vortex generators - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

redorchestra · 03-15-2012, 02:57 PM

Everytime I open the fridge door I am troubled by the obvious inefficiency of moving a huge flat Piece of metal through the thick dense atmosphere of sea level air pressure. I shudder at the inefficiencies of airflow, so I decided to do something about it. I fabricated these vortex generators for the fridge door.

I am seeing decreased drag and my suspicion is backed up by a-b-a coast down testing.

just kidding

I made these for my batchback but it is snowing today so they will just stay on the fridge. I am hoping to decrease my use of the rear wiper and hope that my washer fluid efficiency will be reduced by 15%. I am shooting for 1gallon per week savings!

skyking · 03-15-2012, 03:12 PM

I see those as being very effective at the monkey-sphincter interface area

Frank Lee · 03-15-2012, 03:51 PM

Leave them where they are.

redorchestra · 03-15-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Leave them where they are.

do you think they are doing that much good on the fridge. I know they look good.

With the lack of definate testing done, why do you say leave them there?

MetroMPG · 03-15-2012, 04:48 PM

Magnets and vortex generators - together at last!!

I think the universe just imploded a little.

jakobnev · 03-15-2012, 05:51 PM

So you will be using maybe several hundred watts all the time instead of maybe one hundred watts some insignificant fraction of the time.

Some cammback-like cover might be a better choice.

Sven7 · 03-15-2012, 06:19 PM

It's been pretty conclusively proven here that vortex generators, especially home made ones, do not help economy.

redorchestra · 03-15-2012, 06:30 PM

I think I might make a kamm back for my refrigerator! I already have one on my sofa!

redorchestra · 03-15-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven7

It's been pretty conclusively proven here that vortex generators, especially home made ones, do not help economy.

I am hoping to lessen the use of rear wiper! I thought there was no evidence around use in hatchbacks. I guess i'll look some more .

Sven7 · 03-15-2012, 06:48 PM

You've already got energy-sapping vortexes from the angled rear window. Just make a partial Kammback to cancel them out!

(Your sig works btw)