 105 commonly), so I need good AC even if the van is parked. Do any of the Vanagons fit the bill, or am I purely in Eurovan country?

Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:36 pm

diver110 wrote: I have been hunting around for a good forum for Vanagons and Eurovans, looks like I finally found it. Already have gotten some good feedback. For my needs a Vanagon might work, with possible exception which is actually a deal killer if there is no solution. I spend a lot of time in places where it is hot in the summer (115 on rare occasions, 105 commonly), so I need good AC even if the van is parked. Do any of the Vanagons fit the bill, or am I purely in Eurovan country?

"good AC even if the van is parked ... Eurovan country"

Hardly .. you are in RV country :lol:

unless ... You want go with one those home window 110 volt A/C contraption, somewhere on a thread here someone even posted a picture of a Cadillac jalope with one on the boot lid I believe.

The A/C in mine is ok, keeps me cool, not cold mind you in this here Mojave, so in summer I escape to and around the Hoh on the Peninsula whenever I can or to the California beaches.

Good luck

I had to edit, just had to ...

This is NOT a good forum, it is the very best, THE Mecca of VW knowledge, now that's figuratively speaking let's not start throwing rocks at black rocks :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:52 am

First, no matter what, the Germans don't do AC well in any car they make.

As far as AC in a Vanagon is concerned, it depends on what model.

There are window van models that have AC ducting along the ceiling from the front to the back. Works good.

Campers really need both front and rear AC. Many campers have the rear AC. The front is RARE. Most vans only have one AC. Custom is dual front and rear and not factory.

What you want is a white van with well tinted windows. Then you need to have a pro set up the AC.

Investigate RedTek refrigerant.

So what model are you looking at?

Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:32 am

A Vanagon AC system be it in a Westfaila or a non camper is marginal at best-due mostly to no servicing ever, and a problem with the current offerings of refrigerant.
Big window area, low horses to power the compressor, extra long refrigerant lines to aide in the loss of the refrigerant, and above all efficiancy.

It can & will work wonder's if properly serviced and with the help of the best current offering of an alternative freon--Red-Tek.

It all depends on how the guy in front of you took care of the system.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:32 am

Thanks for the feedback. I see now I was a bit unclear. How is the Vanagon AC, sitting in the front seat, parked? Thanks.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:46 am

diver110 wrote: Thanks for the feedback. I see now I was a bit unclear. How is the Vanagon AC, sitting in the front seat, parked? Thanks.

Stopped at the light ... good. Parked ? I would not dare even try.

Diver, just realize it. A Vanagon will NOT do what you want do. In fact It seems to me that in your price range nothing will do what you want do.

Now if money is NOT an issue you could :arrow:
1-
Dometic 15,000 BTU Brisk Air Roof Unit Air Conditioner 459516

2- something like this

then
3-

at the minimum something like this

a mere $1400 approx.

This way parked, you can run your A/C all night --IF-- no one calls the coppers for your generator "disturbing" the peace.

Simple isn't it ? :idea: and it has the added advantages that you can beat on more than the Van, trailer, A/C , generator, sure must feel good

\:D/ \:D/ \:D/

Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:21 am

I'm not sure what you mean about 'AC when parked' -- but know that the stock Vanagon AC only operates when the engine is running. AC when parked with an 110V hook-up (what some call 'camping') is an aftermarket thing that is cumbersome but not unworkable.

Living in a climate like you describe (temps in the 100s) I would say the stock AC (if properly operating) is enough to keep a cool van cool (e.g. one that has been parked in a garage prior to driving) but not enough to cool down a really hot van (one that has been parked in the sun for an hour or two).

Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:29 pm

The A/C in most vehicles only runs with the the engine running the compressor. RVs have an aux. generator for this.

Parked (eg. camping), the alternative would be a small portable A/C (http://www.royalsovereign.com/products/view/41/specs#details) and a portable generator to power it.

I have a white Vanagon with heat-reflective tinting on the windows and use solar and/or a portable generator to run 12v fans.

Cold, no. Cool, yes.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:13 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: I'm not sure what you mean about 'AC when parked' -- but know that the stock Vanagon AC only operates when the engine is running. AC when parked with an 110V hook-up (what some call 'camping') is an aftermarket thing that is cumbersome but not unworkable.

Living in a climate like you describe (temps in the 100s) I would say the stock AC (if properly operating) is enough to keep a cool van cool (e.g. one that has been parked in a garage prior to driving) but not enough to cool down a really hot van (one that has been parked in the sun for an hour or two).

I don't normally have this much trouble expressing myself clearly. I meant parked, with the engine running. Does sound like that might be a stretch for the Vanagon. I assume the more modern Eurovan can handle it.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:22 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: I meant parked, with the engine running. Does sound like that might be a stretch for the Vanagon. I assume the more modern Eurovan can handle it.
Don't assume that.

Today it was about 84 in San Diego. Our white Routan with dual AC did NOT cool the van down just parked and engine running after being parked for a few hours in the sun. The correct term to use is: "idle."

While idling our almost new VW Routan (Chrysler Town and Country) which is white and has tinted windows could NOT cool the van down.

The Eurovan will NOT do any better.

You got to be moving to get the system to really move enough air to make the system work well.

You ask too much.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:15 pm

There are really two issues here:

1. Amount of space to be cooled
2. Speed of system

*****************

You got a lot of space in the van so simple physics kick in. If you want cooled you can either:

a. reduce the amount of space to be cooled
b. increase the size of the cooling system

The vanagon A/C compressor is a bit bigger than my old VW Fox 4 banger. That Fox was small inside, and idling in the driveway would not quickly or substantially reduce the heat. At freeway speed though, I had to turn the A/C down many times, even when external temps were in the 90s to 100s.

Why? That leads us to point 2:

When the engine is idling, it's turning about 900 rpms (give or take ~ my 85 idles at 950 when warm). At freeway speeds it's turning about 3200-3700 rpms or about 4 times as fast as idle.

Now, what drives the compressor? Isn't it the flywheel from the engine? If so, then the compressor is doing more work at speed than idle. At least that's my observational assumption ~ any A/C system I ever had worked far better at driving speed than idling.

********************

So what can you do:

1. Listen to TK ~ fix the system, get it dialed in, works pretty well
2. Reduce the space. Get a front A/C (Behr is one original maker, I don't know if there were others) and hang a screen/blanket behind the front seats to enclose a smaller area. You've seen refrigeration rooms that work this way ~ with the plastic hanging down that you walk through. No reason you can't achieve similar efficiency with minimal effort. Of course, like some here, you could go all out and do some really kick-butt custom set up...

I suspect the vanagon can do what you want, but I'll bet it's going to take time/money to get the system and van to that point.

Best,

B.

Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:27 pm

Thanks for the feedback.

Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:51 am

PS. I have owned cars that could run at idle for long periods with the AC running and keeping things cool.

Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:43 pm

PS--

You might have owned cars that you could run for a short period of time in moderate temps that the AC would keep the cabin half cool.
But in the same heat as last summer, that AC unit wouldn't keep anyhthing too cool without a big blast of moving air blowing through the condensor.
No air flow=no cool air, it's a fact of AC operation.
Maybe you mounted a box fan on the front bumper to give your ride
the faux feeling of air flow.

Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:22 am

Terry Kay wrote: PS--

You might have owned cars that you could run for a short period of time in moderate temps that the AC would keep the cabin half cool.
But in the same heat as last summer, that AC unit wouldn't keep anyhthing too cool without a big blast of moving air blowing through the condensor.
No air flow=no cool air, it's a fact of AC operation.
Maybe you mounted a box fan on the front bumper to give your ride
the faux feeling of air flow.

I'll second that. In a Vanagon it's not even open for discussion.
I have tried in rental cars, basically the same thing at least here. I would not know much about A/C efficiency in the frozen tundras of the North East. :lol: