Hold post for AC system replacement announcement

[shagginwagon83]

Calling it - Summer 2027 the hold thread will be lifted!

I am really interested in the 24v version that advertises:
UN 0891-24VC
BTU: 43720
Cooling Capacity: 11017 Kcal./H
Max Air Vol: 762 CFM

If I drop my headbanger, I will upgrade - and additionally figure out how to buck the voltage.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[khughes]

[harvgwen]

https://www.amazon.ca/Just-Needs-Recharge-Mechanic-Conditioning/dp/0998950718
AC hasn’t made it to the top of my to do list yet, but I read this book recently. I definitely learned a lot and wouldn’t hesitate to tackle the ac myself now.
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1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

[ledogboy]

Ok, the heck with it- I’m in. I can’t live with the stock early ‘86 A/C any longer! I don’t relish DIY when it comes to A/C, but I’ll get my head wrapped around it. I figure I will have to go to a shop to get the existing system evacuated, and then I should be able to strip the old system down with impunity. I don’t know if I should invest in a vacuum system and plan to charge it myself, or if I should just leave that part to a shop.

It seems like some of you are just patching the stock controls in- is that correct? Does anyone have a wiring diagram they could share?

Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!

*edit*
I should mention that I have replaced every hose and added the GoWesty parallel flow condenser, and still found the A/C lacking. I have paid shops too much money for A/C work over the years, and never ended up with adequate cooling, hence finally diving in myself.
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[MrTibbs]

It was an improvement in my rig as it has the small 84 evap.

[mathieux46]

Why or how is this evaporator better than the Vanagon unit?

The 86+ Vanagon evaporator is huge, I wonder if this one is even bigger or better design to improve cooling?

[MrTibbs]

We had a near 100 degree day here in Austin. Took the rig out a little roadtrip and the AC kept up great.

[shagginwagon83]

[Ar_sims]

[MrTibbs]

I recently did this upgrade for my 84.

A few years ago I did the condenser upgrade, built and installed new lines, the whole shebang.

However, the system work just ok and could not keep up when it got into the 90s down in Texas.

So, I took a chance and installed this unit.

Massive difference. If you have the old small evap unit, this is a no brainer.

A little bit of fab work to keep the stock headbanger cabinet, but I would not call it a hard project to get sorted.

The unit is running of a older Subaru compressor.

[zimflux]

Great work all!

Curious about thoughts on:

-Wiring diagram for new evaporator setup.
-EZ clip or barrier hose
-Which new model compressor is best right now? Enhanced SD7 with K head?
-How to add idle boost control if van is without

Good stuff!!
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84 Westy w/ 2.1 MV

[scotty timmerman]

I just installed one of these evaporator units. I was able to hang the unit with the provided brackets, hook up the lines and wires then slide the cabinet into place. I did some minor trimming around the speakers and for the width. I used the new fan/resistor wiring harness from the unit and was able to hook it up to the original wiring harness. I don’t want to cut up the original plastic vent housing so I made a new faceplate to use 3 of the original vents for more air flow. To fill the gaps I glued some foam into place. When it’s summertime I will update with how it performs.

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71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[shagginwagon83]

Stacy, I can't recommend the 32k unit more. For the cost - you can't beat it.

On SmallCar's "kit" to add another AC unit, they have a valve in case you want to run each system independently. But if you want both systems to always be running a simple Tee should work.

I will say, you might want to consider setting up an alternative switch. The one that is included with this AC unit stopped working a couple months in.

I believe the ultimate solution is to have small control wires going up front and letting relays control the power going to the motors.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin

[16CVs]

I have the newer larger in dash unit from SCP and it works fairly well on hot days and especially well with a curtain place.

I do like this as it would give dual zone and eliminate the cold knee I have now. My biggest concern is how well my system will push 2 units and the fact that I run a Subaru and the hoses are all on the passenger side. Ideally if I weren't a purist I would run them up the inner wall and find some way to cap the off,

Ideally as with others I would want it tucked away and stock looking. I don't really use y head banger that much so it would not be much of a sacrifice.

The install looks pretty basic, just cut the lines and put a TEE in them and run wires up front, Oh so tempting as it would make hot runs that much more enjoyable.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[SuperVanagon.com]

[ledogboy]

This seems like a heck of a solution, though not something I’m excited to DIY. Hopefully the idea catches on, and vendors / shops start supporting this as an option.
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1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice...

[scotty timmerman]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I would also like to use the existing wiring. Did you hang the evaporator unit and headbanger box together as one? Or mount the evaporator unit then slide the headbanger box in place like how it is originally?
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[shagginwagon83]

[scotty timmerman]

Are there any updates on this conversion coming soon? Do you have anymore pictures of the unit in the headbanger box? I'm thinking of doing this conversion on my 84 this winter and I would like to keep the headbanger box for the stock look.
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[shagginwagon83]

I was reviewing some data/catalogs you provided me and I found there is a 24v version of this AC unit.

The catalog states a 5,227 BTU and 146 CFM increase compared to the 12v version.

https://www.amazon.com/HVAC-Unit-Case-Assembly-0891-24VC/dp/B07Y8TY14Y

I mean that sounds worth installing a power transformer to buck the voltage.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin