Universal Front A/C Units

[[email protected]]

digging up and old thread, Particularly directed at warren as it looks like he has done what I am going to try and do:

I just got a Behr unit complete and I would like to tie it into my existing unit when I start redoing the westy in the next few months. the unit I have has 2 fans on it and looks like 2 fan controls for a "dual zone" type setup. Am I correct?

What I would like to do is possibly make one switch run the 2 fans in the Behr unit, and the other replace the current switch for the rear, allthogh the rear is 4 speed as oppsed to the fronts 3. Also could the rear temp control be controled by the same one that is on the Behr faceplate? That would do away with rear "switches that are just to the right of my stereo and I coul possibly use that area for the vent install instead of the usual radio spot. I definitly can't loose my radio spot unless it maybe whent overhead, as I use it too much while camping, that remote is really handy to have!

Any reccomendations?
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Markus

[dixoncj]

Kayak westy. Here's my Advice: DO NOT USE A EUROPEAN COOLER AIR SETUP. We installed one - spent thousands and RIPPED THE WHOLE DAMN THING OUT to replace it with a Behr. Jerry's a nice enough guy, but his follow thru and customer service were terrible. The expert VW shop I had do the A/C work was far from impressed with the setup at all and advised me against it. I should have listened.The ONLY way I would even consider going with one of Jerry's units is if you use a rear A/C in addtion to a front and use a very cold refrigerant like HFC12a. But I think you're asking for trouble basically.

[Crankey]

anyone ever experience a swamp cooler ?

[dixoncj]

swamp coolers only work in desert climates

[bucko]

[[email protected]]

[Tiiconaut]

This may be a crazy idea but, has anyone tried a simple Honda 2000i generator and portable AC combo?
These new generators are super quiet and can run up to 15 hours per gallon. they have internal inverters. They automatically maintain thier engine speed and power output to the most efficient level under all usage loads. (increases RPM's for a few seconds when it senses the AC powering up)

There are just so many more things to go wrong with installing AC....and the compressor decreases gas mileage/horsepower. there could be a way to weld up a mount for the Honda 2000i maybe in the right side air-intake area which is empty in my i4 conversion.

[campism]

"I'd suggest attempting to get ahold of a wiring schematic from a Dodge Caravan that had the dual AC setup, and mimic that."

My other van is a '95 Plymouth Grand Voyager with the dual A/C and I will check the Haynes manual to see how this is set up. It may be worth pursuing.

Later that night: Haynes gives it about 1 1/4 pages on the location and diagram of the rear A/C with only the most basic of info, and one more page of the total A/C schematic. You'd need to be pretty handy, intuitive and creative to apply this to your own situation, but it might be worth a try. Heaven knows, some of you guys are wizards where these vans are concerned.

[I am Wildcat]

I wanted to brush off the cobwebs on this thread to see if anyone else has any long term, first-hand experience using one of the Vanagon a/c setups from European Cooler Air. Please note, first-hand experience. Not just opinion and conjecture.

Now that it's been several years, I'm curious if those with problems are still having problems or if they decided to go a different way. Perhaps the materials and/or install technique have improved over the last 4 years or so? I appreciate your information.
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No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+

[dixoncj]

Wildcat - check yer Private msgs.

[r39o]

[dixoncj]

I dont' think it's good 'vanma' to slam anyone's product publicly on a bboard. Hence the PM.

[r39o]

[dixoncj]

D'ohhh! Well, it was pretty much exactly that. Nothing against ECA personally, but the unit we put in a van was a waste of money.

[dr. no]

We now have a diesel (1.6td) in the bus, and have not yet found a way to attach a compressor to this. Otherwise, no new comments to prior postings. With front and back units it would cool the bus except driving into sunset in high summer (and we get summer most months...).

Since then I have torn into the dash (also converted auto-->manual) and found nothing horrible about the installation, except it is difficult to get the various hoses back in.

BTW, anyone have a source for the vent that fits in the radio slot?
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Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper


PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

[r39o]

[I am Wildcat]

I contacted Vintage Air in San Antonio, Texas to see if they offered a product specifically for the Vanagon. They said they do not, but they do have a dealer that installs in VW vehicles. That dealer is Vintage Air Cooled in New Mexico. I can't seem to find a web site on them, so I thought I would post here to see if anyone has any experiences with them. Speak up if you do!
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No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+

[?Waldo?]

[Williamtaylor33]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=409551&highlight=vintage+air

I ended up buying a behr unit. 350 or 400 I think
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89 Bostig powered syncro westy

[randywebb]

bump as the lack of a/c (not lack of a Syncro, Subaru AWD) is the main factor limiting my use of the Westy

- any other options for getting a complete, useful a/c installed somewhere by somebody??
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.