12V Dometic Rooftop A/C install in a Westy

[surfinwesty]

[10degnorth]

That is a lot of power!

The original Crooked Finger Dometic A/C install is on my buddy's van, it's pretty slick.

He's not a Samba user but I'd be happy to answer any questions on it or forward them to him for responses.
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1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[steve244]

[MarkWard]

[dieseltdi]

Since I will soon be installing a coast mountain hightop on my westy, this discussion has gotten me thinking, pondering and comparing. There are numerous china made 12 volt ac units now available on eBay and Amazon at the same or nearly the same price as the 120 volt RV ac units. At least one is a dead ringer for the Dometic unit. For my own personal use, I have decided to go with a standard, 120 volt, low profile, 9500 btu unit by Houghton sold through Recpro, an RV parts and restoration supplier. For me, I camp most of the time in state parks with electrical hookups and only occasionally in national parks. I never boondock. The extra expense of a 180 ah plus lithium battery plus dc/dc charger is not something I want to do. I do have the under dash Behr ac unit that I am still working on for ac while driving so that is another factor for me. I will still be watching to see the evolution of these units over time. Maybe in the future, it will make sense for me but not currently.
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Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion
2022 ID.4 Pro S
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list!

[MarkWard]

Generally we camp in state parks when possible too. We left from Florida end of May this year and carried our 5000 btu window unit to Colorado and back. First night camping in North Florida, a slight cool front had move in. Didn't need the AC. The rest of the trip we did not need the AC for camping. Its a small form factor and sets up quick, but something a little more permanent for camping would be nice. 12 volt even better. Every year it gets closer to becoming a reality.
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[surfinwesty]

Update: My thermometer came in today and I was able to run the Dometic RTX2000 AC in 94 degree weather in direct sunlight. Pretty unbearable inside as the temperature was over 100 degrees when I opened the door.

In boost mode, the Vanagon near the captain’s chair went from 100.4 to 78 degrees in about 15 minutes. As the outside temp dropped from 94 to 90, the temperature got down to 76-77 degrees.

See below:


Link


Tomorrow is going to be much hotter. I plan to test it again and in different locations and scenarios (top up or down, etc). I’ll update then.
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Current Love:
"Adobe" 1984 VW Westy w/Subi

Retired:
"Swell Chaser #1" 1980 Westy (in VW Heaven)
"Swell Chaser #2" 1981 Westy (sold to loving family on TheSamba forum)

[steve244]

How about the back? Nevermind, I watched the video.

This is great performance in the front seats.

Did you have any partition?

As opposed to what I put up with in FL 2 weeks ago, this would have been a game changer.

I have a sanden compressor and mount and drive kit for a 79 bus with a 2 liter and am going to try to make it work on my 82. If that falls, this is a good fallback solution.
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82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...

[surfinwesty]

No partition, just a standard Westy.

I’ll test the back tomorrow during the peak of the heat wave. My guess is that there is a 5-7 degree difference (warmer in the back). However, you can feel the cool streams moving around, especially with the small DC fans helping to circulate it. The experience in the back is WAY more comfortable.
_________________
Current Love:
"Adobe" 1984 VW Westy w/Subi

Retired:
"Swell Chaser #1" 1980 Westy (in VW Heaven)
"Swell Chaser #2" 1981 Westy (sold to loving family on TheSamba forum)

[steve244]

Watched your video and updated my post.

This is very interesting.
_________________
82 AC vanagon approx 200K miles (3K are mine).
DD is a 2015 Leaf
Road Trip to Hell (FL 2023)
The Vanagon's drivetrain and chassis restomod thread. Best sung to the tune of I Did It My Way...

[jimf909]

[vwwestyman]

This is pretty neat, and I look forward to an install thread link being posted here!
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Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[Abscate]

[MarkWard]

[steve244]

[drj434343]

As a comparison, anyone know or would care to estimate the BTU output of Small Car's dash AC system? I don't think they know themselves, but I've heard similar reports about barely keeping the front occupants comfortable but not much else.

It would be useful to know as it relates to these alternative 12V units.

[shagginwagon83]

As someone with 300aH lifepo4 with 150ah backup, for a weekend trip I have excess battery power. I'd be glad to run 20 amps eco mode for several hours.

I think soon we will see someone drop 900aH lifepo4 DIY right above the 2wd trans. It would cost less than 2k for that big bank. That would mean ~44 hours of eco runtime with this unit.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[MarkWard]

I have the Vintage Air Gen 2 which I think is similar to the small car unit. With reflective clear tint on the windshield and door windows, it keeps the front occupants very comfortable. Will aim center vents down the aisle with a 12 volt fan. Helps keep the dog comfortable. At night or a cloudy day, it will freeze you out.

My interest is a 12 volt Ac I can run at night off a battery bank and recover during the day. Doesn’t seem like we are there yet, but closer every year.
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[shagginwagon83]

[OlisGarage]