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Thread: window extractor fans for cooling while camping

  1. 7th November 2014, 11:06 AM #1
    PhilipA
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    window extractor fans for cooling while camping

    This was posted in another post but deserves it's own as a project.


    The extractor fans are in a D2 but probably could be done in many models with parallel window frames or if you are good at maths even tapered window openings.
    It springs from some reviews I saw about the tiny solar fans that can be bought on ebay but are pretty useless. I thought I could make much better ones for not much money.
    I have tested them with the drivers window cracked about 30CM and a distinct air flow can be felt with the fans fitted to the LH rear door.


    I have posted photos at the bottom.
    Parts list is
    1x500MM x20x20 U channel aluminium Bunnings approx.$8
    1x500MMx5x5 U channel ditto $4
    500MM bailey channel from Clark Rubber $12?
    3x computer fans of choice ( 90MM seem to be about right power)
    Scrap material -ply/Perspex that will fit in window channel.

    Enough Sikaflex to stick the Perspex into the small channel which I riveted to the big channel and squeezed in to the width of the Perspex.

    The holes were drilled with a 70MM hole saw then opened with a jigsaw by tracing the ID of the fan housing with a ball point pen.


    You have to make the aluminium slightly shorter than the window aperture so it can slide in. The Perspex overlaps about 5MM one end so it can go into the window bailey channel, then the other end is slipped in, and then moved back a bit to seal. the window is then raised and it is then pretty secure.
    If necessary you could run it with a 12W solar panel , but I made a double adaptor for my fridge Merit plug and will run it from that.


    You may see that the middle fan is 80 MM, it is also 24V, so I have ordered another 2 90MM fans so I have one spare.
    Attached Thumbnails









    Last edited by PhilipA; 7th November 2014 at 11:23 AM. Reason: Pictures will not become correct size so recopied from gallery
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  2. 8th November 2014, 08:12 AM #2
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    Dervish
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    Your vent panel looks great, here is my low-tech version:



    I opted for louvred vents to make them rainproof. I currently run a separate fan just inside the vents but I like the idea of the PC fans, I'll have to scrounge around for some.

    I leave this vent in place 24/7. It keeps the vehicle much cooler if it is parked in the sun.
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  3. 8th November 2014, 09:09 AM #3
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    101RRS
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    I guess there is not such an issue with a Defender as there are so many holes in it as built but to get air out there has to be a means for fresh cooler air to get air in.

    So Philip how are you intending to do this - just leave a window open or make a second set of fans that push air in and the other set to suck it out.

    Garry
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  4. 8th November 2014, 09:57 AM #4
    PhilipA
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    So Philip how are you intending to do this - just leave a window open or make a second set of fans that push air in and the other set to suck it out.

    Garry


    Garry, I intend to leave either the back door ajar or open the drivers door window about 20MM.
    I have already checked and there is a considerable air flow through the driver's window with the fans on. The pressure drop in the car must pull air in.
    This is also why IMHO you must ensure the fans and their mount are well sealed in the window aperture so that air cannot leak in and straight out again. Although the picture shows the fans in the RH rear window, they will be in the LH rear window . They were only placed there as there was not enough room next to the wall to take a photo in the LH window..


    At a pinch I suppose that you could just rely on pulling air in through the air vent, but IMHO this is a hot part of the car , particularly in mine which is Oslo Blue. That is why I have also painted the roof silver, and covered the panoramic windows with black Chrome vinyl. The temperature drop from the silver paint alone is amazing, I reckon about 15C.


    All this is to make life easier for the fridge so while attended , I will leave the rear door ajar, as this will pass air from outside over the fridge..
    Regards Philip A
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  5. 8th November 2014, 10:33 PM #5
    Hoges
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    double post... sorry!
    MY99 RR P38 HSE 4.6 (Thor) gone (to Tasmania)
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    2023 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster (diesel)
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  6. 8th November 2014, 10:37 PM #6
    Hoges
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    A very neat job! IIRC there was a commercial version of these things some years ago...comprised a small extraction fan driven by a solar cell mounted on a plastic panel but it was flimsy and easily broken by vandals . The panel was fitted as shown in PhilipA's photo. Some people used two of them e.g. with one of them reversed... to pull air in (RHS rear window) and the other to push it out (LHS front)...

    A partially open sun roof on hot days is also effective... about the only reason I'd have a sun roof again.. I hardly, if ever, use it while driving otherwise ...
    MY99 RR P38 HSE 4.6 (Thor) gone (to Tasmania)
    2020 Subaru Impreza S ('SWMBO's Express' )
    2023 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster (diesel)
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  7. 9th November 2014, 10:10 AM #7
    PhilipA
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    BTW, the Perspex doesn't have to be as deep. I only left it like that in case the 90mm fans were insufficient so I left the option to fit 120mm fans. But the 90mm fans are fine so it could be quite a bit narrower.
    Regards Philip A
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