Westfalia A/C vents & removing plenum

[campism]

What did you do to fill or cover the routed slot in the front of the upper cabinet that the back edge of the plenum used to fit into?
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[avernon82]

I got a new front from Louis Warfield at Rhino Design Studios

[campism]

Ah, I thought you originally meant the black grille only and not the full front panel of the cabinet.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[dsdunbar]

Digging this up from the archives.

I just had my AC overhauled to R134a. I am seriously considering removing the plenum for all of the said benefits, but I'd like to add a louvered grill, such that if the back passengers complain of it not being cold enough, I can redirect air down.

I was thinking of something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSDYF90/ref=psdc_13400071_t1_B006J2VDPY

But I do not know what the dimension of the opening is when the plenum is removed.

Other design constraints I am not thinking about with this approach? I would need to have enough depth for the louvered vanes to move...Not sure if that will be an issue.

thanks
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'89 2WD Westy "Grey Goose" - Manual 4spd
Crozet VA
Vanaru EJ25, Peloquin

[bobbyblack]

I like your idea of making some vent directors, BUT, if your fan works anything like mine, the folks in the back will immediately tell you to turn it down from freezing them and the hurricane wind if you put it on fan #3 or #4
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Steve Arndt]

What is the best way to deal with the wiring harness that runs front to back on my 87 after plenum removal. It isn't going to be fun...

[dsdunbar]

Not sure what you mean. Take a look at Kam's pdf to ensure we're talking the same parts:

http://oldbluesblog.com/files/RemovingthePlenum.pdf

[Paulbeard]

[dsdunbar]

Awesome, thanks PaulsBeard!

[Reckless Amateur]

Plenum removers:

I got a new front panel from Rhino Design after removing the plenum, but I'm not quite sure how to install it. Looks like I have to take the evaporator box down and maybe there's L brackets or some such that attach the front of the box (where the speakers are). Or what? Help appreciated.
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91 Bostig-powered Westy (automatic)
Philadelphia, PA

[pinetreeporsche]

[campism]

I don't recall hearing of anyone trying that but knock yourself out. It would need to funnel a portion of the blast into something like 2" PVC tube that snaked down into the spice rack and you'd need to punch out the front end or snake the tube out again to get it near the driver's head. Might affect the goodness of the airflow. Experiment with a mockup before making irreversible cuts, of course.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[jimf909]

I saw a neat solution here but can't find it. Someone made a fabric duct that ran from the back ac cabinet straight to the front. When it wasn't needed it was folded up. It's been on my mind but the plenum removal increased the airflow so much it's not as important but it would still be nice to get more cool air in front of my body.
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- Jim

[Steve Arndt]

[bobbyblack]

Y'all know there is a duct already running from the back to the front, right? And, to boot, it goes right into the front air box. Its controlled by the part of the dash levers called Rear Vents. Plug those overhead outlets, and stop the fresh air from entering at the very front of the outside air inlet (top grill, kit by Vanistan is good for this) and the passenger door lower vent slider, and Bob's Your Uncle. Just got to drop the A/C cabinet, cut an access on the passenger side, and cut your way into that duct. I'd look for an in-line high pressure fan to place in the A/C cabinet to force that cool air up the duct. There is a ready-made spot of unused space there, behind the PS speaker.

On a side note, the fabric idea works. I've used such a "sock" made out of a bed sheet that I sewed into a 30' sock starting about 12" (to match my wood stove's blower duct) and then stapled the sock around the lower edge of my music studio wall (well, its a garage really). Turn fan on, sock inflates and oozes warm air. When needing to record, just kill the blower fan, and its silent.

If you want to have a blast of air, make an opening.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Syncronoid]

Pulled everything out over the last two days. Compressor, all the plumbing to and from the condenser, drier, exchanger, electrical and every little part associated to the AC. Taking the remaining cabinet to Rhino Designs Monday to have a new cabinet and/or face made to turn the space into usable storage. I never used the AC in the 9yrs I've owned it. Au revoir!

Used these leftover wood wine boxes to support the cabinet et. al. as I carefully unscrewed everything. Didn't know what to expect.

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'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[VWagabond]

Man if you lived here in the south you wouldn't be taking it out, you'd be making it work before it gets hot & steamy.

Be Cool
Tom
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The Road Goes Ever On & On……...
VWagabond
87 Camper GL
87 Syncro GL

[khughes]

[pinetreeporsche]

Synchronoid: The inserts (looks like) in the windows- are they some kind of thin insulation foam? What keeps them in their window-frames. Looks great, anyhow. If they keep you cool/war, that's even better.

[Syncronoid]

Nope, that's just the textured side of the house.