Under Dash A/C

[oldeschoolbus]

[chazz79]

I'm pretty sure it's not in where we live that makes us require A/C, but were we intend on going...

I for one don't wish to trap my family in a rolling sweat lodge for a week at a time. I'd like for them to continue loving the bus as much as I do. That might require me to keep them comfortable.
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[73kombi]

[WestyPop]

Opossum wrote: "There were three styles: overhead, found in standard buses; under dash or jump seat found in Westys. Any of these units will work in any bus, providing you have room."

Ummm... yeah, but if you mount up the overhead type in a sunroof bus, or a poptop Westy, the A/C evaporator housing allows very little headroom for the front seat occupants. AFAIK that is why the under-dash units are thought of by many folks as 'Westy' A/C units.

Gilmore's systems use the newer Sanden/Sankyo/etc-style compressors, which rob far less engine power and, therefore, don't trash the fuel mileage as badly. He has all the conversion pieces, whether you want to stay with R-12(freon) or convert to R134a. Either way, the newer compressor style is a neat upgrade to any baywindow's A/C.

For installation on a bus that did not previously have A/C, I'll bet that the old York or Tecumseh compressors require more extensive cutting (and sealing modifications) to the Type 4 tin also; another point in favor of the newer style A/C compressor.

Have fun.
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J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

[oldeschoolbus]

[Opossum]

[oldeschoolbus]

I've taken a look at this Ed Gilmore's site and supposedly his air conditioner is more effective, less straining on the engine and easier to set up? How much does one of those puppies set you back exactly?

[keifernet]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200



You must not have searched very hard

There have also been several "underdash" A/C related threads the past few weeks if you read back a few pages.

There is also some good reading in the Vanagon forum about A/C with similar info that applies to the Bay bus as far as the system and set up/retrofitting dealer installed components.

I always defer to Ed @ Gilmore ( as posted in many threads) for questions and answers... He knows his stuff.

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

If you are willing to spend once, get a good modern compressor. Yes, any compressor will require hp from your motor, just like a supercharger. The modern ones can require as little as 1/3hp...for a Bus I would think a larger one would be needed and that would require more. An A/C shop should be willing to help.

This subject gets brought up in the Type 3 forum and I would venture a guess that it does in the Type I as well. You may want to search in one of those.
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The First Invasion

[oldeschoolbus]

already did a search so save your breathe. I'm looking for some information about under dash a/c units. If anyone has one or knows of them I would greatly appreciate a few answers, thanks in advance

I read somewhere that under dash A/C was only available from the factory on westfalia models. Does this mean that a non westy (kombi) can't have an under dash a/c installed in it?

I have also heard that running the a/c unit will take away power from the engine. is this true? How significant is it if so.

Can you just run the a/c unit as a fan (as in no cool air, just circulation)?