Poor Man's AC

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by DaX

When I'm not using mine, I keep it on the shelf right next to my Flowbee.

Is that where you keep your Ronco Pocket Fisherman? That seat cushion thing thing looks like it may work though.

[Silveredwings]

But wait, where are the ginsu knives? j/k

[krousdb]

It arrived while I was at Hybridfest. I installed it last night. The seat pad attaches two the seat with two straps. The fit is good.

The business end of the unit is a 3x3x8" box which contains a pump and whatever other technology is used to cool the fluid. The fluid is pumped thru an insulated flexible conduit about 3/4" dia including the insulation. Inside the conduit are the tubes that the fluid flows thru. The tubes run thru two pads, one on the seat and one in the lumbar region. Along with the two cooling pads, other pads are arranged to allow air flow behind your back and under your seat. The pump unit plugs into a 12v socket and also comes with a 120V AC to 12DC rectifier.

My first impression was fairly good. The pump unit is quiet with a slight gurgling sound. During the drive to work, I could feel the "coolness". The drive home will provide a better opportunity to judge the value of this Poor Man's AC system.

[JanGeo]

Oh that explains how the cool the seat - does the box get hot or what??

[krousdb]

The box has a fan that disperses the heat thru vents in ths side.

[krousdb]

OK so it was about 85F on the drive home. It didn't take long to feel the cooless on my back and butt. It was a strange feeling but one that I could get used to. When I got home my back was only slightly wet. Normally I am drencehd.
Did it help? Yes. But I had hoped for a little more cooling. I will try to find a better place to put the box so that the heat can be dissapated better.
Is i worth it? Well that depends. I will have to sleep on it. Ask me in a few weeks.

[GasSavers_nathan]

so pretty much its taking the heat from your back and dumping it into the air making the car even hotter.
Wouldnt it make more sence to have the box outside the car?

[krousdb]

Yes, it just transfers the heat. The car doesn't get any hotter though because the vent fan is on and the hot air gets vented thru the rear of the car. Putting the box outside would make little difference and expose it to the elements which would prolly kill the box innards.

The net effect is that you feel cooler.

[GasSavers_nathan]

ah i get it.
a nifty little toy. I wouldnt mind one if they actually do work..but its pricey and theres a boat load of things more important.

[MetroMPG]

Do you know how it works? ( I'm suspecting it's a Pelletier (sp?) device. )

I put my "air conditioning" in the car this week too: my wooden bead seat cover. Don't laugh. You'd be surprised how much cooler they keep you!