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Step 4Adapting, improving & FAQ
I've made about a dozen of these for friends and family and this is the latest and greatest version. The first used drip irrigation connectors and leaked like crazy. I like the mesh because it's not bulky and dries quickly. My next one won't have any straps, it'll be a Swiss cross shaped mesh attached with elastic cord in the back. I have put t-shirts over the seat but it reduces efficiency.
I'm open to any suggestions and am happy to answer any questions. Let me know how you use yours and if it's helped you beat the heat.
Tips: Put a teaspoon of bleach in the ice chest water to keep it fresh. Do NOT drink the ice chest water, DO drink the melted ice water from the clean pop bottles. You can use ice directly in the ice chest, but you'll have to empty the water. Swapping melted bottles for frozen bottles is easy, no mess. Any size bottle can be used, remove any paper labels because they'll jam the pump.
Here's some questions I've heard...
How about using it as a heater? A. You'd have to have a thin layer of clothes to use it as a heater, go for it.
How about sitting on it? A. That might work, but you could pinch a hose and reduce flow.
How about a head band or a hat with some tubing? A. Sure, go for it.
How about condensation, won't it get wet like a glass of iced tea? A. Yes, a bit, but it's better than sweat and it will help transmit heat from your skin to the tubing. You want cool AND dry? Get air conditioning.
My back went numb! A. Don't use it for prolonged periods, turn it off for a while or lean forward. When your skin gets too cold the blood flow decreases and it's not as effective pulling heat from you. Do not use this if you are diabetic or have low blood flow.
I'm open to any suggestions and am happy to answer any questions. Let me know how you use yours and if it's helped you beat the heat.
Tips: Put a teaspoon of bleach in the ice chest water to keep it fresh. Do NOT drink the ice chest water, DO drink the melted ice water from the clean pop bottles. You can use ice directly in the ice chest, but you'll have to empty the water. Swapping melted bottles for frozen bottles is easy, no mess. Any size bottle can be used, remove any paper labels because they'll jam the pump.
Here's some questions I've heard...
How about using it as a heater? A. You'd have to have a thin layer of clothes to use it as a heater, go for it.
How about sitting on it? A. That might work, but you could pinch a hose and reduce flow.
How about a head band or a hat with some tubing? A. Sure, go for it.
How about condensation, won't it get wet like a glass of iced tea? A. Yes, a bit, but it's better than sweat and it will help transmit heat from your skin to the tubing. You want cool AND dry? Get air conditioning.
My back went numb! A. Don't use it for prolonged periods, turn it off for a while or lean forward. When your skin gets too cold the blood flow decreases and it's not as effective pulling heat from you. Do not use this if you are diabetic or have low blood flow.
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Great idea! I've never worked with PEX, it wasn't around when I started working with tubing. Now it's in every hardware store / home center.
-Ev