Thinking about A/C, Its getting hot... Options

[Andyrew]

So... Im thinking about a portable way to make an A/C system for my v8...

But. here are the limitations.

I will not rob any hp by putting on a compressor. (more belts to possibly fail)

The unit has to be completely removable

The unit cant cost more than 150 in parts or 200 premade.


Here are a couple of options that im thinking. along with pro's/cons

ICE BOX
Build a box that holds ice packs and ice, throw some fans, some switches, ect, and get some ice cold air coming at me.

Pro's. Cheap, 20 bucks in airplane fans, metal/wood is cheep, Plastic sealing, Mesh for the ice to sit on, switches, and an lighter plug..

Cons. Sealing it will be a problem, Drain off might cause some issues, Ice will only last an hour max, ice packs will be maybe 2 hours cold.


PREMADE

Couple of company's are out there making beverage coolers and warmers..


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005R2M...&n=15684181
http://www.globalsources.com/manufacturers/Car-Cooler.html

Even

http://www.kooleraire.com/index.htm

Pro's.. No fab...

Cons.. Not for cooling the car, but food


Thermoelectric...

Now it gets interesting... I read some stuff, and noticed most of the coolers are using this thermo electric thing... Now how can I make this into something useful?

If I understand it right, one polarity heats up one plate, and one polarity freezes another plate.

So..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thermoelectric-Peltier...1QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/Gigantic-62mm-350-Watt...1QQcmdZViewItem


If I used them instead of ice... I might get some pretty darn good cooling output?!?
But what about power usage?

Those little things I just dont understand... Anyone want to help me and tell me if im dreaming?

Thanks

Andrew

[MBowman325]

A pelter junction is an approach that a few people have tried. They are best suited for direct contact or small areas though. One thing about them, it's not just reversing polarity, but you've actually got two sides, so while you may have one side 40* below ambiant, the other side may be 40* above ambient (depending on ambient temp, seems like most are set up to not go over 130 or 140*).

At my grandparent's old shop I always wanted to line the cast iron stove with plastic and stick in 20 lbs of ice and turn on the fans... Never did though... I think the added moisture may have been an issue in a computer shop.

Another unique approach, would require some engineering and creative implementation, but a moderate sized venturi, suitably placed, could provide some good cooling at speed. I doubt it'd do you much good around town though. I wouldn't know if there'd be enough room in the front trunk to make it work, and what I have in my head stretches the limits of your requirements for it being quickly removable and <=150.

I was looking around for an all electric system designed for small vehicles to use on the Porsche. As far as I found, there are no viable ones on the market, as the motors tend to be 5 HP mated to the compressor. (Seems like 2-3 would work, but the issue of startign the compressor requires 5 HP). PLus the weight. of such a system seemed to me to offset not having a belt driven compressor. (Toyed with the idea of an alternator with no regulator to get 120v, but stepping it to 240 efficiently to drive said motor would be an issue, as would keeping it at a steady 120V)

The end result is that you can't cool without some horsepower, as was mentioned. Electrical power still required HP. Maybe water cooling tubes in the seats to keep your back cool? Still a pump required, and getting it below ambient would be an issue. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Creativity is your key if you want to do it, but 150-200 would pretty much kill anything I'd think. Be interested to know if you find anything out though