Crazy Compact Jr Question

[luptak]

Hi all,

Okay, after camping this past weekend for the first time in the Compact Jr, it occurred to me that the fridge is nothing but an ice box. Would it be heresy to turn the ol' fridge into a swamp cooler?

Think about it...drill two holes with a hole saw, put a small fan over one, fill the fridge with ice...and voila!...hillbilly air conditioning!

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Doug

[MRClaus]

to funny

[Bob Miller]

Hmmmm... About the only thing more Hill Billy would be if you filled your icebox with super frozen Budweiser, blew a fan over those, and then drink them as they thaw to help forget about the heat


But, if you are serious, that's not how swamp coolers work. They depend on, and will only work, where the humidity is lower than 50%. Basically all you would get is a cool breeze about 24" out and a lot of moisture inside your trailer.

[Kath]

I love my ice box....drilling holes and blowing air would only melt the ice faster....dry ice for longer trips works great!

[Bobbie Mayer]

Ice coolers do work- slightly. Not worth much, though. I don't recommend Dry Ice in an icebox in an enclosed trailer (should be safe enough in a Compact if the top is up). I did the math- a good chunk of Dry Ice subliming in the space of a trailer could reach toxic levels.

[Bill Nolen]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Hmmmm... About the only thing more Hill Billy would be if you filled your icebox with super frozen Budweiser, blew a fan over those, and then drink them as they thaw to help forget about the heat


But, if you are serious, that's not how swamp coolers work. They depend on, and will only work, where the humidity is lower than 50%. Basically all you would get is a cool breeze about 24" out and a lot of moisture inside your trailer.

It's most likely that most of you have never used a auto swamp cooler, have you? It was something that was sold in the 1940's long before A/C's in autos became common!

It was a round metal device that was placed in the front passenger's window with a open snout facing forward into the air stream. When a person wanted a blast of "cool" air they would pull a line that would rotate a straw-like mat into a water bath. The air would pass thru the straw-like mat, and into the auto.

As Bob wrote there was a little cool air and a lot of moisture. But, it was better than nothing in the 100 to 120 degree temps. when crossing Arizona in the middle of July! But, not a great deal better because the other windows in the auto had to be kept closed.



Bill

[Bob Miller]

Kar Kooler (one brand name) were in use well into the early 60's as is shown on the 1961(?) Corvair in the pic..

We had one on our 1951 Pontiac, with which we pulled a 12' Masonite sided trailer in about 1954.

About 10-12 years ago I bought one for $5 at a yard sale and, as they are very popular for restored air-cooled VW's, I resold it for $300 at a VW Show/Swap Meet.

Floor mounted swamp coolers were seen pre- WWII and I once had one that correct for a 1937 Packard restoration.

[Bill Nolen]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Kar Kooler (one brand name) were in use well into the early 60's as is shown on the 1961(?) Corvair in the pic..

We had one on our 1951 Pontiac, with which we pulled a 12' Masonite sided trailer in about 1954.

About 10-12 years ago I bought one for $5 at a yard sale and, as they are very popular for restored air-cooled VW's, I resold it for $300 at a VW Show/Swap Meet.

Floor mounted swamp coolers were seen pre- WWII and I once had one that correct for a 1937 Packard restoration.

Bob, your comment about a 12' Masonite sided trailer brought back some very old memories for me. In or about 1955 -1956 I bought a 12' Masonite sided trailer in Oklahoma City for $100, stripped out the insides, and used it at a rural Real Estate Office for a couple of years.

I still have the tiny sink and lower kitchen cabinet. They are installed today in my underground storm shelter.

Bill

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Bill Nolen

I still have the tiny sink and lower kitchen cabinet. They are installed today in my underground storm shelter. Bill

Now that's recycling