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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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 Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:10 am Post subject: air conditioning? |
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| Is there a roof unit or other unit that people recommend using? Is there a thread already? Does your westy have factory AC for use going down the road? |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:37 am Post subject: Re: air conditioning? |
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| climber2377 wrote: |
| Is there a roof unit or other unit that people recommend using? Is there a thread already? Does your westy have factory AC for use going down the road? |
Good question because I'm considering a roof top unit similar to what is on the gigantic RV's. I have a feeling they are running off a transformer kicking out AC volts. I did a quick search a few months ago and did not see a small enough unit that I liked.
There are small A/C systems used on smaller pleasure boats which operate from 12vdc, but memory seems to think 12vdc motors do not seem to last long compared to the higher voltage units. There are 24vdc units out there and a step-up transformer would work, but I'm still slowly researching it.
This helps! |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:08 am Post subject: Re: air conditioning? |
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For use while parked I think you're going to need to be plugged into shore power (110VAC). I rather doubt there is anything effective that your 12VDC battery(s) and electrics could handle.
Many threads on this -- basically of people who mount a small window AC unit (from Home Depot. Lowes etc) either in the drivers window (installed after they're parked) or in the luggage rack (to blow in through the front screen window of the tent).
| climber2377 wrote: |
| ... Does your westy have factory AC for use going down the road? |
Yes. Fine for getting there, otherwise I try to avoid multi-days stays in places that are hot and sticky -- easier to do in the mountains and deserts of the West & Southwest.
I can't recall the last time I 'camped' next to an AC power hook-up -- not really the sort of place I care to be. |
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Terry Kay
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:28 am Post subject: |
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There is not any roof mounted unit produced that can be supported by the Westfalia's fiberglass roof.
Most folks have or are working on getting their factory AC set up working.
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Corwyn 
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2239
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:20 am Post subject: |
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T.K. is back! I hope all is well. you were very missed out her I "vanland"!
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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I thought i saw somewhere that someone put a unit of some kind in the back closet. |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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That ^ was for shore power when parked.
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Are there any small portable generators like the little red Honda that would be able to run an AC unit? |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, but they're not little or small.
Seems like you'll need about 3kw to keep a small window AC unit running;
takes even more to power the surge when it kicks on.
This question comes up every year...is it spring already...???
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure SOMEONE will come up with it this year... 
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4098
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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What, nobody gonna spank the new-bee for not using the "Search"??
You guys are getting soft! 
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Currently:
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Help the fight against Truth Decay.
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| dhaavers wrote: |
| ...This question comes up every year...is it spring already...??? |
Currently 88° here at 4:23 in the afternoon so yeah, I've verified the A/C is good to go.
As far as heat & humidity when camping: like tornadoes, floods and death --I plan to be somewhere else when it happens. |
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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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| My plan was to post and get a link to the forum topics of the past, but if you want to be that guy, you are welcome. Might be new to this forum, but I m not new to the internet. Maybe volkswagon people are not as amiable as subaru folk? |
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ak_runner
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007
Posts: 231
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Factory Westy A/C does not work that well even when it is in top shape. The best one I have seen takes some work to do and involves putting an in dash system in. I have seen one van with this and trust the owner when he says it works great. I do not know whom first did this but the person I know got the parts list from someone whom had posted it online at one time and then he gathered the parts installed them. It would not be a project for the faint of heart I suspect but it beats the factory system and if you have none at all may be the better road to pursue than finding a factory system ti install and having a weak system.
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AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Dave, I m currently working from my "stupid" phone so its not the best time for in depth research, figured a thread would help steer me in the right direction. I ve seen several vans with little fans in them as well. I've not purchased my westy yet but have allotted some funds for the occasion that I happen to find it. There is an 81 I m looking at but it does not have AC... I think it is in great shape otherwise and has relatively low miles...About 100k. There is very little rust and although I would eventually want to put a subaru engine in and would prefer to start with a watercooled model for that conversion, I can't help but think the condition of this body with low miles might be a good place to start. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| climber2377 wrote: |
| Thanks Dave, I m currently working from my "stupid" phone so its not the best time for in depth research, figured a thread would help steer me in the right direction. I ve seen several vans with little fans in them as well. I've not purchased my westy yet but have allotted some funds for the occasion that I happen to find it. There is an 81 I m looking at but it does not have AC... I think it is in great shape otherwise and has relatively low miles...About 100k. There is very little rust and although I would eventually want to put a subaru engine in and would prefer to start with a watercooled model for that conversion, I can't help but think the condition of this body with low miles might be a good place to start. |
Many have converted air cooled to water cooled, just cut out for the lower grill and slip in a radiator! Sounds easy doesn't it? 
Fewer have cobbled a radiator into the rear...... Seems too difficult and cramped for me.
Rust, learn the rust spots and check out your potential purchase for rust. It can be fixed but is expensive and at times involved. Best to find a rust free body and build upon that.
Good Luck!
Dave
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| As far as heat & humidity when camping: like tornadoes, floods and death --I plan to be somewhere else when it happens. |
| climber2377 wrote: |
| My plan was to post and get a link to the forum topics of the past, but if you want to be that guy, you are welcome. Might be new to this forum, but I m not new to the internet. Maybe volkswagon people are not as amiable as subaru folk? |
A) Volkswagen
B) We're plenty amiable; however, it helps tremendously to spell out, in detail, the information you're seeking in your first post. For example:
Hi! I'm in the market for a Westy and am currently looking at a 1981 air-cooled. It's great body-wise and mechanical-wise, but it lacks A/C and I must have A/C. Is there any way to retrofit A/C? Is it worth it to retrofit A/C, or should I wait for a van that already has A/C? What does everyone use for A/C while parked? If you could point me to existing topics that'd be great. Thanks!
C) From the camping sticky:
Portable A/C: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=417287
12v portable A/C: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336890
Too hot in the van: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=519665
From the FAQ sticky:
Universal front A/C units: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=234572
From a search:
Retrofitting A/C: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=480685
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climber2377
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2013
Posts: 230
Location: northeast
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the tips. Did I mention I m typing on my stupif phone? |
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