Anyone installed a BA6 gas heater setup into a late bay?

[Bleyseng]

I picked up all the parts and pieces (there's a lot of em) to install a BA6 gas heater into my Westy for camping heat and just instant heat when its cold in Seattle.

I am looking for a thread of tips and pitfalls of doing this or if not I'll post it as I install it. Getting all the little custom OEM parts happened because Ken@thebusco pulled them for me over the last year. Had it already to go when I got back to Seattle so its install time.

[dtrumbo]

Ooooh! I wanna watch. I have one in my Riviera and it sorta works. I'd love to learn more about how they actually work so I can troubleshoot mine and above all, make sure it's operating properly and safely.

[luftvagon]

I wanted to make my own controller for BA6.. but it may be worth just upgrading to a newer system with a better controller ;)

[airkooledchris]

I have every bit and piece also (minus the cabin air recirculation vent) waiting to put into my own also, but the last few times I laid it all out I just couldn't figure out the wiring. Please document everything if you do this. =) my popcorn bucket also awaits

[Bleyseng]

Ok, here is a pic of the pileOparts of the gas heater.

[Bleyseng]

Here is a pic of the BA6 basically laid out in order except the wiring. It fit in place of the heating tube underneath the bus. (top view). There is also a huge metal belly pan that protects the heater not shown here as is the electrical wiring that fit under the dash.

[Amskeptic]

minus the cabin air recirculation vent

That does not sound factory. Please confirm.
Colin

[Westy78]

minus the cabin air recirculation vent

That does not sound factory. Please confirm.
Colin

It's part of the BA6 system. Sits under the rear bench seat in a Westy if it's what I'm thinking of. I'd take a picture of it if it wasn't buried under copious amounts of camping equipment.

[airkooledchris]

That's the one. You have to cut it out of the body on the donor vehicle, if pulling it from a bay.

Some have stated that the BA6 could run too hot if you force it to heat cold air all the time, though if you only run it while driving - and the stock heat from the heater boxes is running through it, you'd think it would be ok without the cabin air (which would be colder than the air coming from the heater boxes.)

[Bleyseng]

The fresh air vent in the picture is the green thing leaning against the roll of insulation. The other thing to make sure you have is the temp switch which goes in the heat diverter valve on the left side. You can barely see it at the bottom of the picture. That piece I have is cut out of a donor and I'll have to weld it into my valve.
The rest of the heater just bolts in but yes, there is a bunch of wiring to sort out.

[dtrumbo]

Geoff, if it helps, I'd be happy to have you over or I could swing by your place with my complete, pretty-sure-factory-installed BA6 for you to put eyes on. Obviously I'd benefit as well seeing what would effectively be the "before" picture since I own, but don't completely understand, the "after" picture.

[Bleyseng]

What I am dying to see is how the dash wiring setup is too! That is my biggest question area so yes, let's get together.

[dtrumbo]

I can drive the bus to work on any given day and then meet up with you in the early evening (I get off work about 3:45pm) PM me with what works for you.

[IFBwax]

Dick.. can you come down to Ptown? I need a heads up display teleprompter because I'm running out of things to say to the old hen. Just rented a camaro on vacation and it actually had a heads up speedo in there. Kind of unnecessary if you ask me.

[Bleyseng]

I think wednesday or thursday should be sunny and dry so that would be perfect for me especially late in the afternoon.
I am going to Ptown in a week or so, as per IBXwax's request, bring a headsup display so he can talk to his chickens and I'll take it with me if its not too large.
So IBXwax, a whole weeks vacation in Hawaii and you don't have anything to say?