Beaded Seat Covers Are Cheap, Keep You Cool

[Schwaebz]

pics?

[cfg83]

Schwabe -

Originally Posted by Schwabe

anybody tried these? do they work or are they a gimmick?

Amazing SummerSeat Self-Cooling Car Seat Cushion

I looked at that URL and saw that it uses 1.5 Amps. That's pretty good. I am 80% sure they have the same one on JC-Whitney for $40 :

Wagan Wagan Air Circulating Seat Cushion : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

* Air Circulating Seat Cushion solves the problem of overheated seats and sticky back and drawers!
* Built in electric fan draws in cool air and circulates it throughout the seat for cooling relief
* Adjustable control allows you to select the perfect cooling level
* Attractive 2-tone design

Wagan Air Circulating Seat Cushion takes care of that nasty "hot seat" problem experienced on longer drives. Ingenious design delivers cool comfort on longer journeys or on those extra hot days. Includes power adapters for use in car, office or home and adjustable straps for universal fit.

Question: How much solar panel square footage is needed to generate 12 volts DC at 1.5 Amps?!?!?!?!

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Me -

Originally Posted by cfg83

...

Question: How much solar panel square footage is needed to generate 12 volts DC at 1.5 Amps?!?!?!?!

CarloSW2

All About Solar Power - The Future is Solar

...
These two (amps and volts) can be combined together to say how much energy or power is involved. This is measured in watts. They combine using the equation:
Watts = Amps x Volts.
...
As all are giving producing a nominal 12 volts - using the equation above and assuming a bright (not necessarily sunny) day:
the 10 watt panel gives out just under 1 amp,
the 20 watt, gives out just over 1.5 amps
the 30 watt gives out exactly 2.5 amps.
...

Here is a 20 watt Solar Panel for $180, :

20 Watt Framed Solar Panel

Our new high quality and economically priced 20 watt framed solar panel is perfect for charging batteries or other small solar applications. Includes brackets for flat mounting.

Specs:
Rated power: 20 watts
Nominal voltage: 12 Volt
Peak voltage (Vmp):17.5 Volt
Peak current (Imp): 1.2 Amp

Dimensions: 360 x 530 x 17 mm, 14 x 20 x 0.7 inch
Weight: 2.5 Kg, 6 Lb.

The price is high, but at least the size is mangeable.

CarloSW2

[Twerp]

Actually, the beads are the first "ecomod" I did to my truck. I supported the evil empire and bought them at Walmart for $8.88 each. They work pretty well, but they do pluck the occasional hair and they elicit the occasional "Wow, you're truck looks like a taxi now" response from friends. Not entirely satisfied with the attachment system that they are supplied with. I would like it if they were a little wider near the top of the seat. Overall though, they aren't bad... Might even get a set for the office chair that I sit in all night. If I feel really ambitious, I might spray paint them white with a few gloss coats to increase heat reflection as well as the ugliness factor.

[Z man]

I have the $8.88 Walmart covers for both my front seats.

I've gotten quite a few cab driver remarks from friends.

[Twerp]

Maybe I should install a fare meter...

[dcb]

LOL, saw my seat covers on the front page

They take a little string engineering to install and a little getting used to, but they are comfortable and cool. Wife seems to like them too

Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

[justpassntime]

I had some of those a long time ago. If you wear shorts they will occasionally pinch your ass and legs.

I think I have a solution for both the beaded seat covers and the fan seat cover. I am ripping my seats out and putting in a slat style park bench and putting a fan underneath it. LOL

There are many types to choose from, if you did a propylene storage bench you could fill it with ice and you favorite beverage and keep you buns frosty too.

[99LeCouch]

Bringing this back from the dead...

I will have to look into these. I spend a LOT of time driving and hate having a sticky back when reaching my destination. Especially when the cloth seats in my car let me sink in.