Make A/C more effective
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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Make A/C more effective
I thought of an idea to make the A/C more effective. I have an E250 cargo. There is a cage behind the front seats. The bottom of the cage is solid, but the top is semi-open. It is not sealed on the right or left side.
Clearly, the factory A/C system was not meant to cool the entire van. It was designed for the front only. What if I was to wrap some type of clear vinyl around the cage and seal it better....isolate the back zone from the front? The cargo area does not need to be cooled. I assume this would be a cheap solution to get the front cooler. I'm in FL and the outside air 90-100° plus during the day.
Clearly, the factory A/C system was not meant to cool the entire van. It was designed for the front only. What if I was to wrap some type of clear vinyl around the cage and seal it better....isolate the back zone from the front? The cargo area does not need to be cooled. I assume this would be a cheap solution to get the front cooler. I'm in FL and the outside air 90-100° plus during the day.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I've done this myself both for the A/C and heat when none is needed in the rear cargo area. I makes a world of difference and truthfully whatever partition or divider you add doesn't need to be thermally efficient---a suitable sized moving pad stretched across the width is quite noticeable.
I have access to and used an 18 wheeler sleeper cab privacy curtain complete with a solid siding system at the top allowing access to the rear if ever needed. Had it trimmed to fit the height, added male/female snaps keeping it somewhat tight to the sides but its not sealed off at all, can still be fully opened too.
Ive seen ready made divider curtains from upfitters like Knaack, Weather Guard, American Van too---never did check prices but they're made of heavy vinyl and no doubt have substantial mounting hardware.
It doesn't take much---most anything works---you'll enjoy the effect!
I have access to and used an 18 wheeler sleeper cab privacy curtain complete with a solid siding system at the top allowing access to the rear if ever needed. Had it trimmed to fit the height, added male/female snaps keeping it somewhat tight to the sides but its not sealed off at all, can still be fully opened too.
Ive seen ready made divider curtains from upfitters like Knaack, Weather Guard, American Van too---never did check prices but they're made of heavy vinyl and no doubt have substantial mounting hardware.
It doesn't take much---most anything works---you'll enjoy the effect!
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 635
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From: infraction
it's a cargo van, why would you need to see in the back?
Either way... use the foam board for places that you don't need to see through and then use clear plastic or lexan for a window.
insulation is not rocket science...
Either way... use the foam board for places that you don't need to see through and then use clear plastic or lexan for a window.
insulation is not rocket science...
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New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 12
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From: midway, ar
plexiglass cut to fit....................you can see and it will keep the air to the front.
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.just drill holes and place small bolts with washers on it in all the corners and your done!
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.just drill holes and place small bolts with washers on it in all the corners and your done!
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Plexi-glass is acrylic and breaks easy so if you use it, drill the bolt holes a little larger for expansion & contraction.
The best is Polycarbonate or GE's name is Lexan but GS sold their plastics division many years ago....still drill the holes a little bit larger...
The best is Polycarbonate or GE's name is Lexan but GS sold their plastics division many years ago....still drill the holes a little bit larger...
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
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I wanted to report that I completed this project. I found a roll of plastic home window insulation at wal-mart on clearance for $2.50. I used $1 worth of double sided tape and for $3.50 I covered all of the openings in the cage, while still allowing rear visibility, and the cage door can still be opened. It is not 100% sealed, but is close. It actually looks good from the front.
What a difference it makes! The A/C cools the front very quickly on low fan, even without tint. When I add tint next week, the results should be amazing.
What a difference it makes! The A/C cools the front very quickly on low fan, even without tint. When I add tint next week, the results should be amazing.
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