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I would love some louvers

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Godiva, Jul 23, 2006.

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  1. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I had rear window louvers on my first car, a Ford Pinto hatchback. (The model after they fixed the gas tank thing.)

    I could forgive the look by how much they cut down the heat.

    I liked them so much I also bought them for my Nissan 200sx hatchback.

    I really want some for my Prius. I just don't think window tint can do the job of louvers. I don't think they'll impact the mpg that much. My car is black and I don't think black louvers will look that bad.

    If only they made them.

    I don't suppose there will ever be enough demand to actually manufacture them.

    Can anyone think of any existing car that has a rear hatch close enough to mod to fit? Then I'd at least know which make and model to look for.
     
    #1 Godiva, Jul 23, 2006
  2. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    It would be a good look for a black car. I could never live with the MPG hit but I sure others could.
     
    #2 hdrygas, Jul 23, 2006
  3. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    I was thinking about posting about this very same thing. I just seen those on a car today and was wondering how well that would work on a Prius. I would think they would not hurt the MPG that much if they hugged the contour of the hatch.
     
    #3 TheForce, Jul 23, 2006
  4. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Having had them on two different hatchbacks I can speak to the performance issue. For those of us in sunny, warm areas, the option of having a louver would be priceless. There is a noticeable difference in temperature with one. I mean probably in the 10-20 degree range. I'm guessing those in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas would willing take the mpg hit. I know I would.

    So...putting it out there. If anyone can think of a decent Mod, I'm ready to try it.
     
    #4 Godiva, Jul 23, 2006
  5. Begreen

    Begreen Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 23 2006, 08:31 PM) [snapback]291252[/snapback]</div>
    I put them on a 1981 Honda Accord hatchback. They didn't look that great, but made quite a difference in heat gain. I didn't notice any mileage hit with them installed on that car.
     
    #5 Begreen, Jul 23, 2006
  6. Cheap!

    Cheap! New Member

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    Hey that is a great idea! I would love a set of those. I don't think it would take much of a aerodynamic hit at all, but what about the rear wiper?
     
    #6 Cheap!, Jul 23, 2006
  7. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jul 23 2006, 10:45 PM) [snapback]291258[/snapback]</div>
    Either you find some that float over the window and allow the wipe to move or you don't use the rear wiper.

    I'm willing to forego the wiper if I can find some louvers. With the louvers I probably wouldn't use it that much anyway. As it is I don't use it that much. And it doesn't interfere with rear window defrost. In anything, you don't need it as much because the louvers get the dew/condensation.
     
    #7 Godiva, Jul 24, 2006
  8. marjam

    marjam Member

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    Just think, what if those louvers were small solar panels! Now, there's a mod!
     
    #8 marjam, Jul 24, 2006
  9. c4

    c4 Active Member

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    What about a set of fitted black mini-blinds that go on the *inside* of the window?? When the vanes are adjusted to horizontal, they'd basically have the same effect as louvers.. Failing that, if you're any good at CAD, draw out a set and got to a vacuum former shop and have them make one for you- single prototype will likely cost about $500.. Once they have the form, subsequent parts are very cheap (basically cost of material plus labour to operate the machine).
     
    #9 c4, Jul 24, 2006
  10. BT Tech

    BT Tech New Member

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    Mary, I would seriously look at some high rejection window film to cut down on the heat. I have the same issue here in South Florida and after applying my tint, I can honestly say that the car is MUCH MUCH cooler inside!!

    I chose to go with a type of tint that has slight reflective properties to it and it is still legal and makes the car really look nice.

    To retrofit louvers for the Prius would never look right IMO.



    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 23 2006, 10:59 PM) [snapback]291234[/snapback]</div>
     
    #10 BT Tech, Jul 24, 2006
  11. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(c4 @ Jul 24 2006, 08:20 AM) [snapback]291410[/snapback]</div>
    My father was able to get those for his 1964 Plymouth Fury (aftermarket). They worked very well. My last car was a Ford Probe and you could get louvers, but only if you didn't have the rear wiper.

    I wouldn't mind louvers, but maybe I'll look into tinting instead.
     
    #11 aaf709, Jul 24, 2006
  12. ServoScanMan

    ServoScanMan Member

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    I like the idea. Whose going to start manufacturing them? :D
    You can at least use the Solar Panel idea to power up the block heater. B)
     
    #12 ServoScanMan, Jul 24, 2006
  13. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

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    I would go for anything after the heat of the last few days! I especially like to solar powered idea...the solar power could be used to run fans to increase the back seat air circ.....
     
    #13 Salsawonder, Jul 24, 2006
  14. bernzx

    bernzx New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BT Tech @ Jul 24 2006, 12:13 PM) [snapback]291458[/snapback]</div>
    Hi Brian, What make of window tint did you use on yor rear window?
    bernie
     
    #14 bernzx, Jul 25, 2006
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I would invest in a tint film for the rear window. If you don't want to risk damaging the heater wires or want something reversible, try a rear sunshade from www.autoshades.com They have both manual (e.g. Camry XLE) and power rear sunshade (e.g. Avalon/ES). I would imagine a power rear sunshade is more convenient. Heck, make it lower automatically when you shift in reverse like some luxury cars if you can tap the wires (probably reverse lights are best).

    Otherwise, try a Saab 900. The window might be a tad bigger than the Prius but it's the closest I can think of.
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Jul 25, 2006
  16. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i had tint put on my windows and while i only put up with the heat for a couple of months without, the tint does help keep things cooler from what i recall of last year.
     
    #16 galaxee, Jul 25, 2006
  17. kennmartin

    kennmartin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 24 2006, 12:00 AM) [snapback]291266[/snapback]</div>
    A much better option is the Huper Optik films. More expensive than traditional window films, but MUCH better on heat reduction.
     
    #17 kennmartin, Jul 26, 2006
  18. NuShrike

    NuShrike Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KennMartin @ Jul 25 2006, 09:00 PM) [snapback]292401[/snapback]</div>
    So summary, any ceramic tint/film because it has the best non-metallic heat absorption of any tint.

    Link for Huper is http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm. There's also a Fomula One brand ceramic tint.
     
    #18 NuShrike, Jul 26, 2006
  19. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(c4 @ Jul 24 2006, 08:20 AM) [snapback]291410[/snapback]</div>
    That's not nearly as useful, because the heat will be trapped within the car. Most auto glass makes it harder for infrared (heat) to escape than enter. So having the heat dumped by an interior shade won't do any good. You have to stop the heat outside the window.

    I almost didn't recognize Galaxee...a new photo with some North Carolina snow. Didn't know they got any.
     
    #19 auricchio, Jul 26, 2006
  20. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    I really want some Louvers too. I think I will stop on the way home and measuer the window on Ford Mustang to see if it is anywhere close to size of Prius. If not, I may set up a metal shop to build one.
     

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    #20 NoMoShocks, Mar 29, 2007
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