Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2020 01:26:55 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Campground AC
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk0_0eU7fWg8-9_6QyO6d46QUeyGawYpFrw5Xe4wcmXOwQ@mail.gmail.com>
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By definition, it seems your setup is only for Campgrounds with 120 VAC. I'm good with that. As luck would have it, most of the campgrounds with 120 VAC are also the ones with hot humid nights, mosquitoes, and all the rest. And most of these said campgrounds are east of the Mississippi....and I am also good with that (I love those campgrounds and I'm from San Diego).
For fun about 10 years ago, Target had 5000 BTU window air conditioners on sale; I think it was $65. Couldn't resist. There are several setups that put these in Westy luggage rack, or sometimes hang then off the front windows. So....I made my own rig. Piece of 3/8" plywood as a starting point. Rectangular hole for Air Conditioner....and then a means to quickly install and remove. Appropriate foam weatherstrip for bug proof. Needs to fit both Driver and Passenger side. Yes...installs and hangs off front windows. I have used this now for 10 years, on several summer cross country trips, and it works perfectly every time. Like a motel....only better. I can set up in 4 minutes, take down in 3 minutes (some clever swivel mounts). I store the AC in a custom plywood box behind passenger seat; this box has a big hole cut into it on top with removable piece; also doubles (with a Costco kitchen trash bag) as an excellent Porti Potty (right..need to move AC prior to use if during daytime roadtrip travel, not a big deal). Ice chest sits on top of the plywood box (mine is a Tintop) so no loss of Vanagon floor space.
Yeah. I don't travel East without it...no way. Game changer.
Rich
On Thursday, August 20, 2020, 5:32:23 PM PDT, Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
A few years ago I bought a portable LG air conditioning unit for my
daughter and her husband to use until they got a new household system. I
always had in the back of my mind that when I got it back I would adapt it
to the westy. I recently got the unit back from them. I have been looking
around the local hardware stores for ideas as to how to adapt various hoses
to use as an exhaust. I kept simplifying the plan until it finally occurred
to me that I could probably use the original hose and adapters that came
with it. Today I did just that, clamping the exhaust in the passenger
window and locating the unit behind the passenger seat. Very neat and
clean, no mods necessary to the van. It kept the camper very cool in direct
sun--it should, it's 8000 BTU. No good for driving down the road, and of
little interest to me personally when I am traveling alone, but when family
is with me I think it will be a very popular item.
There is about 15 minutes of work to get the window exhaust adapter to fit
exactly in the window opening, but that's it.
Jim
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