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chrmcc
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2022
Posts: 24
Location: Houston, TX
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 Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 3:45 am Post subject: AC kits? |
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I recently inherited a 78 bus, lots of memories in this vehicle 
I live in Houston, TX and considering adding AC. Does anyone have experience with any of the kits currently available? Do they work effectively? Any pitfalls to be aware of?
Thanks in advance! |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 6:47 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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Gilmore is the only way to go unless you restore an older system off a relic. It will involve some cutting of sheet metal in the engine bay and some other mods. I have always avoided one because VW engines seem to require occasional removal - even back in the day when they were new they didn't last 200,000 miles like modern cars do. But some folks here have added them.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc..._chars=200
https://www.gilmore-enterprises.net/
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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mikewire
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2010
Posts: 805
Location: San Antonio, TX
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 10:38 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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| mikewire wrote: |
Howdy, I'm in San Antonio and don't have AC...although my Bus used to have it but was missing the compressor and all the rest was old and crusty so I pulled it all out.
A new modern system would be nice, and as an alternative I've been considering getting one of these: https://www.icybreeze.com/
That way I can keep myself and my beverages cool! Plus no drag on the engine with a compressor etc.
I always have a cooler at the cruises and shows anyway, may as well put it to work! |
if you don't mind adding ice and draining the water all the time. Ice can get expensive when traveling too.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 10:46 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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The swamp coolers have been discussed ad nauseum and a new thread will be met with a shovel over the head
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.ssS! |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| The swamp coolers have been discussed ad nauseum and a new thread will be met with a shovel over the head |
I thought you were coming to California where we do all sorts of crazy things like evaporation coolers. I am putting my helmet on now.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Abscate wrote: |
| The swamp coolers have been discussed ad nauseum and a new thread will be met with a shovel over the head |
I thought you were coming to California where we do all sorts of crazy things like evaporation coolers. I am putting my helmet on now.
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I’m too old to lift a shovel over my head but my intern will be over. If you don’t give her at least a 6/10 review she will cry
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.ssS! |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Gilmore is the only way to go |
no sir
ICE makes the same dealer unit VW did:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=659687&highlight=adding
http://www.iceautoair.com/index-1VWBus.html
my 0.02....
any under dash unit will give you frostbite on your knees and be mediocre at best for anyone past the front passenger compartment.
personally, if i were going to add a/c i would do it vanagon style in the rear and blow forward. it would be more of a 'central air' feel
if you want cold air on your face and your nuts, the under dash unit won't do it. it literally blows on your knees
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2022 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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Is ICE still in business? I bought a unit from them for a Nissan many years ago (1983) and it was well designed. They were in San Diego CA at the time.
SK
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chrmcc
Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2022
Posts: 24
Location: Houston, TX
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RalphWiggam
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2018
Posts: 906
Location: SouthEast
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2022 6:15 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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Thats actually pretty damn awesome. I want AC but I certainly dont want to cut a hole in my roof for it. |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2022 7:29 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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| RalphWiggam wrote: |
Thats actually pretty damn awesome. I want AC but I certainly dont want to cut a hole in my roof for it. |
Only uses 19 amps of energy in eco mode – power consumption ranges between 10 amps to 58 amps.
https://www.vanlifeoutfitters.com/store/dometic-coolair-2000-rtx-12-volt-air-conditioner/
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jhingen
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2020
Posts: 93
Location: TEXAS
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2022 9:24 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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I bought the system from Gilmore and it installed really easy, disclaimer my engine was out when I installed compressor. Some of the directions need a little revising but Frank at Gilmore was really helpful with answering questions as I went. I haven't charged it up yet but will be as soon as I am complete with my restoration.
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1974 Westy
2.0
Dual Weber 40's |
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deathman68
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2005
Posts: 342
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2022 10:20 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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All depends on what you're after. I just finished dry fitting the Vintage Air Gen II Super up front and have plans to install their Slimline unit in the headbanger space in the back.
I had to remove part of the fresh air duct, but maintained fresh air flap functionality on both sides which was a hard requirement going into the mod. I'll let you know in a few months how it works, but having a dual system should take care of my heating/cooling/defrosting needs and pump out OEM-level BTUs to boot.
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1973 Riviera “Annie”
Build Thread: 1973 Riviera+Subaru 2.5+5 Speed
EJ25+5 Speed Conversion Part/Cost Tracker |
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69BahamaYellow
Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Talbott, TN
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 3:51 am Post subject: Re: AC kits? |
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To the OP, I can tell you from experience that this setup will cool your whole bus in TX heat. It puts the cold air exactly where you need it. Don’t know of any kits that use an overhead setup like this, so you’d be in DIY territory to refurbish a used one
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