TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Apr 15, 2025 11:37 am

Hey All,

I'm looking at all options for getting even a tiny bit of cool air inside my car.

I've seen the systems from Gilmore's. Expensive but I will be going this route when money allows.

For now, I'm curious about the variety of smaller options and how well the work. I'm seeing tons of 12-volt coolers, battery powered units, and even the coolers with ice inside and a small fan.

Has anyone tried any of them? Are they any better than just rolling down the windows?

I think my expectations are in the right place, I'm not looking for something that gives full A/C system performance, just something that blows a bit of cool air at me.

Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:00 pm

You are in LV? Dry air would make a window swamp cooler a practical alternative; though they, too, can be pricey.

The "swamp cooler in a styrofoam cooler/paint bucket plus fan" homebrews might work well, too. There are some threads here covering such designs:
https://www.google.com/search?q=thesamba.com+home+...s-wiz-serp

Even a sweatband dipped in water and a vent wing aimed at you can make a surprising difference.

Tue Apr 15, 2025 1:20 pm

KTPhil wrote: Even a sweatband dipped in water and a vent wing aimed at you can make a surprising difference.

Yes, I'm in LV and you are probably right about the sweatband!

Honestly, when it gets super hot out (over 100) I only drive the car for a few minutes each week just to keep things moving, but as I'm sure everyone is aware...these things get hot even in marginal temperatures and that's when I would love to have just a little air moving.

I've read about the coolers with ice. The ones with batteries to power the fans don't get good reviews. the power of the fan seems to make all the difference with those things.

Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:30 pm

I normally drive mine with the windows open, as I live in an area with high humidity. It would be nice to have some cool air flowing into the car when it rains though (the windows fog up with them closed keeping the rain out).

Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:21 pm

They work great as long as you are moving over like 30 mph. Had one sold it.