We have some ideas for further modification that we may or may not implement. For starters, we will probably connect a hose to the heater core output. This will eliminate the burbling, trickling sound that is hard on one's bladder, as well as make it easier to drain. The ArcticAir units have a valve inside that you turn to redirect the output to an external hose so that you can drain the cooler out the window onto the flight line without wrestling it through the door. Another option would be a drain plug on the bottom, which is already on many models of coolers. We also are considering a vent system, so that the lid could remain closed while still allowing air to circulate. The ArcticAir units have a louver vent on one side for this purpose. A third modification would be some way to redirect the airflow. ArcticAir units have adjustable flaps over the fans, which could work, or some have a duct hose assembly to redirect the airflow where it is needed. A fourth, and painfully obvious, step would be to enclose all the wiring inside the lid or in a project box to make it look neater. However, for the time being, the zip ties are plenty for us. Also, we may try using Blue Ice-type ice packs, so that it would be reusable and not waste water.
This being a Go Green contest, I should put in a spiel about why you would bother with this. The main purpose is to make it more comfortable to drive a zero-emissions electric truck in Kansas in August. This runs off any 12V power source that can shove out 3 amps, so it can be used in other areas that need cooled, such as a hot workshop. Also, the ice lasts for hours when it's not running, and you can leave it on while you run into the store. The only disadvantage is that you could say it wastes water in the form of ice, but you can empty it out on your garden or lawn. It uses only ice water for cooling, which is about as non-toxic and environmentally friendly as you can get, and it kept a hose, a cooler, and a heater core out of a landfill. In other words, it uses environmentally friendly power to run environmentally friendly coolant through recycled parts in a zero-emissions vehicle. Can you get greener than that? I mean, this is #008000 at its best! Just make sure to recycle batteries.
Thank you for reading!
I put this cooler together for a total of less than $150 .
I had the 12V 230 cfm 4â bilge blower fan (~$30 now, Attwood 1741), a junk car 5âX7âX ~ 2â cabin heater core (~$15???), 4â dryer hose/clamps, wire, connectors, misc parts and pieces.
I purchased a 12V 500 gph bilge pump (Wal-Mart Attwood 4606-7, $18.66), some ¾â hose, a few clamps, a 4â dryer adaptor, some fuses, the intake HVAC diffuser with control lever (Home Depot aircraft supply), a 12 V on off switch, & the 48 qt cooler box with drain (Walmart, $25). Total about~$86 incl tax
It took about 5-6 hours to put together. Worse thing was cutting the insulated cooler to fit the parts in. I used construction adhesive and SS wire/screws for most of it. Total cost<$150+ my time as an educational endeavor.
On a 104F TX day (today here), it cooled the air to 65F until the pittance of water/ice from the refrigerator test ran out. (I didnât purchase a couple of ice bags-will test that next-you put about a qt or so of water in to get the pump/exchanger to work).
4â Fan draw at 230 cfm=3.5 A at 13.6 V; 500 gph bilge pump=1.5 A. I used a 7.5 A fuse.
And agritzmacher has a point - how do you think electric cars are charged?
The raw materials and manufacture of Prius batteries requires 10,000 miles of transport, literally across the world: http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/car-driving/9345/A-Prius-Causes-More-Pollution-than-a-Hummer
Virtually all CFL bulbs - which we will be required to buy soon - are made in Chinese factories, fueled by "dirty" coal power plants. And they contain mercury, which, if the bulb breaks, requires approximately 6 types of tools and materials, and 14 steps (including cutting out a section of your carpet, if that's where it broke) - depending on who you ask.
Point 2: A CFL typically contains 4mg-5mg of mercury. The energy saved compared to an incandescent translates to something like 15mg-20mg less mercury vapor at a coal power plant.
Point 3: I made it to Level 2, I guess.
Point 1: Power plants in China (where virtually all CFLs come from) are NOT in any way shape manner or form: "cleaner than power from a gasoline engine". They have no scrubbers or any other type of pollution control whatsoever! In some Chinese cities, the smoke from power plants and other pollution literally makes it difficult to see for any distance, even at midday. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070709-china-pollution.html
Point 2: Try actually reading my comment. My comment was NOT about the impact of mercury on the environment in general but rather what a nightmare it is to have to clean up after a mishap with a CFL that we are going to soon be FORCED BY LAW to purchase, e.g.: http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflreport/appendixe.pdf
Have you ever actually used a high-lumen CFL (such as a replacement for the soon-to-be-outlawed 100W Edison bulb)? It is recommended that they only be used in applications where they will be on for at least ten minutes, because it takes 5+ minutes for them to reach rated output
Do you think this design will cool a 4 door Civic to a comfortable level here in Texas when it is 100 outside? I suspect we would go harder on the ice, ie, it will melt quicker, but I am an older disabled person that has a harder time as I age with the heat. I sure would like to hear what you have to say to my questions.
I also wanted to say that I know the head of the physics department at UT Austin. I am going to ask him if there is a way to add something to the water to make the ice/cold last longer. Without using salt, and non-corrosive to the heat exchanger. If he gives me a good answer, I will let you know. one more thing- may I have you and your fathers approval to build your idea??? Tahnks so much, james
How freaking green would this have to be before they give you credit? Who knows, but I'm growing tired of these "I recycle my own feces into tea, so I'm GREENER THAN YOU!" types.
Having been a Grist subscriber for a while now, I've had just about all the eco-pretentiousness I can stand. The truth is, you're miles ahead of 99.9% of the citizens of developed nations just for driving an electric only vehicle, and for seeking out homebrew solutions that not only save you cash but keep trash (like styrofoam) out of landfills.
Don't worry about just how "green" your idea is. It's a solid Instructable!!
By the way tazz, this project reuses *and* reduces , so according to the contest definitions, it was more than valid as an entry.
Why would it have been booted, when it says in the contest guidelines:
"So, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle, and rebuild, then show us what you are doing to make your life a little bit greener!"
Seems to me this instructable does just that...and it would seem the judges agree too.