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I'm using a DIY 1/8" coiled tubes in my helmet with dedicated coolbox feed (one for shirt and one for helmet) which works well but this looks to be an improvement.
Couple of questions- It's a bladder that disperses the water across the top of the head (not just though the tubes itself? The tubing is OD 1/4"?
The ends are 1/4" fittings so I assume the tubing is also 1/4". We have not actually received these yet but the prototype I saw at the PRI show was a thin piece of fabric that was totally cool - not just a few tubes running through it. I believe this is the same thing.
The user is responsible for getting double sided tape or velcro to attach it to the inside of their helmet for installation.
Linda or Clark, I'm assuming based on the design that the it supposed to be on the top of the head and run down to the back of the neck?
Is a 2nd cool box required or how would you use it with an existing unit with shirt?
From the link in the first post:
Instructions:
1) Insert Cool-A-Clava up into helmet. We recommend using double sided tape or Velcro to hold it in place. The Cool-A-Clava should be checked for comfort before using tape or Velcro to hold in place.
2) Once the Cool-A-Clava is in the helmet, place helmet on head just the way you normally would. Keep the hoses coming off of the product out of the way. You want the hoses to come out at the base of the helmet in the back of the head.
3) Once in the car, route the Cool-A-Clava hoses so that they do not interfere with any other safety equipment. The hoses will be routed down to your shirt. If using only the Cool-A-Clava you can route the hoses to your hose coming off of the cooler.
4) Plug the male fitting from the product into the female fitting of the hose coming from your cooler. Plug the female fitting from the product into one of the male fittings from your shirt. Plug the other male fitting from the shirt into the other female fitting on the hose coming from your cooler.
5) Turn the cooler on. It will pump the water through both the shirt and Cool-A-Clava.
Great idea, but... seems to me that this would indicate the shirt and helmet are plumbed in series, then? So, depending on how they're attached, either the shirt now gets warmer water, or the helmet/head will not get fully cold water?
I'd be more into a version with a tee fitting to split the water flow between helmet and shirt (not sure if a flow restrictor for balancing would be needed as well). I know that can't be hard to rig up with the right fittings, just... seems like a preferred method, if not as simple...
The ends are 1/4" fittings so I assume the tubing is also 1/4". We have not actually received these yet but the prototype I saw at the PRI show was a thin piece of fabric that was totally cool - not just a few tubes running through it. I believe this is the same thing
Does the manufacturer say anything about the effect of adding this to the flow through the shirt?
Great idea, but... seems to me that this would indicate the shirt and helmet are plumbed in series, then? So, depending on how they're attached, either the shirt now gets warmer water, or the helmet/head will not get fully cold water?
I'd be more into a version with a tee fitting to split the water flow between helmet and shirt (not sure if a flow restrictor for balancing would be needed as well). I know that can't be hard to rig up with the right fittings, just... seems like a preferred method, if not as simple...
Why? The pump output rate doesn't change so you get the same flow rate if they are hooked in parallel or series. The water is still going to be pretty cool going to the head after it goes through the shirt.
Hey guys, you all have some great questions here. We actually looked into doing a tee fitting instead of running this product in line and it wound up being too cumbersome. The issue with a tee fitting is that it adds another connection to worry about and some additional expense. If you really want to run both a shirt and Cool-A-Clava as separate garments then you can always use a Y-hose to do so. Our recommendation is to run both garments in a series with the cooler supplying the shirt first. This will give you the most bang for your buck. The temperature difference in the water before and after the shirt is minimal. It does depend on body type and temperature but we usually see a 3-5 degree difference. I don't think you will have any issues with the Cool-A-Clava not being cold enough for you. In our testing we have actually seen the opposite with people having to turn the pump down to keep from being too cold.
07-15-2016, 05:07 PM
Cool Shirt - COOL-A-CLAVA - NOW AVAILABLE!
