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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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 Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:04 am Post subject: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Hello, wondering if anyone has installed the Truma Saphir under bench unit sold by Campervanculture.com in their Vanagon as full time AC unit? Seems like you could run some duct to front of dash and run on auxiliary power while driving. Added benefit of camp AC on those hot nights too! |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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Who are you?
Maybe do an "Intro Post" or something saying hello!
Possibly include a link to tje AC unit you are referring to.
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There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Red Ryder
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2021
Posts: 951
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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Easy does it there, Steve. No rule here that a first-time poster need introduce themselves.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
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bobbyblack 
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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maybe half a point there Ol Red.. I looked at that web page a while, could not find the mentioned device.
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Red Ryder
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2021
Posts: 951
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| bobbyblack wrote: |
| maybe half a point there Ol Red.. I looked at that web page a while, could not find the mentioned device. |
https://campervanculture.com/shop/truma-saphir-compact-under-bench-air-conditioning-unit/
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red |
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Yellow Rabbit
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2005
Posts: 1146
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:16 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| 55 amps on 12v. What’s a Truckfridge use, like 6 maybe? That’s not going to run for long unless you plug into shore power. |
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1088
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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That a/c unit is about 22 inches long. It might interfere with the sheetmetal firewall at the back of the bench.
This looks to be European spec electrical rather than US spec.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
Who are you?
Maybe do an "Intro Post" or something saying hello!
Possibly include a link to tje AC unit you are referring to. |
Sorry about that Steve. My name is Jason and coming back into the VW world with a '86 Syncro after letting all my various VW's go over 25 years ago. Looking for an AC solution and didn't see this anywhere on the forum so thought I would ask. Seems like it could be a low cost interesting solution while on the road and the alternator is charging auxiliary batteries. Probably not realistic for use while camping unless plugged into shore power. Thanks for the reply.
https://campervanculture.com/shop/truma-saphir-compact-under-bench-air-conditioning-unit/ |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1088
Location: Atlanta, GA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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@jmjardine Welcome! What kind of Vanagon do you have? If you're looking for an a/c camping solution many of us are using small window style units that we sit on a platform in one of the front windows, or if you've got a pop top sit it in the luggage rack, and either make or buy a fabric piece that acts like a tunnel from the a/c thought the front window of the popup tent.
That latter one is the way I've gone using a Fancher's cone on the front of the tent. Made a world of difference camping a couple of weeks ago.
The window unit, or the one you shared would need shore power to run, or a generator.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| jmjardine wrote: |
| Steve M. wrote: |
Who are you?
Maybe do an "Intro Post" or something saying hello!
Possibly include a link to tje AC unit you are referring to. |
Sorry about that Steve. My name is Jason and coming back into the VW world with a '86 Syncro after letting all my various VW's go over 25 years ago. Looking for an AC solution and didn't see this anywhere on the forum so thought I would ask. Seems like it could be a low cost interesting solution while on the road and the alternator is charging auxiliary batteries. Probably not realistic for use while camping unless plugged into shore power. Thanks for the reply.
https://campervanculture.com/shop/truma-saphir-compact-under-bench-air-conditioning-unit/ |
Yeah I should have put a  after asking who you were!
Welcome back to the invanity.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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55amps on 12v, but it's 230-240vac and not really going to find that too easy I think in a paid for campsite.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Silverghost500 wrote: |
@jmjardine Welcome! What kind of Vanagon do you have? If you're looking for an a/c camping solution many of us are using small window style units that we sit on a platform in one of the front windows, or if you've got a pop top sit it in the luggage rack, and either make or buy a fabric piece that acts like a tunnel from the a/c thought the front window of the popup tent.
That latter one is the way I've gone using a Fancher's cone on the front of the tent. Made a world of difference camping a couple of weeks ago.
The window unit, or the one you shared would need shore power to run, or a generator. |
Thank you! We have a '86 Westy pop-top Syncro. Really looking for AC while driving to SoCal to see our kids and we spend a lot of time in the desert off-road. Considering the small car dash AC but I came across this unit and thought it was interesting. But, doesn't sound like it works for our intended use which is mostly while driving. |
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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Appreciate all the replies everyone. Sounds like we should just go with something like the small car dash AC. Thank you! |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7472
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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Welcome! Enjoy your new van!
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Just be aware that the Small Car unit has its unique features.
No more ram air fresh air. Recirculate cabin air only.
Many report it is adequate to cool the front passengers but does littke for people in the rear seats, do not expect the entire Van to be cool. Some make a curtain to contain the cool air in the front seat area.
The VW Evaporator coil that cools the entire Van is 28” long and about 6” square. You will not be fitting that cooling capacity in the dash.
Dave |
Thanks Dave. I have heard the woes of that unit and it seems as there is no ideal solution at any cost. The small car unit is not so cheap either. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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Do you happen to have the original AC mounted in the back by any chance?
If you remove all the ductwork going forward all reports say it is a much better airflow.
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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SoloTheSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2021
Posts: 51
Location: NorCal
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:18 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
Do you happen to have the original AC mounted in the back by any chance?
If you remove all the ductwork going forward all reports say it is a much better airflow. |
Hi Steve, Gowesty did a full restoration on this Syncro in 2012 and removed all the AC guts. So, a good opportunity to find a better than OEM option! |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: Truma Saphir Air Conditioner |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
Do you happen to have the original AC mounted in the back by any chance?
If you remove all the ductwork going forward all reports say it is a much better airflow. |
I cry BS on that theory! ^^^ Personal experience tells me otherwise......
Not unlike the widely held opinion that "Vanagon "factory" A/C is crap and they NEVER worked well, even when new"
That has certainly been proven incorrect by many people!
I just hung my ducts up to STAY UP.
Having duct work is FAR SUPERIOR to using the blower fans to create a Nor'Easter in the rear and blowing it forward to the front seats!
I think that owners are simply frustrated with the old decaying plastic, endless attempts at repairs that don't work, they threw up their hands in frustration ripped it out and declared it to have better airflow without ducts.
Just like not being able to fix a 30 year old decayed A/C system on the cheap, throwing up their hands in frustration and declaring the entire system to be crap from day 1 and ripping it out.
Anyway.......Rant over......
A link to fixing the duct work.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=757559
Dave
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Last edited by djkeev on Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:43 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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