dumb question

[26Troadster]

well i don't guess it's to dumb if you don't know. how do these a/c's work, do they just grab the air, are do you put ice in it to get cool air? i have never got to look at one up close.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

They are called swamp coolers, and they are a primitive air conditioning system. The user would hang the device in the window of his car, fill the tank with water and drive. The device catches air and directs the flow over the water reservoir and into the car interior. The flow causes water to evaporate which cools the air.

 

[TudorP15]

Its a swamp cooler

I have one for my 48 Plymouth.

You fill them with ice and water. they hang on the window and as you drive, they scoop air (like a ram air thing), air flows through them, over the ice and water, and out of the outlet into the car. There is a rope you pull that rotates a drum inside of it that soaks up the cold water that the air flows through. So, as you move down the road, cool moist air flows out of it, and when the drum dries, you just pull the cord to rotate it through the ice water again then more cool air comes out. Ya have to pull the cord every few minutes or so to keep the air cool coming out of it. They are kinda cool, old technology.. I love em..

 

[TudorP15]

I used to mess with people..

About mine. People would ask what it was, and I would tell them it was a JARB Unit (Jet Assist Rocket Booser), worked very similar to a JATO, but built for sluggish cars that needed an extra boost for passing. [cl

Also, ya didn't have to put ice in them, but it helped, but in most cases the ice would melt pretty fast anyway..

 

[dmw56]

They don't work very well in humid climates. In NM the majority of homes still use swamp coolers because of the very low humidity we have here.

 

[TudorP15]

Thats true

They dont do well in humid climates, because they don't "condition" the air (by removing moisture/humidity). Actually, just the oposite, they ADD moisture to the air by picking up the cool water in the cooler, and dumping it along with the air passing through it into the car. So, in humid climates, sometimes I can make it even more miserable. But, they are still a cool accessory to have on a vintage car, if for nothing else but the questions...

 

[R Pope]

Fondly(!) known as Swamp Witches, there were variations on the theme fitted to most tractor and combine cabs in the '60's and '70's. Most had a small pump to keep the element wet. The return line would plug with dirt, and every few minutes you'd get a face full of muddy water. Kept you awake!

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

works alot like the old style house water coolers. I remember being a kid and having to keep thise drenched withe the water hose every few hours

 

[26Troadster]

thanks fellas, i had seen them but never played with one. i know about the water units, as my brothers use them in their machine shop in south texas.