Winter Morning Aircooled Blues

Post by **gilbo** » 23 Dec 2006, 07:43

Well, I'm starting to become blind to the virtues of the Westy now that the freezing cold weather is here.

I have had to start using the camper for work seeing as it is too dangerous up here in Leeds to go out on the motorbike 'cos of the ice.

Unfortunately, I have to go through the ritual every morning at 5am of starting the van up (then trying to keep it going) and clearing the inside of the windscreen of water with a bundle of service roll - MOST annoying given that it's usually iced up too. I have double glazed windows in the rear which seem pointless and the LPG heater is not functioning atm otherwise I'd just switch that on for 15 mins before I drive off (lack of blowers and proper dash heating are a nightmare)

Does anyone know of a dehumidifier that works? Preferably one that needs no power? I always remember my dad having a condensation device in the 80's when we used to go caravanning as kids - it was basically a small tub filled with silica gel and I don't think it ever worked. I can handle having to wipe the mist off the interior of the front windows while I'm driving, but any help in getting rid of the water droplets/ice before I actually get in the van would be appreciated.

By the way - I am fully expecting there to be no cure! I forgot how much of a pain lack of blowers is in Aircooled vehicles! I have got the van booked in to a specialist in Leeds in Jan for some work on the carbs and I will ask for the door seals and window seals to be replaced - maybe that will help

Post by **DiscoDave** » 23 Dec 2006, 12:27

which specialist on leeds? not a lot i can sugest to slove the ice on the inside! maybe try dring it out with an electric heater or summat!

Post by **T'Onion** » 23 Dec 2006, 12:52

Fill a 2 litre pop bottle up with very hot water and pop that on the dash ,that will help demist your windscreen

Post by **gilbo** » 23 Dec 2006, 16:32

IVC is the name of the company/garage we are taking the van to - (Independent VW Centre) they are in Hunslet - not too far from where I work, which is Cross Green

Thanks for the pop bottle idea - that's fantastic - in fact the van is in a good state right this second for me to try that out right now! Will let you know m8

Post by **Tex Ritter** » 01 Jan 2007, 13:00

The other half's 12volt hair dryer works a treat on our 2ltr A/C screen if you let it get hot enough.

Or, could you not put a fan heater in from the house 10 mins before you start up? we use a tubular type electric greenhouse heater, that blasts out a jet of very hot air, works very well, and warms up the whole interior in minutes.

Tex R

Post by **airhead** » 02 Jan 2007, 02:21

The vans heaters shouldnt be that bad! Get them checked out too. A properly functional heater in an Aircooled bus should be pretty good. If you want a blower, get a marine bilge blower fan and put it in the pipe from the engine bay to the front and a switch on the dash for it. That will suck the warm air from your heat exchangers and blow it where you want it.