[simpits-tech] How do you deal with temperature inside the pit?

[Rob Hommel]

Albert:

Just got started on that very problem this very weekend. Gene and I have a
couple of separate problems to deal with on this issue. We are not in
complete agreement at this time as to how to solve them. I installed two new
hoses which will connect to the defroster vent surrounding the wind screen
and the vent on the center console. There was some struggle installing these
hoses into place being unfamiliar with the hose I tried to treat them like
water hose on an automobile. The hoses however were very uncooperative they
would not expand enough to slip onto the metal hoses which were in place. By
clipping the metal spiral wire on the inside of hose I managed to get some
more motion onto the fitting but it was a struggle. I then unwound the
retaining string which also spiraled up the hose to the place I thought was
a sufficient amount then clipped it off. Well what do I know it slipped
right on, no problem. Over an hour of cramped exhaustive work in the cockpit
and it just slides on. The hoses only extend to the other side of the
cockpit where they joined the cooling for the equipment. We will solve this
problem at a later date we have got the hoses in place for now.

I have a couple of large squirrel cage fans that will push a considerable
amount of air into the cockpit the only problem with them is the noise so we
will have to mount them further back into the area beneath the rear
equipment bays or even outside of the cockpit itself. The canopy will be
open to the rear of the cockpit so we will get some exhaust from the fans
there.

The other option is to use some 12dc muffin fans I have some doubts as to
the amount of air they will push but I do have a method of measuring the
fans air pressure so we will test it out at some point to see how much air
they will push. I may end up using this method to provide air to the oxygen
masks if they will push enough air through the hose to be useful and
beneficial. I think it would add a bit of realism to the mask as well to
feel air blowing through it.

Cooling for the equipment and ventilation will be another problem as we will
need to keep that forward equipment bays cool as well. We are really
thinking about using a good deal of muffin fans to push the air about and
exhaust the air from the forward bays. Again I have the squirrel cage fans
that may assist in ventilation of this area. It's funny how you tend to
collect objects long in advance of doing some of these tasks just on the
chance they may prove useful.

I remember seeing some time ago as to how one individual used a bathroom fan
to exhaust his cockpit and pump air into it. That may prove to be a great
idea and fairly inexpensive. You will have to wire it for Ac household
voltage but it may be a reasonable solution for your problem. You can find
them not much more than 6 inches deep and with plastic fan blades the fans
can be mounted remote and hose such as what is used for venting a clothes
dryer may provide you with sufficient air. The same maybe done for exhaust
venting.

Hope this helps, should you wish to do something along the lines of an air
conditioner that is a whole new ball game.

Keep 'em Flying
Rob Hommel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert Yung" <shizznit@ihug.com.au>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 7:16 AM
Subject: [simpits-tech] How do you deal with temperature inside the pit?


Hi guys,

This is a question especially for those of you who have or planning on
building an enclose cockpit (especially for the f16), i.e. with a canopy.
How do you deal with temperature that will bound to build up within the pit?

Heat generated from all the electronics, backlid panels, extra monitors (If
you are not using a projector) and your own body heat

The only reason why I want to have a canopy is not for aesthetic but for
"Sound proofing" myself when I talk over RW (because I share room).I dont
want to "premanently" sound proofing myself by suffercating myself from
within the cockpit. Turning the pit into a coffin :)

To make matter worse I live in a flat where I cant break any walls to put in
a ducted reverse cycle air cond... I have grills and bars on my windows to
keep out intruders so no way I can put in a wall/window mounted air cond. My
only hope would be a portable air conditioner or one of those evaporative
coolers...modify it and throw an inlet into the pit.

My second question would be, evaporative coolers, are they any effective in
cooling the inner space of the f16 pit? because the price of one of them is
like 1/10 of a portable air conditioner.

Would love to hear all of your thoughts :)

Albert
Sydney, bloody boiling in Austraila



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.419 / Virus Database: 235 - Release Date: 11/13/2002