Club 80-90 Forums

Is it feasible/legal/practical to build your own air conditioning system for use in a type25? Just wondered if anyone has done so or has an opinion on it

Personaly speaking here I think Air con would turn an already thirsty van into an extremely thirsty van not to mention the loss of more power.

Have a look at the small fridge units that fit on small vans, they wont sap the power

there was a VW option air con, on high specced carats etc. I'd say your best bet would be to try and source one of these. I have heard that the refrigerent is no longer allowed to be used so a new type of refrigerent is needed which means the seals need to be replaced.

i was considering same thing on my van

don't see why not

poss use an electric motor to spin the compressor so would not drain the engine of power

original vans have a separate vent system built into the roof

i think webasto do an aftermarket universal kit

you dont get something for nothing, electric compressor will make alternator work harder which means less mpg overall.

ive got air con on a scrapper here but theirs a lot more to it than you think,cj.

belt-driven compressors come up on ebay fairly regular. presumably with suitable brackets once could be fitted in engine bay.

I've got DIY A/C, i drive along with the window open

sychrospares how much would ac system be plus the ducting pipe work and electrics please

covkid i have spare double pulley that can run the aditional v belt to drive the ac compressor if you need it £5 B'ham

Have a look here: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/acheat.htm

Not cheap though and I know nothng about it other than it was in the website I found whilst looking for some other bits I needed.

Mike.

Saw this old topic, and rather that start a new one I thought I'd chip my bit in here...

I saw a small sealed unit A/C device for cars, campers etc; needs a 1Kw inverter to run it which the 90 Ah alternator would do (no juice left for anything else though)... £1200 all in, no engine modifications required, just some extra wiring and ventalation. Apart from the cost(!), any thoughts?

CovKid wrote:Is it feasible/legal/practical to build your own air conditioning system for use in a type25? Just wondered if anyone has done so or has an opinion on it

Like the pepe's say you don't get nothing for nothing....
I find that even with the water valve working correctly the air coming out of the vents aint exactly cool as ambient. Having the windows open buggers your quiff and blots out the Everly Brothers. If I really got pee'd of with it I would consider some way of blasting outside air into your fizog without it geting warmed up on its way in as I suspect it does at present. My best idea yet is a big powerfull blower (sucker) in the roof vent which can be swithed on as and when. I haven't found a path in though which doesn't involve cuting metal.
Cheers
Ken

I like the blue peterness of this approach.

---Cheap-and-easy!

The clever ppl on the site have included a "!" in the link so I can't link it.

K

Many US vanagons have air-conditioning.. we are always hearing of not working, requiring servicing or needing the replacement refrigerant... none of which seems cheap!

wind down the windows we haven't had a summer warm enough to warrant air-con this year