Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

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fatsportpilot
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Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:23 pm

Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by fatsportpilot »

A couple days ago I was doing pattern work for two hours to practice handling lots of thermals and it was 105F outside. I keep hearing of these air conditioners that don't use a compressor but blow air through an icebox that lasts a few hours and weighs 20 to 40 pounds. Does anyone have experience with these and are they worth it? Do they really last hours in that little greenhouse we call a bubble canopy?

The "FlyCool" air conditioner is the only other AC I hear of but it's a real air conditioner and there's no way the already overloaded 250W Rotax generator could power it (and I haven't the external alternator) so all I can think of is the icebox AC. I'd love to see one with an engine-powered compressor for Rotax taking the place above the gearbox where the external alternator would be but I never heard of such a thing.
HAPPYDAN
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Re: Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by HAPPYDAN »

If this is what we used from my Army days, then, yes, it does work, sort of. It consisted of a cheap Styrofoam cooler, several (more is better) 1/2 liter frozen water bottles (or Mason jars filled with ice), and a cheap battery-operated fan from the Five and Dime. Cut a 3 or 4 inch hole about 2 inches up from the bottom (to allow for condensation). Cut a hole on top large enough to accommodate the fan. Duct tape fan so it blows downward through the top hole. Place frozen bottles in the cooler and put the top on. Turn on the fan, and enjoy the cool-ish breeze. If you choose to use plain ice, it will increase humidity. With the bottles, it will actually remove humidity, sort of. It worked inside our radio vans, but I don't know about an airplane cockpit. Good Luck!
ryoder
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Re: Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by ryoder »

Yep. I have purchased two. Bekool and Icybreeze and I like the Icybreeze more. Helps a lot. Takes the edge off.
fatsportpilot
Posts: 226
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:23 pm

Re: Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by fatsportpilot »

ryoder wrote:Yep. I have purchased two. Bekool and Icybreeze and I like the Icybreeze more. Helps a lot. Takes the edge off.
They look good but the dry weight is really high. A bit much for an LSA. Icybreeze is 16 lbs dry.
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dstclair
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Re: Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by dstclair »

I’m out of the LSA world now but use a Switchbox Icebox in my current plane. Remote control and comes with its own battery or can run off ships power (or both since it has a switch). It uses a heat exchanger and a full load of ice lasts for 90 mins or so. The battery lasts at least that long as well. I don’t use ships power since the Icebox has peak draw of 5A and my power plugs are 3.5A. Works exceptionally well in my Cirrus. Weighs about 45lbs with all the hardware and full load of ice. Should easily fit in back of a Sting S4 or CT. Could fit in copilot seat of some LSAs.
dave
ryoder
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Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:02 pm

Re: Are icebox "air conditioners" worth it?

Post by ryoder »

fatsportpilot wrote:
ryoder wrote:Yep. I have purchased two. Bekool and Icybreeze and I like the Icybreeze more. Helps a lot. Takes the edge off.
They look good but the dry weight is really high. A bit much for an LSA. Icybreeze is 16 lbs dry.
True, I bought this for my Mooney.
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