Kitfox AC :)

[SkyPirate]

I have tossed the idea around for awhile, and came up with this set up, it puts out 50 degree air, 2 small 12 volt fans so not allot of volume but you can definately tell the difference, its designed to stand up behind the seats, i need to put the base on so it can stand up, it has 5 3"x7"x1.5" blue ice packs inside, the air goes thru the box like a maze blowing up down and across each pack then exits the 2 flew hoses which come out at shoulder level to each seat

[SkyPirate]

Its got 3/4" walls filled with foam, an on off switch that is mounted on face above back of the seat

[SkyPirate]

I will weigh it here shortly

[SkyPirate]

The tubes actually face the other way, the door faces rear

[SkyPirate]

it weighs 13.2 lbs

[SkyPirate]

this side faces forward,,switch panel is on a 45 degree angle

[SkyPirate]

drawing shows basic operation

[DanB]

Very cool Chase! (sorry couldn't help it ) :)

[SkyPirate]

Lol Dan👍 im hoping it is!! 😎

[Paul Z]

Chase, you will need one if you move to Texas! Yesterday when I went to the airport my car thermometer read 107 Degrees, with very high humidity, it was over 115 in the hanger. Are you taking orders for the custom built Kitfox AC units? How long will it last before it's ineffective at 107 I would imagine less than an hour. However, at least you can get some flight time in.

I've been working on my plane, several of the guys have the mid size industrial fans in their hanger. However, Bill purchased a medium room AC that runs on 110. When he's working on his wiring in his plane he'd open the cargo door of his RV, puts the AC unit on a roll around cart, rolls it up to the cargo door and then climb in the plane close the canopy and worked in relative comfort. I got an AC put it on a cart and roll it around and put it behind me. By mid afternoon it is just stifling.

[SkyPirate]

Paul, surprizingly its been decent here the past few days, but Saturday its suppose to be back to normal temps 90's-100's, there is a car/airplane show at KUUV Sullivan MO , I will be giving it the test then, I have it connected to a small 12 volt battery so its not hooked to the aircraft system, the battery is 4 lbs of the 13.2 lbs total, i could run a cigarette light plug off of it but opted for a portable set up for now, I ran it for 2 hrs last night, it held the 50 degree outlet temp with ambient temp at 75

[Paul Z]

I need to build one! The pictures are great, and will be a big help.

I worked on my plane Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I was replacing hoses, changing oil, added water, and tweaking the carbs. I worked on my plane about 5 hours on Monday, and Tuesday quitting about 1:30 to avoid the heat. Yesterday I put in about 6 or 7 hours from 10:00 am to 4:00 balancing the carbs. When I started it was 99 degrees in the shade, but I was having to stand on the Tarmac to run the engine so I could tweaking the carbs. I got home physically exhausted and my right leg was throbbing with pain! It is obvious my knee is not ready to take that much abuse. I took 2 pain pills, and a muscle relaxer, and laid down. This heat definitely getting to me! Also, the Doctor was right I'll need to wean myself from the crutches. However, it is kind of hard to work on a plane and walk on crutches at the same time. I was planning on attending the Kitfox Factory Flyin. If I'm going to the Kitfox factory, I need to get out to the airport to finish up. I have to have it done by Saturday so I can go do a test flight, before leaving. However, I am having serious doubts that I'll be able to finish in time because of the heat, and because of my knee. Time will tell.

Again thanks for the photos, I plan on building one of you AC Units. I looked at some of the ice cooler types, but it's 20+ pounds of ice and a cooler full of water to contend with after the flight.

[RobS]

Your creativity never fails to amaze me. Nice work!

[Slyfox]

tell me Paul. is your knee able to be fixed, or is the doctor putting it off and not wanting to do it, or is it you not wanting to fix it. If it's you than just do it, you will be surprised at what can be done.

I hope to be at the kitfox flyin, already redoing the flight path because of tfr's. hope to see you there.

chase, that's a spiffy idea. I am blessed with morning temp right at 60 degrees so I just go fly in the morning :D. otherwise, I would build me one

one last note: for me it's 100 during the day and 60 at night, but if I go up over 500 ft off the ground the temps go up real fast, like 80. just do the kitfox thing and stay low. :D

[SkyPirate]

I hear you on the knees, i've had to wear braces since i cant remember when in the 70's i guess.. The fans i used are computer fans , i used a box brake but a finger brake would make things allot easier. I used .025 6061 so no need to subtract thickness when making the door panels , just make sure they are square :) when you inject the foam, in the door and substructure of the main box, pay mind to do one end, let it expand then come in from other end to finish

[SkyPirate]

Thanks Rob 👍😁 you should see my boat :) it has a built in trailer, the wheels and hitch retract, the state of MO wasnt sure how to title it due to no need for a seperate trailer, ended up titled as a boat but had to put running lights on it along with marine nav lights 😎

[Paul Z]

I try to avoid surgery because if a bleeding disorder. the Doctor told me 6 to 8 weeks for the bone to heal. He said I could be effected by it for upwards of 3 to 6 months, something about being older. He said older people don't heal as well from breaks. It been 6.5 weeks, so I've got another week and a half to make the 8 week window. I broke my finger and it took almost 2 years to stop hurting. I went to the Doctor on Monday, I told him it was greatly improved, that I had been pretty religious about using the crutches. He said he didn't think I needed to have surgery on the torn meniscus but he said it would depend on how I felt in a couple more weeks. However as bad as my knee hurts after standing on it for 3 days working on the plane I may be going back for another look see. I normally don't take pain pills. Whe I had my cancer surgery, I only took them the day after the surgery. I ended up taking two yesterday.

Today I went out and finished up a few things got there at 10 am it was a cool 89. I need to build one of those cooling boxes.

[RobS]

Chase - a trailer? I would have thought you would have figured a way to couple up the engine and steering so you could have just driven it home :)!

[SkyPirate]

I doubt the AC Box will cool the whole interior of the plane but the way its set up, cool air around your shoulders and head, it should make it more comfortable, i will report after Saturdays Flight,,

[SkyPirate]

Rob, then its considered amphibious, cost goes up on everything :)

[DesertFox4]

Tomorrow it's forecast to reach 114 degees here in Phoenix. Would be a good test for it Chase.;)

[SkyPirate]

Sheesh , yes it would be a good test at 114* Steve, at what humidity? :)
I have learned i need to put the blue ice packs in a zip lock bag, the humidity here makes them sweat, with no reservoir hopefully the zip lock bags catch the moisture

[RobS]

You've got that right Chase!

[DesertFox4]

Paul, sorry about your knee. Still hoping to see you at McCall but understand if it is a little too much for you just yet. Listen to your Doc. Got to get you 100 % for Oshkosh next year. We got lots of walking to do there.;)

[SkyPirate]

Fits ok, could lay it down with longer tubes

[DesertFox4]

I think yours is the first AC Kitfox Chase. :)

[Paul Z]

Chase - SkyPirate, you need to change your handle to R2D2. Looks good the question is does it work?

[SkyPirate]

Lol :) maybe :) im curious how well its going to work, might have to up the CFM with a 12 volt squirrel cage, although at 12" from the end of the outlet tube it will blow a bic lighters flame out, tomorrows mid day flight home should be a good test

[SkyPirate]

Steve , living in NH I never thought of AC flying my model 2 ( I was younger and just tok the doors off) living here in hells armpitt Mo, flying with the doors open is like flying thru an oven with wind, doors shut flying an oven :) so ... Got the creativity juices flowing, aside from a conventional AC set up which would require condensor , pump etc = allot of weight, this set up came to mind.. Anticipation is the end product at this time, mid day tomorrow with vents closed and ice box on... We will know then :)

[Paul Z]

Paul, sorry about your knee. Still hoping to see you at McCall but understand if it is a little too much for you just yet. Listen to your Doc. Got to get you 100 % for Oshkosh next year. We got lots of walking to do there.;)

Steve, Thanks for the well wishes.

I just got back from the airport, finally got my plane all together after having the Carbs rebuilt. I got all of the hoses changed, the oil changes, changed the spark plugs, the water/antifreeze changed, the carbs installed & balanced, and the prop pitched to obtain 5420 RPM static run up. When I finished everything I was going to take a test flight, but the OAT was 112 on the Advanced Flight Ststem, I'll try flying it tomorrow morning. Right now I'm sitting on the couch after a cold shower, had a cold lunch, and I've propped up my leg with an ice pack on the knee. Four hours of standing working with a crutch under one arm and 110 degrees at the airport is a Crap Out!

I definately want to make Oshkosh next year. Yesterday imy knee hurt so bad I was contemplating calling it off then. I'll mke the go or no go call for McCall on Monday, depending on how my leg feels.

[Paul Z]

Steve , living in NH I never thought of AC flying my model 2 ( I was younger and just tok the doors off) living here in hells armpitt Mo, flying with the doors open is like flying thru an oven with wind, doors shut flying an oven :) so ... Got the creativity juices flowing, aside from a conventional AC set up which would require condensor , pump etc = allot of weight, this set up came to mind.. Anticipation is the end product at this time, mid day tomorrow with vents closed and ice box on... We will know then :)

Flying with doors open is like flyin in a convection oven? Just take the OAT sensor stick it under your arm and see when your well done!

[SkyPirate]

Lol yup that about sums it ip Paul😎

[896tr]

"Flying with doors open is like flyin in a convection oven?"

I love it when people tell me it must be so nice riding my motorcycle (with full safety gear on) in that nice cool breeze when it's 112 degrees out. My reply to them is, "try driving 1 block with your windows down and have the heater on high, convection ovens cook with hot air!" Oh well, It only takes me an hour to ride home from work in that heat, 5 days a week! Gotta love Las Vegas!
Steve

[SkyPirate]

Ok the design is right, but the fans have to go , not enough volume, i found a 12 volt squirel cage fan , it should so the trick👍

[Micro Mong Bldr]

Hey 896tr, maybe you could try the ice cooler in a backpack on that bike! :)

[Paul Z]

Ok the design is right, but the fans have to go , not enough volume, i found a 12 volt squirel cage fan , it should so the trick👍

Well did you finally get all of the Bugs worked out?

[SkyPirate]

I ended up using an air matress inflator, plugs in to a cigarette light plug, did get some cool air, but i think ram air from an external vent for in the air would be better and the airmatress inflator for taxiing on those really hot days