Keeping a bit cooler in the summer

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

In theory I think it would make more sense to run the a/c during heavy acceleration so as to get your alternator charging during peak bsfc. I could be wrong though.

Other way around. There is an abundance of engine power, but not enough times to use it. Better to run accessories when it's lightly loaded. If you run the AC when the engine is running very slowly at low load, the engine might be in a poor BSFC area but the amount that you increase the BSFC is huge because you're putting load on the engine when it has very little load.

The exception would be if the engine speed is increased significantly to run the accessories, but that's what "pulse and glide" is for (as in, cycle the AC on and off, preferably on when braking).

[The donkey CRX]

Here is my solution for increased cooling without running the A/C. When trying to hypermile it costs me 10 MPG to run the A/C.

Previous poster spoke of the spotted pattern on your back and legs when using a beaded seat cover. What this means is only the part of the beads that touch your clothes collect sweat. The other parts use evaporation to cool you and don't leave you wet. There are many beaded seat covers available on Amazon.

I also use a "Tornado" fan that concentrates a strong breeze on your chest and head. You can get one for about $25 at any Pilot Truck Stop or Amazon.



This is the only picture I could find showing my beaded seat cover and "tornado" fan. One negative with the fan is the noise when run on high speed.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Evaporation is basically what makes the swamp-coolers keep the air flow a little colder, so the beaded seat covers and a cheap fan seem like a reasonable setup to keep everything simple.

[deejaaa]

not sure of the legality so proceed at you own risk:
using a windscreen shade, one side black, other silver. place across dash/steering wheel, black side up, use elastic band to secure to rolled up side window. creates shade, esp when driving towards the sun.

[gone-ot]

...be sure the silvered surface is as close as possible to the glass windshield as possible, because you want the reflected energy to go BACK thru the glass, NOT be reflected INTO the interior of the car.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...be sure the silvered surface is as close as possible to the glass windshield as possible, because you want the reflected energy to go BACK thru the glass, NOT be reflected INTO the interior of the car.

Especially the driver!

[Cobb]

I have a set of those shades and love them. They easily fold up out of the way and easily pop up and fill the window area. I use them when riding the james town ferry.

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by xntrx

There are 4 (3 unique) spots to cool a person down quickly, the head, the arm pits, and the crotch. This is what did today in the 90 deg mpg run (and in the past); Froze a cooler full of bottled water, and I stuck one between my legs. Once relatively thawed, replace with a new one, and drink the old. Keeps you cool and hydrated.

Other ideas: shave your head, wear flip flops, and swimming trunks.

Gotta love the crotch bottle cooling trick.