Active grill shutters at the dollar store!
 

These vents have a pair of plastic shutters that are actuated by a small DC motor. Perfect for an automated grill block! But being a motor, they need only a short electrical pulse to move. You can't feed them continuous power. The timer takes 2 AAA batteries, so I assume the motor gets about 3 volts. It works fine on 1.2v. I wouldn't try 12v! Some weatherproofing for the motor will be necessary. The shutter area is about 4" x 9". I'll try one first, maybe that'll be enough airflow. I usually have a smaller grill opening than that.

I bought a bunch. I'll make a post in the classifieds if anybody else wants to play with one. Or if you're in Upstate NY, look for Real Deals Dollar Stores!

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1410546385

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1410546385

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1410546385

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1410546385

Nice find! I wanna see them on your car now. :)

http://www.amazon.com/Vent-Miser-91663-BR-Programmable-Energy-2-Inches/dp/B000WAGVRY

$7.89 for 2" x 12", $5.99 + $2.99 shipping for 4" x 10"

It would look something like this. That's just a normal vent that I never figured out how to reliably actuate. Luckily the new vent is the same size as the first one I bought! It's a 4" x 12" vent.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1410549719

If I buy you black paint, will you use it? :D

That's f#$%ing perfect! It's pretty much as I had envisaged fabricating. Sooo much easier to use off the shelf parts.

I think it will be better without the white vent cover and with a fabricated duct.

A regulated 3V (from "12V") is almost trivial to achieve.

I'm also thinking an aero profile on the blocking slats for when they are open :).

And, can something useful be done with the timer/clock?

I did paint it black. It's not actually even on the car, I currently have the license plate over the hole. And I have to constantly adjust the location of the plate to keep the radiator fan off. I can't wait to get this new vent working.

Interesting..... And someone on kick starter had one that you operate by bluetooth. Sounds like too much work, Ill stick to my little 4x4 inch opening. :thumbup:

I wonder if one of those would provide enough airflow for a 2000 insight in 104F Weather fully opened? This definitely is worth looking into if I can get my overheating problem fixed.

For hotter climates, I'd probably use two of them.