Insulated Front Fresh Air Vents

Now that I've been driving the bus AND it's winter, I've started to learn about how the Heat and Cool operate. Pretty simple actually. The heat has dedicated separate venting from the fresh air. For some reason I had thought they were dependent and you just open/close flaps like you do in modern cars. Turns out you don't and this is good.

Well, all of the fresh air comes in through the front grill. The Fresh Air lever (blue one) in my bus open and closes the flaps. When they're open, air comes in while the car moves. It's kinda nice... except when it's 7 degrees outside and you're praying for the heat to work.

Did some research and took apart my front grill. The flaps were there and operated really well. Originally the flaps had this foam insulation that stuck inside the flap and, when closed, stopped air from leaking in. The foam in mine was gone.

Went to Home Depot and bough this:

It's weather stripping for automotive and marine applications. Has a glue that stands up to cold and weather. Figured it was a good buy.

Took my vents out and laid three strips each lengthwise across the inside of the vent. Here's a picture with the weather stripping installed:

Tested it out and it closes great. Theoretically, when I drive now, I should have the gush of cold air through these vents. If that still happens I'll have to open it back up and add some more insulation.

Took maybe 15 minutes cause I was moving slow.

Just checked it out and works really well. Barely any air coming through the vents! Woot!

casey