12 Volt high speed van Cig. lighter connection

JayDee · Guru

12 Volt high speed van Cig. lighter connection

brian · Guru

What sort of fan were you using? ie axial or tangential/radial.

What was its air volume? likely listed in m³/min

I would suggest that having the fan at the outlet, sucking air through the box will give you a better air flow as fans generally work better that way, they don't like back pressure.

oldbobsbus · Guru

JayDee wrote:
I recently noted on a forum where one can take a foam Esky or Broccoli box and by using a 12 volt van cut into the top and a small PVC outlet pipe cut into the side one can make an Air Conditioner for summer. You have to use frozen bricks or ice or frozen bottles of water etc etc. to create the cool air flow.
The fan blows the air over the cold products and then out thru the PVC pipe. This should cool down the van when bush camping.
Now... I purchased a 12 v fan from super cheap, but the air flow could not generate much output volume. So back it went.
So... what is the best fan to use, bear in mind would be great with 3 speed and heaps of blower speed.
I think if it works it will be a blessing in the summer months.

Jay&Dee

Do you also believe in Santa.. biggrin

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I think you saw the "cooler" on this forum JayDee.

Have a gander here - http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t56489823/cooling-the-van-during-summer-heat/

Cheers - John

JayDee · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I think you saw the "cooler" on this forum JayDee.
Have a gander here - http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t56489823/cooling-the-van-during-summer-heat/
Cheers - John

Yes, John that is the one I was talking about. If the video is correct, and now then Bob, if you are reading this, then Bob, Yes I do think Mr Santa Claus will deliver what the video claims.

If it does, then I am the one laughing.

Do not know much about fans, so I am currently throwing it out there for some feed back.

Cheers

Jay&Dee

Herb · Veteran Member

Caframo 12 volt on inlet and a small computer fan on outlet. The ones Ive seen the fans blow/suck in the ends using a fish box and worked well. The exit one is for movement out of box as like brian says fans generally don't like back pressure. Baffles in the ice box are also a good idea to create a baffle effect to make the air flow over more cold surface. Baffles about 12 inches apart at bottom and opposite at top. Fan blows air between baffles. the bottom baffles hold grid tray which you sit the ice on (small ice bricks better as dont restrict flow as much).
In the end you have a cooler, dont expect as good as a aircon but not bad if nothing else and if use end to put beer keep nice and cool and works better than the toaster grids with ice packs in front of fan. It sounds major but really simple. baffles at bottom can be rows of beer cans, grid can be a rack outta oven, top baffles can be cardboard.

Cheers

Herb

oldbobsbus · Guru

JayDee wrote:

Yes, John that is the one I was talking about. If the video is correct, and now then Bob, if you are reading this, then Bob, Yes I do think Mr Santa Claus will deliver what the video claims.
If it does, then I am the one laughing.
Do not know much about fans, so I am currently throwing it out there for some feed back.
Cheers
Jay&Dee

Hi John,

I can see that it would work in principle but I have trouble believing it would make much difference if any on days like we had here in NSW last week and the week before..

You would go broke keeping ice up to it..

We were even having trouble making the ice in our cold drinks last to the end. cry

Happy Daze · Senior Member

I've found that a good way to feel a bit cooler when the temperature rises is to keep a fine mist spray bottle handy, filled with water and after spraying yourself sit in front of a fan for a while. It could be a 12V fan or a 240 run off an inverter. Just another option for when you can't use the van's air conditioner, it gives a nice bit of temporary relief.

Annie

oldbobsbus · Guru

Happy Daze wrote:
I've found that a good way to feel a bit cooler when the temperature rises is to keep a fine mist spray bottle handy, filled with water and after spraying yourself sit in front of a fan for a while. It could be a 12V fan or a 240 run off an inverter. Just another option for when you can't use the van's air conditioner, it gives a nice bit of temporary relief.
Annie

Some of the shops at Tamworth this year were selling the water spray with a small fan attached which were very popular..

Even a spray is better than nothing .. smile

pawsoz · Senior Member

Definately a Caframo fan....the water bottle spray worked for me in Tamworth too!, my camp spot was right out in the middle of the cmca paddock so I was in full sun just about all day when 'at home' and I managed to keep my self and my boys reasonably comfy....although the very very hot days I did de-camp to a nice full shade parking spot by the river!
The other items I have that really came into their own up there were the 2 cool mats for my boys, mats that one soaks which activates some sort of 'magic' ring out the excess water and place on or under dog (or even Annie) and one stays cool for quite some time!

annie

native pepper · Senior Member

There are lots of 12v/240 volt icepack coolers on Ebay for various prices and from our experience, the cheaper ones work well, their are a couple of others who use a different principal and are expensive. Or just search for for portable evaporative coolers, or how to build one. You'd be amazed ah what a difference drawing hot air down through ice packs and out of computer fans can do. Experienced them in action at a festival we wen to here in Jan, parked with another bus and they had a couple they had built. Our solar roof fans and inside 12v fans did nothing compared to what being in their MH was like. Have desinged a system based on theirs, which works just as good A/C and no water vapour. Hope it works as well and should have it done before we head to Aus.
-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 6th of February 2014 05:56:34 PM

-- Edited by native pepper on Thursday 6th of February 2014 06:27:32 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Is there any crocks in the rivers ?? Umm? Is there any water in them ??