Jalousie Window help please

As a newbie, I am looking for some guidance regarding louvre windows from all you experienced VW campers out there.

Bertie the Bus is a Devon conversion on, I believe , a microbus base rather than a van. (Seat belt mounts below window by rear seat back). At present we do not have any opening windows in the back and feel it would be nice to fit a louvre window on offside behind driver. As well as providing ventilation whilst camping, I presume they can be opened whilst travelling thereby providing some ventilation to the rear passengers.

I have seen mention of different number of slats, which I presume mean that there are various manufacturers/ models. Are they interchangable or do I need to obtain a Devon specific one?

Are there any companies supplying these new or is it a case of hunting the for sales, ebay etc. for second hand ones.

Are they a straight swap using the existing seal? or do I need to factor in the cost of specific seals as well.

And finally (I think) are they straightforward to fit for an average DIYer ?

Sorry for all the questions, but quite excited that we are finally getting around to making some changes to Bertie!

Many thanks
Gary

 

Hi Gary
As far as I know the Jalousie window was a Westfalia product, mostly 3 slated, but I could be wrong. There are no brand new ones available only reconditioned ones which are few and far between, they will fit any bus apart from converted panel vans, because the window sizes are different, hope this helps. You do see the odd ones on fleabay etc

I am looking at eventually finding some for mine to make it look more original, but let's get this years camping out the way!

 

Gary,
Devon did use a different jalousie window set up than Westfalia. Instead of a full length glass they had the lift mechanism in the centre of the window with 3 panes either side. Not available new but do come up sometimes on eBay. Westfalia jealousies are probably easier to find but expensive! Stick to original and find a Devon!
Stu

 

the jalousie windows aren't great open while travelling - they rattle anyway...... you could get a nice slider or maybe a 1/4 window if it's for ventilation? i took one of my jalousies out and fitted slider and also have the 1/4 light rear best of three worlds.

 

Hi Guys.

Thanks for all your responses and valuable info and insights.

Not sure another rattle is going to make too much difference! Anyway, I can just turn the radio up!

Will mainly be used for ventilation whilst cooking but thought it would be a bonus if it provides a draught in back whilst driving.

So definitely need to look out for 2nd hand and think like Stu says, keep it original to the Devon.

Anything I need to be looking out for? Are the mechanisms fairly straightforward and robust. Is it one size fits all or are there different ones for kombis and vans?

Cheers Gary

 

you need one for a microbus if yours is a microbus, the panel profile is different if it's a van conversion.

 

Cheers Rickyrooo1.
Are there any giveaways to the differences between the two when I find one?

 

not sure to be honest i only know from reading about it on here i think @Starryboy (not seen for ages) had the problem one time? @Lord Congi is a devon man he might know a bit more?

 

I have seen a few Devon ones come up on eBay , most Devon's we're on Kombi's so you'll be fine swapping it , there not really for opening when driving though, I also have a twin sliding window fitted on the sliding door as well , which is really worth doing.

 

The Devon ones have 2 separate mechanisms and sets of windows where as the westys just have one long pane.

 

Thanks Lord Congi.

Sounds like I need a louvred one on offside for cooking ventilation and a sliding window in sliding door for travel ventilation!

 

I'm doing this as I have a leaky slider.... but I have to strip and clean the jalouise i bought and then install new seals.
all fun and games!

 

and £££££££££s I guess!

 

Is jalouise French for Louvre...because I thought Louvre is French anyway.

Most Westys had a quarter light in the rearmost windows for on the go ventilation.

Might be worth looking at the opening rear hatch windows...can these be used on the move?

 

not really bit of autosol price of a window and seals and some greasy elbow.

 

Definition seems to relate to slatted blinds or shutters.

Wouldn't these be too far back for the rear passengers and my offside has a wardrobe there!

Is that the one called a rear safari window. I came across one whilst searching online to see what was for sale. But said you must have front safari windows open or will draw in exhaust fumes. From memory it was mega expensive too!

 

Ah so can't use them in the move then!

How much air are the rear passengers needing!?

 

I've got sliding windows and love them. Don't rattle at all and let loads of air in.

No idea what it's like in the back with them open when moving though. My seat is up the front

 

Both my daughters have said it is hot in the back and my youngest is not a particularly good traveller and tends to feel ill. I would therefore prefer to provide the option of fresh air if I can.

 

Will be the same for me but guess the girls can open the slider as much as they need.