1. What type of camping and travel?
Is an A/C unit while driving really needed (where, how long/many hours, etc.)?
When A/C is needed at a location, would it be likely that you'd be staying at a campground with pool (for the kids) and hook-up?
What is the cost of an air conditioner which is off-grid (generator, capacity) versus the cost of campgrounds with hook-ups?
Or are the ideal campgrounds without hook-ups and need air conditioner?
Noise--what type of campgrounds and what type of neighborly noise? AC and generator?
Road handling is worst with a rooftop AC-- The high center of gravity and heavy weight toward rear of Sprinter.
Weight is used up by the air conditioner and generator.
Also note that the 120 volt air conditioners usually have the rooftop opening in the wrong place for the Westy. So either a new hole has to be made between the rooftop speakers or the air conditioner is mounted in the reverse position (see AutoCamp).
There are several Westies now where the owners have removed the Kerstner air conditioners and not replaced. Solar panels can occupy that space. Owners have reported better road handling (less sway from passing trucks).
2. Options
A. 12 volt DC air conditioner like existing Westy set-up but a better one.
Issues: Does the 200 amp Bosch alternator have the duty cycle to operate the air conditioner and for how long? Are Westy alternators wearing out faster because of AC and battery recharging than regular Sprinters with lower-amp alternators? Note that OneManVan found a terminal or bolt on the alternator became really hot when running the Kerstner air conditioner. Issues with harmonic balancer pulleys on Sprinters with factory rear air conditioners--additional wear and tear from alternator and second auxillary belt? Also, how easy to service and get parts for that special 12 volt air conditioner (look at how hard it was just to get a replacement belt for the Kerstner air conditioner).
Also, have to check what the maximum loads are (anecdotal evidence that when coach batteries are discharged and front Sprinter air conditioner running, Sprinter alternator had problems getting Kerstner air conditioner going).
B. 120 volt air conditioner. Common in USA. Parts and service may be easier to obtain (although some internet folks say that RV rooftop air conditioners are just throw-away items now and not really serviceable).
C. Inverter for Running on the Road
Can use an inverter for a 120 volt AC to run off Sprinter alternator, but same issues as a 12 volt air conditioner--alternator and harmonic balancer wear and tear.
D. Generator
Can also run a 120 volt AC and a 12 volt AC (using converter(s) like existing Kerstner AC) off a generator.
Issues are whether willing to run risks of having an open propane valve to run generator when driving and propane capacity (how many hours)?
E. Alternative Generator
AutoCamp replaced his Kerstner air conditioner with a 120 volt air conditioner. He also replaced his noisy Onan generator with a Honda gas generator (quiet) and mounted the Honda on the rear door (he put spare tire back where Onan generator was). He had to test that the Honda generator could run the rooftop 120 volt air conditioner.
F. Portable Air Conditioners
These don't work as well, occupy space inside the Westy, etc., but might be an option for campground hook-up use.
G. Split Air Conditioners
There is discussion in the Conversion subforums about using split air conditioners to reduce the weight on the rooftop. The compressor and condenser might be mounted on the rear doors or under the van (spare tire area, but road debris).
H. Fans
Bathroom fan (Fantastic Vent or MaxxAir)--often effective in more moderate climates. Various versions can be left open while driving.
3. General Background Information
A. Two Different Kerstner Air Conditioners.
When the the first Westies were imported into the USA, the Kerstner air conditioner was even lower profile. The original Kerstner air conditioner has a blue swoop running along the side of the air conditioner cover.
Apparently, owners complained that the Kerstner air conditioner was insufficient and Airstream/Westfalia went around replacing the original Kerster air conditioner with a higher output Kerstner air conditioner (no blue swoops on the side). The Meanwell converters had to be adjusted for higher voltage. Heavier cables/wires (120 volt) was run from the breaker box (and the circuit breaker was changed/upgraded to higher amps?).
There is apparently at least one Westy where the original owner chose not to replace their Kerstner air conditioner with the higher output air conditioners.
Unfortunately, don't know or remember the BTU outputs of those two air conditioners.
B. Original Controls. Which original controls seem desirable? The Kissling relay switch for 12 volt/120 volt has been problematic (See OneManVan's assessment--perhaps mounted in wrong vertical position). The on/off switch looks like a relic from the 50s. There are the Meanwell converters (2 of them).
Look forward to seeing what you find and do.
Otherwise looks like a great unit!
