Willie

Nice work, Bobs!! I hadn't previously realized that you intended to recharge via the socket, but it looks as though you are going to be okay with that.

Y

Yeah, I guess the dry run test is the best approach. I can certainly do the Ohm's law calculation. (Tube electronics was a one time hobby.) The missing data piece for me is just how low the battery can be to still start the car. I understand that the answer to that depends on temperature and other factors, but nobody has been able to give me even a ballpark figure to work with. So that leaves experimentation, as you advise. As to the twelve volt outlet overheating, I would not be overly concerned. It sure doesn't take a very fat wire to supply a couple amp fan, and I would be amazed if it overheated on that tiny load. My thinking on the capacitor gizmo is that even if I were to kill the battery, I could start the car with it. I'd use it as a back-up. Another possibility is to simply use the gizmo to power the fan. Please post any conclusions you reach and I will do the same.

Thanks for the answer, Bobs. I've been thinking along the very same lines. It would not take much of a fan to move a bit of air through there, but I am reluctant to operate even a tiny one overnight. I have asked some "experts" about how many amps could be safely drawn over eight hours or so and still be able to start the car. So far, I have received no real reasoned answers. I don't want to resort to any auxiliary battery set-up just for that, but I might buy one of those capacitor dealies (whatever they are called) used to start a car with a dead battery. They are not terribly expensive and and might be a good thing to own anyhow. Another possibility might be to install a very small fan directly in the unused backdoor light hole you mentioned.

Did you ever figure out any good way to ventilate the interior while camping? That seems to me to be the biggest obstacle.

I noticed a good many leaves blowing into the lowest opening (the one without the grill bars). I stuck a piece of window screen in there and now they seem not to get stuck anymore but just blow away. This didn't cause any water to leak in under the hood though.

I'm glad you got it worked out. I'm a 44 extra long so maybe that's why I can reach with no trouble. Whatever works! (You ought to try getting under a Miata! Now that is a challenge!)

Its no dragster, but then that's why it turns in lots of MPG. By the way, gas mileage is much better if you keep your foot off of the floor. If you need to accelerate hard very often, maybe you really should consider something else. I think it is pretty comfortable for a delivery van, but it's certainly not a luxury car. It is what it is, I guess

I wonder why some owners are experiencing such rapid wear while others (including me) find it to be quite normal. It may be that it was a bad batch of pads with poor friction materials. That has happened before.

I just reach under the front bumper, without raising the car. I don't even have to put my head underneath. Really there is quite a lot of room to work. What sort of problem are you having?

There were some offered on E-bay. I previously posted the URL on this forum but have now lost it.

True, the rear vision is not great. It is a lot better with one of the the headrests removed from the back seat. I drove mine that way for awhile, but once I got used to it I actually preferred to have the reduced rear view because following cars headlights are far less annoying. (Many people around my home seem to drive with high beams at all times, plus auxiliary driving lights, and follow so closely that even the dim switch on the mirror is inadequate.)

Stick around awhile. You will certainly find something to complain about here!! Seriously, I agree 100 percent. (Except that I ride Triumph.)

Well, most automatics do have coolers of a sort. That is to say a tube carries transmission fluid through the radiator. But that is probably not the sort of supplemental cooler you meant. If anyone sells an add-on cooler for this particular van, I am not aware of it. Of course, I haven't been looking for one either.

I agree. The view of the scenery is like a tour bus. On the other hand though, the sun can get a bit intense. I carry one of those hat-like sun visors to wear on my head when it gets to me. Looks a bit "seventies", but who cares!

Now that's what I call good thinking. I bet mosquito net would work well. How do you secure the bottom edge?

No answer, but I've camped in my TC and ventilation is a problem. No not the smell, I can live with myself, but condensation. I have found these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Transit-Connect-Camper-van-RV-Windows-Screens-2pc-/280565166825?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4152fcb2e9r If you find another solution please post it up. .

I don't have either problem, but others have complained of both.

I never owned one, but those old Capris were great cars, especially the V-6. I've read that they were intended as the Euro-Mustang.

Its not nearly as difficult as it at first appears. It had me a bit buffaloed before I tried it, but it was not actually a big deal. (I do agree however that it is unnecessary overkill for anyone with a simple tire gauge.)

I have the cheap, non-electric seat. It has lots of adjustment in several directions, including tilt of the back. On a long trip I like to move it around to afford a bit of a change. I can't speak to the adjust-ability of the electric seat. Incidentally, the steering wheel also adjusts both in and out and up and down.

I am six foot three and find the driver's position to be quite roomy. Head room is not going to be an issue even for NBA players. There is also plenty of elbow room, and pretty good leg room. (There is a left footrest on the floor which is designed for smaller people and gets in my way a little. Its not all that bad,since there is no clutch pedal, but it would be better without it.) The seating is upright, which I like, but I know others would prefer to lie out at a flatter, more car-like, angle. Thats an individual thing. There is also a nifty lumbar gizmo on the driver's seat which I find very comfortable on long drives. The armrest on the door is hard plastic and needs a little padding in my opinion. Can't speak to off road capabilities, but there looks to be lots of ground clearance.

I would bet that it would fit easily behind the front seat. I think even my Triumph Bonneville will fit in there, though I haven't tried it yet. Not sure about the back seat, but even that does fold forward and also comes out pretty easily. Obviously, the only way to know for sure is to go and measure one at the dealer, and compare to your particular bike.

We understand Van-man, but remember this is America where MORE is always BETTER! I'm joking, I'm joking!!

I hadn't noticed the diversion thing but I don't generally use the highest speeds due to the noise. I find the heat to be okay for such a large space, but my heater fan gets pretty loud on anything beyond the lowest setting.