Fan for car

_Whimsical_

So it's that time of year again when the sun comes out and Ireland becomes just barely warm ,yet my car turns into a suntrap sauna on wheels.
Open windows make some difference but has anyone tried any cheap but effective cooling fans in their car that have worked? I've bought two last summer and both have been less than useless. Also air conditioning is not an option.:(

peasant

Those little 12V whirly things are pointless.

Before you drive off, open all doors (and the hatchback if you have one) and let the breeze through for a minute. That's the best thing really.

After that, opening the odd window should cope with the heat.

zilog_jones

Has the pollen filter ever been changed? If not it may be restricting airflow which probably isn't helping.

_Whimsical_

zilog_jones wrote: »

Has the pollen filter ever been changed? If not it may be restricting airflow which probably isn't helping.

Thank you both for the replies!
I don't think the pollen filter has ever been changed. I didn't even know I had one to be honest. I'll look into that!
I have a few long trips ahead of me with someone who is quite ill and heat intollerant so that's why I was hoping there'd be a quick fix with some sort of fan.
I read about www.magicool.uk.com in a magazine today. You can spray it on yourself or into the car to cool it down. I might give it a trial run though before I go poisoning any already sick passangers .:o

L1011

It'd be respiratory problems I'd be more worried about with those sprays than poisoning. Quite likely made of nasty chemicals you don't want to be breathing the vapour of.

Get the actual operation of the fan and any filters checked before doing anything; blasting the cold setting for two minutes or so should cool a car to a tolerable level at the very least.

fryup

is it possible to install air-con in a car??

or can you get a dash mounted device that will do the job??

you could, in theory, get a small low power but 230V air con unit and put it under a seat hooked into an inverter.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-portable-air-conditioner.htm

http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-12V-Air-Conditioner---Cheap-and-easy!/

CJhaughey

If you fit tints it might help, the other thing that can help is if your dash is a large black modern type dash, lay a towel over it, it stops the black absorbing heat and wafting it back over you.
Looks strange but is actually effective, also use a reflective sunshade when parked to slow the interior heating up.