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> OT Cold water 12 volt air conditioner for the 914., Anyone tried this?
Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:07 AM
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I researched these air conditioners on the internet and found they cost about $700 to buy. I thought I might try to make one myself. How hard could it be rite? I started with a closed loop water circulation system. It is powered by a 12 volt 2 amp pump with a gallon per minute output. I got it at the local RV parts store. Bent some 3/8 inch copper tubing to fit into an old cooler we have in the garage. Connected some 3/8 rubber hose and used a heat exchanger I bought at a flea market for $5. Filled it with water and tried to bleed out as much air as possible.


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Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:09 AM
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It fits into the cooler and the cooler is filled with water and ice.


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Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:10 AM
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I built a plenum and will use this blower to force fresh air into it to be cooled by the heat exchanger. (Not sure if should be called a heat exchanger but you know what I mean right?) Cold exchanger? Anyway.


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Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:12 AM
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I used a Shop Vac hose for ducting and I had a double outlet attachment for the blower. This is about what it will look like. If the damn thing works I will make another one that looks a little better.


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Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:17 AM
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Here's the other side. I will also make a longer handle so it clears the plenum and pump. I hope to have one working for the ride up to the WRC. The blower and the pump will run on the 914 electrical system OK and I tested it and it seems to blow a good amount of volume. I need to test how cold the air is when it exits the plenum. I might try that tomorrow if there isn't too much to do around the house.


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sww914
post Apr 30 2008, 12:17 AM
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Cool (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Idea!
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Sleepin
post Apr 30 2008, 12:23 AM
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Pretty neat idea for alot of applications! I could definetly make a long drive a lot cooler. I wonder how long before the water became heat soaked (water....soaked :bfh: ) and came up to ambient temperature.

Excited to see if it works Elliot!
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drive-ability
post Apr 30 2008, 12:25 AM
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thats nice, I wonder how well it will work? I would freeze a solid block of Ice. You may be able to do that if you can disassemble the top and reassemble it before you use it...
Very nice !!! My wife had knee surgery and had a knee wrap with a similar system. It kept the water very cold for a long time..
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Elliot Cannon
post Apr 30 2008, 12:36 AM
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I know the concept works. You can google them and see. The problem is will *mine* work? They're also kinda expensive. I'm not sure if the parts I'm using will work very effeciently. I'll try to hook it up and take a drive tomorrow. Be nice if was in the 80s or so to give it a real test. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers, Elliot
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So.Cal.914
post Apr 30 2008, 01:04 AM
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"Go Gadgit Teener"!

Can ya see Elliot laying out across the wing: "HOLD IT LEVEL, I CAN FIX THIS..!"
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Neat idea, and you had all this stuff laying around the garage? Pretty Cool.(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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GWN7
post Apr 30 2008, 01:28 AM
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compact swamp cooler.... nice......add salt to the ice water.....according to Myth Busters it brings down the water/ice temps faster
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Sleepin
post Apr 30 2008, 02:54 AM
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Adding salt would do that. I remember making ice cream as a kid, and to get the ice cream cold enough we dumped salt and ice on the outside of the container while we spun it. Makes sense, saltwater freezes at a lower temp. Good idea.
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blitZ
post Apr 30 2008, 06:22 AM
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Beer please...
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Pretty slick and should work well. I have seen a similar setup used on a boat with a small cabin for overnight trips during the summer.
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johannes
post Apr 30 2008, 07:05 AM
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fill it with liquid azote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
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SLITS
post Apr 30 2008, 07:33 AM
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You should have bought Mike Zs' Cool Suit that was for sale at the Swap Meet .... that's the same system it used 'cept the ice water is pumped thru a lattice in the suit.

Now, paint it yellow.
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Cap'n Krusty
post Apr 30 2008, 09:27 AM
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Is it just me, or is it really scary that "Myth Busters" is cited as scientific authority ..................... Maybe they don't have high school science teachers anymore ........

The Cap'n
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marks914
post Apr 30 2008, 09:39 AM
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I am going to try this with my heat exchanger installed in the fresh air box

Mark

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marks914
post Apr 30 2008, 09:54 AM
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You could probably run a bilge pump in the bottom of the cooler and just pump the ice water.

Mark
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MoveQik
post Apr 30 2008, 10:10 AM
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What size wheels can I fit?
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Elliot has been flipping through the Sporty's Pilot Shop pages again and applying their products to our cars. Any chance it would work on a 105 degree day? I've got an ice chest just looking do be cut up.

Very cool!
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So.Cal.914
post Apr 30 2008, 10:18 AM
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Any air volume is good when over a hundred degrees, Cool air? Even better...

Oh it gets 125+ here and I have no air in the teener. I may try it myself.
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