Liquid Cooled Car Seats For Babies (or you)

Step 4 The supply and return tubing assemblies

Now we are going to make two Y-shaped tubing assemblies, one for supply and one for return. (If you're only making one cooling pad, then you won't need the Y-adaptors.) They are put together in this order, as shown in the photo: Start with the female end of the quick release adaptor (US Plastic item #060465) and put a short section of 3/8" ID tubing to it. Insert another short section of tubing (1/4" ID) into it and use a small hose clamp to secure them together. You may also use a 3/8" X 1/4" reducer coupler instead (I used the clamps because they were cheaper and I had them on hand). Next, insert the Y-adaptor (US Plastic item #064357) to the 1/4" ID tubing, and insert 2 more small sections of 1/4" tubing to the other two ends. To these two ends, insert the 1/4" X 5/32" reducer couplers (US Plastic item #064276), which will fit into your irrigation tubing.

Each cooling pad has two tubes coming out of it, one for supply and one for return. It doesn't really matter which is which. Connect the supply and return tubes appropriately to the assemblies you just created.

Wrap each supply line with some fabric and then with some duct tape to act as insulation. I'm not sure how well this insulation method is working, because when I touch the supply line, it's cool to the touch. I'm open for suggestions for more effective ways of insulating 1/4" OD tubing that are also easy and cheap!