Looking for tips on in car AC

[oleg8888]

This year we purchased a conversion van based on 2005 E250 Ford.
What I realized that ventilation in this car does not have re-circulation mode.
Basically you always running outside air thru the AC.
There are few issues with that.
Dust #1
Hot air harder to cool #2.

I am looking for tips on how to solve this.
Ideally would be best to find a hidden recirculation mode.
The other solution would be finding an air intake and place some filters there.

Any suggestions highly appreciated.

P.S. this is my 9th trip to the playa and somehow it never came up. Maybe the cars I rented always had that mode

[trilobyte]

I'd recommend planning on shutting the AC down by the time you pass Gerlach. Don't use the air system again until you pass Gerlach (and get back up to speed again) as you leave Gerlach going back home.

[oleg8888]

I'd recommend planning on shutting the AC down by the time you pass Gerlach. Don't use the air system again until you pass Gerlach (and get back up to speed again) as you leave Gerlach going back home.

Thanks, but it's not what I am looking for.
We'll be sleeping in the van and need AC.

[CornMan]

I'd just buy a cheap window mount AC and jerry rig it in a window of the van and plug it in a generator.

[MarquisDeSade]

I thought it was cold on the playa at night!
We sleep out here (Qatar) with no A/C and it's 30c plus all night long!
The tip is, no top sheet and no pyjamas.

[Bob]

An awning arrangement over the thing and skirting w/ tarps and/or plywood should help w/ dust and reduce the temp about ten degrees, though not of the intake air. RTFM. Ask an RV forum. Ask an RV mechanic. Ask him while you're there getting a tuneup, filter & fluid change. Don't choke your neighbors with CO gas. Don't camp anywhere near me in any case. Hope this helps.

[remi]

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... a+pvc+pump

I remember seeing this thread about a little home made A/C unit you can use in that will keep your van super chill, without using your built in A/C. All you need is a little power.

Check it out, and let all your problems be solved.


(MarquisDeSade, lots of people sleep during the day at BM, and it is not that chilly out in the afternoon in a van.)

[trilobyte]

Like Bob mentioned, get some shade over a chunk of the van. In fact, if you can get some shade on it you won't need to use the AC at all. We camp in the back of our cargo van and have no trouble with it getting hot during the day - but we've got a structure up on the roof and a wooden facade/front leaning against one side

[Elliot]

Ideally would be best to find a hidden recirculation mode.

I'm surprised an automotive A/C system would lack recirc mode. It may be there, but not labeled as such. Perhaps in a setting called something like "max defrost". Defrosting/defogging the windshield is generally the default function when heat-A/C controls go awry -- a traffic safety issue, as opposed to a comfort issue. If the controls can not give you recirc A/C, you may be able to "hack" something to achieve it. If the recirc door is vacuum operated, it would probably go to recirc if you disconnect the hose (and don't forget to plug it).
Mind you, this is decades-old basic automotive knowledge. I have trouble finding the door handle on any 2005 car.

[ygmir]

Ideally would be best to find a hidden recirculation mode.

I'm surprised an automotive A/C system would lack recirc mode. It may be there, but not labeled as such. Perhaps in a setting called something like "max defrost". Defrosting/defogging the windshield is generally the default function when heat-A/C controls go awry -- a traffic safety issue, as opposed to a comfort issue. If the controls can not give you recirc A/C, you may be able to "hack" something to achieve it. If the recirc door is vacuum operated, it would probably go to recirc if you disconnect the hose (and don't forget to plug it).
Mind you, this is decades-old basic automotive knowledge. I have trouble finding the door handle on any 2005 car.

yeah usually "max A/C" is recirc.

but a question?
Do I read you are planning on idling your van all night/day while you sleep?
Not that I'd tell you what to do, but, maybe make really sure you know where the exhaust is going.

Figjam has a beautiful, 12V cooler design, you might want to search that thread.

[FIGJAM]

I'm also suprised to hear of a vehicle that does'nt recirculate the ac.

If that is somehow true, then blocking the intake for the air could ruin your ac.

If you can shade the van the bucket swamp cooler will keep the van comfy, but it is NOT AC.

You can run it from the cigarette lighter in the van if you idle the van for an hour every other day.

If you're interested, the thread is called "Cooling your tent or van".

[Canoe]

...
Do I read you are planning on idling your van all night/day while you sleep?
Not that I'd tell you what to do, but, maybe make really sure you know where the exhaust is going.
Figjam has a beautiful, 12V cooler design, you might want to search that thread.

Take a good look at this. For a surprisingly low cost and easy to construct, you get:

• Comfortable temperatures (with a bonus of some humidity for breathing),
• way less power/fuel, and noise at a sleeping level (for you and your neighbors),
• no carbon monoxide or smell (for you and your neighbors),
• minimizes the time your van's engine will be running on-playa with the playa dust sucked into it.

Splurge on the separate deep-cycle battery for this chiller; keep it separate from the van's setup. Especially if the van conversion doesn't already have the engine's battery isolated from a van/camping deep-cycle battery. If the van setup already has a deep-cycle battery, then this one for the chiller can be a spare for off-playa use.

You can make it easy to mount, then once you get in line on-playa, mount it and start chilling. When you're stopped in a pulsed queue, you can still get chilled air while the van engine is off (without tasking the van's battery against an engine restart, although the pump & fan is very low current draw).

It's a long thread. A re-post summary starts on this page
two versions:
- in a bucket
- larger box (fan has more flow, quieter too)
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... start=1170

[FIGJAM]

HA!

I was going to refer the OP to page 40!

[some seeing eye]

To the OP. I have camped in a vehicle. If you follow the space blanket strategy of covering all windows you gain coolness. A white or silver vehicle will reject heat gain, but as others have mentioned, shading out your vehicle will keep it cooler yet. From experience a light covered vehicle with all windows blocked is good to noon. Nights are cool to cold. Best at figuring your heater box.

[dragonpilot]

You won't need AC at night...it's plenty chilly...actually quite good sleeping temp, IMO. Daytime is another story...

If you're running your van's engine for the AC during the day, I'd recommend slipping a 10' flexible clothes dryer hose over the exhaust pipe to vent the CO well away from you...make sure to run it into someone else's camp. They'll prolly be awake anyway, so it won't bother them...

[BBadger]

Daytime isn't bad either--if you have shade. That's the glory of a place with little humidity. The very first thing I'd work on is getting a shade covering for whatever you're going to be sleeping in, van or tent, or whatever. Then if you really need AC, get some AC.

[Foxfur]

Paint your van with chrometone spray paint. Not only does it reflect heat and gamma radiation from the all too common airburst nuclear weapon detonations, it also stops government mind control satellites and discourages vehicles behind you from using headlights at night.
As a side benefit it severely fucks with the laser sighted RPG's that the Pashtun taco vendors use on burners when driving through Empire.

[theCryptofishist]

But all those heavy metals really mess up gas milage.

[Foxfur]

Yep. And with names like Megadeth and Slayer they're probably not too healthy.

[theCryptofishist]

Could have fooled me with that magnificent hair...

[Foxfur]

Spikes. They're not just for Jesus...

Are we getting off topic yet?

More wine!

[daft]

you will not need the a/c at night, your van conversion will be cool then, no problem. I use the the a/c when parked when microwaving and maybe then eating whatever it is. I find the sound of generators a source of annoyance to me and everyone around it, unless you invite them all in as well, besides the whole trying to beat back the elements seems like a useless exercise in being a user.

[Father_Burn]

The MAX setting on your van is recirc, but don't plan on using it to keep yourself cool... Do put your van in max mode just before you shut it down to keep dust from coming in the vents. Build a shade structure over your van, and on the East side of it, and you can sleep till noon. BTW, If you ignore everyone's warnings and do it anyway, you'll run out of gas getting back to the default world.

[oleg8888]

Built the shade structure already.
Found out about the MAX settings just yesterday by calling Ford service department.

[Elliot]

Found out about the MAX settings just yesterday by calling Ford service department.

Well, I'm in a foul mood today, so my response to this astonishing revelation is as follows:

Svarte Fanden danse på tå hev! I told you that a month ago! I wrote:

I'm surprised an automotive A/C system would lack recirc mode. It may be there, but not labeled as such. Perhaps in a setting called something like "max defrost".

Didn't that make you even the least bit curious about anything labled "max" on your A/C control panel?

Do you think I sit here typing just to enjoy watching my fingertips dance on the computer keyboard? I have to use an oversize keyboard designed for arthritic hands just to type at all!
That's effing it. I'm done trying to contribute on this board. Too many imbeciles.

There. I feel better now.

[theCryptofishist]

I'm off to start a "Svarte Fanden danse på tå hev!" thread.

[oleg8888]

I'm surprised an automotive A/C system would lack recirc mode. It may be there, but not labeled as such. Perhaps in a setting called something like "max defrost".

.

Oh yes, Elliot, I found it right away. There was a max defrost.. on my effing microwave.
Thank you so much for your help, this was invaluable to the forum.
I was also wondering, if your fingers not too tired dancing, should I bring water?
Also, is there a place @BM I can buy hotdogs?
How about sunblock, is UV level any high?

P.S. Could someone point me to the right web site where I can buy direct flight tickets to BRC, b/c BRC international is nowhere to be found.
Thank you very much for your contribution.
signed: Imbecile

[gyre]

See: Ford Owner's Manual.