How do I build defroster vents?

belfert · June 13, 2010, 08:17:19 PM

Quote from: Dreamscape on June 13, 2010, 07:58:38 PM
Why don't you just take the two hoses and run them to their individual defroster vent, more air would be moved I would think. Have the dash vents moveable/directional.

I'm trying to figure out how to design something that does the conversion from 4" round hose to a vent. I should probably stop by an RV dealer and see what they carry. I do need to minimize the space used.

I actually have four 4" round vents from the defroster. I just didn't show the other two in the photo. I want to make sure the whole windshield is covered by air. Many of today's new cars only have a single defrost vent in the center and that just doesn't work well as the corners never defrost.

Dreamscape · June 14, 2010, 03:46:25 AM

I've seen the round defroster vents on eBay and I think Ronthebusnust.com had them. I've also seen some plastic defrosters from older Fords that are oblong with the round inlet.

I need to get some too, to finish my project, along with some hose!

You also could get some thin galv sheet from Lowes, Menards or Home Depot. Cut to fit your design with the 4" round on the bottom and pop rivet/solder the seams.

eagle rush · June 14, 2010, 08:15:46 AM

Hi Belfert, You could heat up one end of 4" abs pipe and bend it to what ever size or shape you want, 4" round to 1" oval, just don't heat the one end it will stay 4", when you are done with your shape heat the end and make a tab or flange just by pressing it down. Now if you don't have the room for a 4" pipe use 2" do the same thing and use a rubber bell reducer2 x 4 to fit. easy and quick, just a nother way, hope this helps, Richard

luvrbus · June 14, 2010, 08:26:54 AM

The box stores have adapters for the shop vac that work for a reducer,and forced air furnaces in RV's make good vents also and they are 4 inch

good luck

belfert · June 14, 2010, 08:30:08 AM

I'll have to try the 4" ABS thing. It is cheap enough to get a chunk of 4" ABS pipe.

luvrbus · June 14, 2010, 08:53:57 AM

Why bother with making a 4x2 you can buy the reducer at a plumbing supply for less than 3 bucks and a stick of non foam center ABS pipe is not cheap

good luck

Dreamscape · June 14, 2010, 09:17:55 AM

Clifford, Great idea! At least for me anyway!

I'm going to give you a call.

RickB · June 14, 2010, 11:46:05 AM

Brian,

What about taking a suction end from a wet/dry vac and seeing if it would fit over those holes it's a rectangle and being made from plastic it is durable and easily modified. For clarification, I'm talking about the end that you use to vacuum up dust or dirt on a floor. usually a 2" hole for the hose and then a rectangular shaped end that contacts the floor.

Just a thought

RB

RickB · June 14, 2010, 11:50:23 AM

Brian

I do have some of the round plastic vents that are directional and are pretty functional. You can have 4 of them, they are 4" around

Call me if you want them

RB

belfert · June 14, 2010, 07:09:53 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on June 14, 2010, 08:53:57 AM
Why bother with making a 4x2 you can buy the reducer at a plumbing supply for less than 3 bucks and a stick of non foam center ABS pipe is not cheap

I forgot that hardware store ABS is foam core. It isn't the adapters I need. I am looking for something that converts from 2" or 4" to an oblong slot to blow on the window. I might end up going with round vents, but I am wondering if they will defrost as well.

I will probably go to a local truck salvage place this week or next and see what they have.

eddiepotts · June 14, 2010, 07:48:16 PM

What about taking a 2" PVC and cut it in half. Use heat to shape it first. then use some tinted plexi glass with angled holes drilled in it where it blows towards your winshield. You could follow this up the A-pillers and even across the top blowing down. Or use your circular saw to cut a few 1/2" wide slots 4" long with a stainless mesh attached on the inside. Don't forget the LED lights in it for when your parked.

Depewtee · June 14, 2010, 08:16:29 PM

Brian,

Do a search on eBay for "defroster vents." When I did it there were 199 items. Within the first five I found these.

Brian S.

belfert · June 15, 2010, 05:09:03 AM

I was laying in bed last night and I think I came up with a great way to build my defrost vents.

I am building the new dash out of oak. My plan is to take two fairly wide boards and place them side by side. I will then cut some triangle shaped pieces out of 1" thick boards and place them between my wide boards every place I want a vent. On the back side of the setup I will cut a hole to attach the flexible hose coming from the defroster. This is probably hard to visualize. I might need to do a Google Sketchup or something.

I believe this will work, but I need to check clearances and such out in the bus. I don't think it will look strange because there was already a row of vents at the same location before. It should look like part of the dash when done.

Len Silva · June 15, 2010, 05:24:08 AM

Brian,

If you are talking about actually constructing the outlet out of oak, think about the effects of high temperature on the wood. I don't know if it would be a problem or not.

belfert · June 15, 2010, 06:02:05 AM

Quote from: Len Silva on June 15, 2010, 05:24:08 AM
Brian,

If you are talking about actually constructing the outlet out of oak, think about the effects of high temperature on the wood. I don't know if it would be a problem or not.

I don't think the defroster would get enough use to worry about it. I might put some epoxy or even some epoxy and fiberglass cloth on the inside of the vent.