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New window heating solution for the TWIKE in planning
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Written on: 25 November 2008 [23:24]
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childress
Administrator
registered since: 14.08.2007
Posts: 140
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Phil -- I've run 433 year-round last year, and the only time it gets really bad is during a torrential downpour -- fogging during non-rainy operation is just fine, and as long as you don't pedal so you're breathing hard during the really cold days so it doesn't fog up from your breath! That being said, once it does start to happen, it's a huge pain! I would recomend blocking off (or deflecting up) the lower vents on the hair dryers. I think that would make a huge improvement on my setup (still haven't done it yet). Commute suck? Twike it; You'll like it!
http://www.uiuc.edu/goto/twike |
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Written on: 04 December 2008 [09:04]
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webfootguy
registered since: 22.07.2008
Posts: 9
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ecoadmin wrote: Hi Phil, interesting solution...I was trying to find what exactly a 'pelter' is but was unsuccessful. Could you explain it to me? That would be great, thanks. Sorry, mistyped. it's "Peltier". It is a electronic device that is highly efficient at generating heat on one side and cool on the other. Sometimes you will see it used to cool computer CPU's. We use very large ones on a product where I work so I can get a prototype for free (from a decommissioned unit)  The reason the current solutions are poor at best is that moisture condensing on the inside can best be removed by hitting it with "dry" air, not just moist hot air. That is what a car with an Air Conditioner does (it lowers the humidity by cooling the air below the dew point). So in a nut shell here is my idea which I will build a prototype shortly. Attach a large peltier device to 2 large heat sinks (probably 8 inches by 10 inches). Construct a lightweight box around the heat sinks that allows air to enter on one side of the heat sink (the cold side) and loops the air around to the other side (the hot side) where travels over the heatsink to recover the heat. If properly setup, the cold side will be below the dew point so water will condense on the heat sink (which must be removed by a small hose out the bottom of the vehicle). The air exiting will be lower in humidity and thus suck moisture right off the windshield. Air flow rates, current through the peltier to achieve dew point operation, etc will have to be experimented with but I believe a small unit could be made quite cheaply that would work well.--phil |
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Written on: 07 December 2008 [16:06]
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Franko30
Administrator
registered since: 08.09.2007
Posts: 88
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webfootguy wrote: Sorry, mistyped. it's "Peltier". (...) The air exiting will be lower in humidity and thus suck moisture right off the windshield. Hi Phil, veeery interesting. I never thought of using peltier elements for that. But your "put it in a box" solution makes sense. Still you would need a ventilation system on your box to suck in the damp air and distribute the dry air across the inside of windshield - right? Cheers Franko30 Mitsubishi i-MiEV + Citysax 002, davor/formerly Twike 808 and 891
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Written on: 25 December 2008 [21:09]
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insight
 registered since: 26.04.2008
Posts: 34
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Those portable 12 volt cooler boxes work on this principle,some reverse the process to heat the interiors for keeping food hot. |
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Written on: 07 March 2009 [19:30]
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ecoadmin
Administrator
Topic creator
registered since: 20.07.2007
Posts: 585
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Hi all, I've been using the new window heating solution in my new TWIKE for a few days now. The last few days were ideal to test the new installation as it was very wet. From heavy rain, sleet, snow and foggy conditions...all was there. The new solution works with powerful fans, blowing air onto the windshields. Optionally the air can be warmed to improve the effect. For most situations it is sufficient to just use the blower witout the heat. It also uses much less energy. Turning on the warm air via the center pedestal control panel draws approx. 3A from the batteries. The warm air function is automatically turned off after 1 minute. The heat level can be adjusted with a stepless turning knob located on the center pedestal. Thats alo where you can find the switch to turn on the blower. Summary: The new solution keeps your front window clean even if the weather is really bad. Using only the blower, the power consumption is minimal. On the side of the big canopy the blower is not able to clear the windows properly. But that should be possible to adjust by directing more air to the side. The air heater function is not as strong as you would expect and it does use quite a bit of juice. I will post a few pictures as soon as I get access to my stuff again (I am currently moving, and my belongings are in storage)... Cheers Stefan Twike 890
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Written on: 24 March 2009 [11:52]
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Franko30
Administrator
registered since: 08.09.2007
Posts: 88
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ecoadmin wrote: I will post a few pictures as soon as I get access to my stuff again (I am currently moving, and my belongings are in storage)... Hi Stefan, I'd really like to see some pictures - and I'd also like to know how much energy (in Ampère) the blowers use when just circulating cold air? BTW: "Circulating" is the problem - as is the the water dripping into the Twike from several points when it's raining. Lately, the best solution for me was to take the (wet) floormats in over night and thus eliminatng the main reason for humid air in the Twike. Doing this, the old standard "hairblower" defroster solution is adequate. Cheers Frank Mitsubishi i-MiEV + Citysax 002, davor/formerly Twike 808 and 891
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Written on: 24 March 2009 [21:03]
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ecoadmin
Administrator
Topic creator
registered since: 20.07.2007
Posts: 585
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I will shot some pics tomorrow. They are overdue... Regards, Stefan NB: Congrats to TW891! Is it a red one again? Twike 890
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