The dash sock (silica gel to prevent frost forming on windows)

[mnmarcus]

I was thinking about this as an a/c-less option to defrost and then thought silicosis...

Silicosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Silicosis is due to deposition of fine respirable dust (less than 10 micrometers in diameter) containing crystalline silicon dioxide in the form of alpha-quartz, cristobalite, or tridymite.

Looks like a simple hepa filter may work. Could be overkill but being overly safe seems like a good precaution...

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Do I see a silica gel group buy coming?

www.trockenmittel-shop.de sells Silica gel

Example :
240 bags with 60 gram (+/- 4 bags to a pound) silica gel wrapped in Tyvek are 95 euro.


It boils down to 2.5 bags per euro.
Postage would be a deal killer if it had to be sent from Belgium though

[arcosine]

I have used a gallon jug of water to keep ice off the windshield, as it freezes, it releases heat (latent heat of fusion). I suppose a few liter bottles would work too.

[Cd]

Thanks for sharing your sock idea. Now I can finally get serious about removing my A/C belt without worrying about the windows fogging up.

One question though : Since I am in Texas, we don't get that white cold stuff that falls from the sky here. My main problem is instant fogging of the windshield on a hot muggy day.
What kind of preparation is needed in my situation, and how long will this thing last if I leave it in my car ?
Thanks again

[arcosine]

In that case of hot humid weather, bring a squirt bottle full of soapy water and apply to the fogged up window when needed.

[ShadeTreeMech]

I know where to get ample supplies of silica gel for next to nothing.

Disposable diapers

Just get the unused variety. Sometime recycling isn't a good idea :P

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

I know where to get ample supplies of silica gel for next to nothing.

Disposable diapers

Are they reversable like silica gel ?

They will absorb water, but I'm not too sure they will absorb water vapor.

Just get the unused variety. Sometime recycling isn't a good idea :P

LMAO !!!

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Are they reversable like silica gel ?

Am I the only one that puts wet diapers on the radiator to re-use them later?

[Ryland]

I'm about to get my electric car back on the road and due to the lack of A/C and almost no cabin heat it can be hard to keep the windshield fog free so one thought that I had was to install a dehumidifier in the car, behind the seat and plug it in to the spare plug from the charger plug so that it would come on whenever the car was plugged in.
A google search came up with two decent options dehumidifiers for RVs/cars EDV-1100 Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier that are also targeted at keeping closets and under sink cabinets dry, the other option is kind of like the silica gel filled sock, only in a fancy plastic case. Amazon.com: Eva-dry EDV-E-500 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifer: Health & Personal Care

[brucepick]

Re. safety -
I found this on the Wikipedia page on "silica gel":

Silica gel is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive and stable with ordinary usage. It will react with hydrogen fluoride, fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride, strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizers.[6] Silica gel is irritating to the respiratory tract and may cause irritation of the digestive tract, and dust from the beads may cause irritation to the skin and eyes, so precautions should be taken.[8] Some of the beads may be doped with a moisture indicator, such as cobalt(II) chloride, which is toxic and may be carcinogenic. Cobalt (II) chloride is deep blue when dry (anhydrous) and pink when moist (hydrated).

Crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis but synthetic amorphous silica gel is non-friable, and so does not cause silicosis.

Re. where to get it:

I found multiple versions when I searched for "Silica gel" on Amazon. Below are a few offerings that might be worthwhile for individuals - not necessarily for a group buy:

Amazon.com: 4 pack of 112 Gram Silica Gel Desiccant Packets 6" x 4.5" By Dry-Packs Brand! Prevent Mold, Mildew, Odors, and Corrosion!: Office Products

Amazon.com: Peli Desiccant Silica Gel, 4-Pack: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Dry-Packs Portable Dehumidifier Box - 450 Gram Silica Gel - Protects 33 CU FT! Can Be Reactivated, Indicator Included!: Home Improvement