Green Wedge

TRANSPORTER RESURRECTION

The Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter (better known as the Kombi) is being reinvented as a fully electric vehicle (EV), the ID Buzz.

Feeling the buzz? The electric Kombi is scheduled to go into production in 2022. Back in 2015, the Volkswagen brand suffered a hit by what was dubbed “Dieselgate”, when the company cheated to under-report emissions from its diesel engines. What an environmental and PR disaster that was. The trust the company had built up over decades evaporated. Fast forward to 2017 and the Detroit Motor Show of that year, when the company unveiled its ID Buzz, an electric people-mover inspired in part by the beloved Type 2 Transporter, or Kombi. Not only did it provide the image massage the previously esteemed company required, it also served as a green marker in the figurative sand of where the company is headed. Next year the ID Buzz goes into production, part of VW’s concerted push into EV manufacturing. Indeed, the Teutonic auto maker has invested an astonishing AUD$55 billion into the program. The company plans to launch many EVs, all built at carbon-neutral manufacturing plants, such as the one at Zwickau in eastern Germany. “With our electric cars we want to make a substantial contribution to climate protection,” says VW’s Thomas Ulbrich. “The ID will be a model for sustainable mobility.” Zwickau will be ground zero for the company’s global roll-out of its E-fleet. Capable of manufacturing 330,000 electric vehicles a year, it represents the world’s first transformation of a major car factory from internal combustion production to e-mobility. As for the ID Buzz, if the concept model is followed it will have eight seats, two electric motors producing 275kW, all-wheel drive, and a 600km range. And should everything go to plan, it will be the first VW capable of autonomous driving. ■

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1 NATURE PREVAILS

This nest was found by the Greenstar projects team during a recent unit replacement at an electrical switch room. “The bird has been systematically pulling cable ties off cable runs,” says Brett. “Not sure it would have had the desired thermal effect, however!” Graham says: Nature will always have its way, and this can often become an issue for HVAC&R equipment. Sometimes a technician’s job can become most unpleasant as “pest controller” and dead animal remover (there is a bad smell somewhere)! 2 PASS ME THE WHIPPER SNIPPER

The residents at this property weren’t sure why their AC wasn’t working. To be fair, it doesn’t look too bad with the cover on. Thanks to Trad for the photo. Graham says: Always safer to use proper mounting blocks or wall brackets. Bad installation begins with the placement of the outdoor unit, which locks in the future demise of the installation.

3 NO DUCT TAPE? NO WORRIES!

“Here’s a new way of joining duct,” says Ian, who found this in a resident’s house in North Queensland, along with plenty of condensation. Graham says: Interesting what can be hidden in a roof space! The condensation is a real worry, especially in tropical areas. I have seen ceilings collapse because of condensation off badly insulated air conditioning equipment where there is high relative humidity.

4 THE PROBLEM WITH R32

It seems some people still don’t realise flammable refrigerants are screwed anti-clockwise. Incredibly, it’s not the first time we’ve seen photographic evidence of someone attacking a bottle with an angle grinder. This one was handed in to Luke at Kirby’s Osborne Park branch in WA. Graham says: Ignorance rules – and can be highly dangerous too! 5 WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT

Alistair in Melbourne noticed this on an adjacent roof. “The old cabinet cooler casing complete with thermostat has been recycled,” he points out. “Wonder what the thermostat is set to?” Graham says: You sort of hope it wasn’t someone you trained who left a job looking like that! It will eventually rust out the roof as the timber “mounting” disintegrates.

Additional comments and observations provided by Graham Boyle, F.AIRAH, portfolio manager, heavy automotive and refrigeration at South Metropolitan TAFE. Please note that the comments are provided on the basis of the photos only and should be read with this in mind – not all issues or solutions are apparent from a 2D image.

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY?

If your entry is deemed the monthly winner, a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be 18 or over. Send your hi-res (>500KB) photos to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au

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