Driver cooling systems?

[gran racing]

Almost more for while on grid than actually racing, I'm beginning to wonder if a driver cooling system might be worth the investment? Opinions for and against them?

Jerry - while at the Glen you mentioned some other way that you put one together. Could you explain what you did and tell us where it can be purchased?

This system looks interesting; wonder how much of a difference there is between it and some of the more expensive units?
http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/1-Driver/21-Cooling-System/item-899-FRESH-AIR-SYSTEMS-RACER-SERIES-COOL-SUIT-SYSTEM
(http://www.ogracing.com/catalog/1-Driver/21-Cooling-System/item-907-FRESH-AIR-SYSTEMS-COOL-SUIT)

[Z3_GoCar]

Hey Dave,

There's a parallel thread here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1493179

If you scroll down there's a link to a guy making his own. I've been eyeing a 12v. sump pump and screw cap cooler at Wallmart as the basis for a cooler. The hardest part to create is the shirt, even the connectors are easy to find.

[kjh6576]

Dave,
I've been utilizing a Cool Shirt system for almost 2 years now. The only regret I have, was not buying one sooner.
Ken

[lawtonglenn]

.

Dave

Both Bob Blake and myself use the RPCM coolvest, as does Brian Bagnall
and Paul Mertz...they are available direct, or through Pegasus for $179

http://store.coolvest.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RWS&Product_Code=RCVC15WT-A&Category_Code=

.

[Wreckerboy]

Dave -

I just "graduated" to a cool suit system this season. To put it politely, it's flat effing wonderful. I built my own as well. Search around the web, there is a tutorial by some guy with a Spec Meotter that everybody uses as a blueprint.

Don't limit yourself by thinking you'll only use it on the grid. My last two races this year were in 95 degree plus conditions (one person with data acq said they had interior temps in the 130 degree range), and it made a huge difference in the way I felt during the race and the condition I was in at the end.

Right now I'm trying to figure out a way to use it when I'm cutting the lawn or working around the house.

PS: If you build it with the assistance of the Garage Safety Steward, please post photos.

[gran racing]

PS: If you build it with the assistance of the Garage Safety Steward, please post photos.

You'll be quite happy to hear that we finally graduated to video this weekend as Kai tried beating the dents out of the Civic. It went as well as I expected. lol

[924Guy]

My wife swears by it. I've used it, but don't find it to be such a big deal... that said, I tolerate heat VERY well and train regularly in the worst heat (mid-to-late afternoon, hot humid and sunny) for specifically this reason.

[ner88]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Donjoy-ICEMAN-Therapy-Rehab-Unit-Exclnt-Condition-/150466800890?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2308852cfa

Bought this style cooler, I think we paid $65. and added a Kool Shirt.
Comes with a 110 to 12V power converted, just cut the wire and used 12v power.
Same connectors as Kool system.

[Hoof Hearted]

If one was in need of exiting the car very quickly... ...would these dry-break couplings yank apart (without using normal release procedures) easily??

[Darryl Pritchett]

Right now I'm trying to figure out a way to use it when I'm cutting the lawn or working around the house.

PS: If you build it with the assistance of the Garage Safety Steward, please post photos.[/QUOTE]

http://www.50degree.com/m/11000/11414/images/Catalog%20Images/Vests/SportVest//th_BlueVest-zipper-Med-Tammy.jpg

Here is your answer! I use this while racing and in the pit area as well as mowing the yard. We also let a couple of the grid workers wear one and they love it. They use the RCPM technology and can be recharged in a cooler of Ice in 20 minutes and then will last well over an hour in race conditions and over 2 hours outside the car.

[ner88]

If one was in need of exiting the car very quickly... ...would these dry-break couplings yank apart (without using normal release procedures) easily??
If you are concerned, I'm pretty sure you can buy Fast system couplings. Still a lot cheaper and it works.

[rhygin]

I have been using a cool shirt for a few years and when it is really hot... it is really, really good. I think it helps a lot with fatigue and heat frustration.

I bought the shirt and made the whole cooling box myself. I can take some pics if you like, but a general run down is as follows:

1) 8 or 10 quart cooler ($10 at Target)
2) 360 GPH Rule bilge pump ($10 at West Marine)
3) Handful of small fittings and plastic hose... ($10)
4) Dry-break fittings (http://gocfa.com/ forgot how much... but staggeringly cheap as compared to a race equipment shop. Like $2 or so each.

Add some stuff I had lying around for a mounting bracket...

LMK if y'all wanna see the cooler I made... many people have take a hard look at it at the track.

Best,
BB