For those of you installing or contemplating installing a "bilge blower" under the rear seat of your VDub to increase heater output, here's a trick way to turn the blower on/off...............
(http://sjvwc.net/coppermine/albums/userpics/Under_Seat_Heater_Switch.jpg)
Rather then adding a separate on/off switch, mount a toggle switch under the rear seat that is controlled by the movement of the heat distribution lever. (Its the left one between the seats.) When the lever is pulled up, the toggle switch powers the blower(s), when the lever is pushed down, the power is switched off.
(http://sjvwc.net/coppermine/albums/userpics/Toggle_Connected_to_Cable.jpg)
Use a basic on/off toggle switch with a metal lever, drill a hole in the lever so the stock cable can run through. Mount a single terminal cut from a plastic "European-Style" terminal strip on either side of the lever. When the cable moves, they hit the lever to turn the switch on or off.
Brackets are made from "shop scraps" as needed.
You can run the power wire to the fuse block to provide switched power when the key is on. To keep wiring to a minimum, you can connect to positive battery power available under the seat. You'll need to remember to turn the blower off when you shut off the car.
Glad to provide further details if needed.
Nice job gifsawsall weldface (http://www.emofaces.nl/nl/emoticons/b/blowing-emoticon.gif)
Real nice Doc, I added it to our Technical Articles.
Don,
Great idea!
Leave it to a "kit car" guy to figure out a cool fabrication like that!
and they say our cars are just a beetle with another body! yea right!
That is a neat idea, but I was wondering if you are coming off the heat distribution lever, pushing the lever down moves the air to the front of the car (feetwells and defroster), sealing off the back flaps, wouldnt you be turning off the blower in this position?
or I'm missing something 888
Matt
Matt;
In my case, the rear foot well vents were removed and the cables were not controlling anything. The hot air always goes to the front foot wells and defroster.
In answer to your question.........
I believe you could place one of terminal clamps on the cable so it hits the switch when the heat distribution lever is all the way up. At that point, the rear footwell vents would be fully open and the blower would be "on."
As you push the lever down to direct the heat toward the front, the cable would slide through the hole in the switch lever and the blower would remain "on".
The other terminal clamp could be placed so it doesn't hit the switch "off" until the heat distribution lever is all the way down. As long as you keep the lever a little bit lifted, the blower would stay "on" and most of the heat would be directed to the front.
Should work.........
Don