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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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 Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 3:13 pm Post subject: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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I decided I was tired of sitting in my office chair as I've done all week long, so I moved Von Westy from the garage into some fresh air and set up my laptop and area. Also plugged in the new Renogy 100W solar panel to test.
The system does well. My original intent was to mount it in the luggage rack, but glad I didn't after today. I was able to keep the van in the shade while putting the solar panel in direct sunlight.
I'm looking forward to getting some camping in sometime in the next week or so!
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7756
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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I'm considering the same thing, starting immediately... 
- Dave
PS: Tell us about the waistline trim strip on your rig...???
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 6:45 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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@dhaavers-The waistline strip, or what's left of it was already on the van when I bought it. There's the black channel that's riveted to the body, and there's a lighter colored insert that's supposed to fit inside it. Most if the lighter insert material has gone missing over time, and as you can see parts of the black channel are broken.
I've not been able to find anything to replace it so far, though I have to admit I've not really looked for replacement materials. I wonder if it could be remade using 3D printing?
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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jttosh
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2004
Posts: 451
Location: Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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How is your solar power hooked up?
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"listening for the secret,searching for the sound" |
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YosemiteBound
Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2018
Posts: 327
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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Haha can I jump in here as well? What paper towel holder and what fan is that? I’d love both of those things on my rig 
_________________
1985 Westy Round Headlights "Liam" |
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Sat May 02, 2020 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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@jttosh-so far so good with the panel. Just started testing it with the system fully connected. Renogy 100W panel with Renogy Adventurer solar controller. I originally was going to mount the panel in the luggage rack, but glad I didn't I can keep the van in the shade and move the panel around to get full sun exposure. I do need to upgrade my Aux battery to make for a more robust system.
@YosemiteBound-both the paper towel holder and little R2D2 inspired USB fan came with the van when I bought it. The holder is a simple metal strip with two round plastic pieces on each end to hold the cardboard tube in paper towel roll. Currently it's being held by some strong magnets.
The little fan works great, easily maneuverable. I've put it in place when I've got the rear A/C going and needing a blast of cooler air up in the cockpit.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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covelo
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2005
Posts: 825
Location: Fairfax, CA
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| Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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Ours was a combination home school/home office today. (I'm also replacing the canvas which added to the allure).
_________________
'80 Vanagon Westfalia
'72 Bay Window Westfalia (with 2L AVP engine and dual solex carbs) -- sold in 2009 |
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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That's a great "open floorpan" office!
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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I've been working in my driveway from mine for about two months now. It doesn't make my job suck any less, but it's comfy.
I've found that on cold, wet days, i prefer the bench and a narrow table, and some days I like the passenger's seat and use a Westy front table.
I added a jump seat back in this week because it seems to be the best for posture and work position when you're on the job for eleven hours per day.
I can't go out traveling or camping, but at least it's being utilized.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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Jake de Villiers
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| joetiger wrote: |
I've been working in my driveway from mine for about two months now. It doesn't make my job suck any less, but it's comfy.
I've found that on cold, wet days, i prefer the bench and a narrow table, and some days I like the passenger's seat and use a Westy front table.
I added a jump seat back in this week because it seems to be the best for posture and work position when you're on the job for eleven hours per day.
I can't go out traveling or camping, but at least it's being utilized. |
Really digging the new bench seat blanket, Joe!!
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 3:50 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| joetiger wrote: |
I've been working in my driveway from mine for about two months now. It doesn't make my job suck any less, but it's comfy.
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Boy that does look so familar! I'm thinking I need to get a Westy seat on the passenger side to lower the height. I had to swap over my Passenger to Drivers side coming back from Moab because of a well placed lump in my back from the heating element. Neither one is a Westy Seat...another entry in the "to Do" list... getting my front seats sorted out.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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tencentlife
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 10077
Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| Silverghost500 wrote: |
@dhaavers-The waistline strip, or what's left of it was already on the van when I bought it. There's the black channel that's riveted to the body, and there's a lighter colored insert that's supposed to fit inside it. Most if the lighter insert material has gone missing over time, and as you can see parts of the black channel are broken.
I've not been able to find anything to replace it so far, though I have to admit I've not really looked for replacement materials. I wonder if it could be remade using 3D printing? |
My '86 Syncro has the same kind of bumper strips. I'm pretty sure it was a dealer-installed item. Yours is way up along the beltline, mine is along the lower beadline above the body seams. Kinda nice when it keeps car doors from bumping the paintwork, if the car happens to be at the right height, but lots of taller vehicles these days might miss mine, but could hit yours. Many US-made cars and trucks used to come with this. The rubber inserts are probably a standard item, possibly coiled stock, if you can just find the manufacturer.
_________________
Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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GoEverywhere
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2020
Posts: 516
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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I'll confess I do that regularly too. I work 100% remote, so its nice to have a change of scenery sometimes. I've got a wifi booster setup in my rig, and I'm thinking I might add a cell booster as well in the near future.
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 1110
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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The B pillar looks good body color. The vinyl on mine is peeling away and I've been debating re-gluing it or replacing it, and was wondering about just removing it.
There's a lot of space in that panel next to the seat. Did you remove a support? For a long time I've wanted to make pockets in those cutouts but don't remember that one being so big. Looks like it's finished out nicely inside that pocket too. |
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GoEverywhere
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2020
Posts: 516
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:35 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| erste wrote: |
The B pillar looks good body color. The vinyl on mine is peeling away and I've been debating re-gluing it or replacing it, and was wondering about just removing it.
There's a lot of space in that panel next to the seat. Did you remove a support? For a long time I've wanted to make pockets in those cutouts but don't remember that one being so big. Looks like it's finished out nicely inside that pocket too. |
Mines a Riviera, not a Westy so the interior is different. Thats why it looks that way. I've not modified any of it. |
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erste
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2013
Posts: 1110
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| GoEverywhere wrote: |
Mines a Riviera, not a Westy so the interior is different. Thats why it looks that way. I've not modified any of it. |
Maybe that cubby is missing a door? I can see now that it doesn't sit flush with the body like I thought. Hard to tell from the pic. |
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Schnippzle
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2021
Posts: 288
Location: Swede in London, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:57 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| This is the exact plan I have for ours when it's finished. Cannot wait to escape the home office in London to somewhere a lot more green and quiet. |
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GoEverywhere
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2020
Posts: 516
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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| erste wrote: |
| GoEverywhere wrote: |
Mines a Riviera, not a Westy so the interior is different. Thats why it looks that way. I've not modified any of it. |
Maybe that cubby is missing a door? I can see now that it doesn't sit flush with the body like I thought. Hard to tell from the pic. |
Nope, never had a door. Here's a closer look at it for ya. The hole up top is a built in cup holder. There's two of them there but the curtain hides the other one.
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1086
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:02 am Post subject: Re: Von Westy Mobile Office |
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I still use Von Westy on occasion as a "mobile office", but lately I've used it as a mobile reading room. When I want to get away from technology I pack a couple of books in and head to a low or no signal destination.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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