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A/C into the glove box?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Fubar1764, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

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    In the interest of having a small cooler in the car, has anyone diverted a/c air into the glovebox? I'm thinking diverting into the upper glovebox might be reasonably easy. Anyone who's torn apart the dash have any thoughts?
     
    #1 Fubar1764, Oct 25, 2012
  2. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    i don't think it will cool much and the texas sun hitting that black glove box lid will warm it right back up. you could just bring a small igloo...
     
    #2 69shovlhed, Oct 25, 2012
  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #3 fotomoto, Oct 25, 2012
  4. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    thats cool but its not worth buying a dodge over...
     
    #4 69shovlhed, Oct 25, 2012
    WE0H likes this.
  5. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

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    A lot of manufacturers have done it since it was introduced in the late 90s. Just wondering if anyone might have suggestions on how to do it with the Prius.
     
    #5 Fubar1764, Oct 25, 2012
  6. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Do some experimenting with thermoelectric coolers and see if you can come up with something with enough cooling capacity.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #6 WE0H, Oct 25, 2012
  7. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

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    The idea came to me because I used to rest a sealed drink in front of the a/c vents of my SC400. After about 30min, the drink would be cold. :) I think diverting half of the capacity of one of the front vents would be more than enough to turn the glovebox into an icebox.
     
    #7 Fubar1764, Oct 25, 2012
  8. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Try it ;) If it isn't quite enough cooling capacity you could take some Thinsulate material and insulate the glovebox.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #8 WE0H, Oct 25, 2012
  9. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

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    Hoping someone who has taken apart the dashboard may have some insight as to the feasibility.
     
    #9 Fubar1764, Oct 25, 2012
  10. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    The filter for the A/C is behind the lower glove box, you could somehow possibly take air from there?
     
    #10 Daves09prius, Oct 25, 2012
  11. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    That's the intake filter, not the exhaust. You'd be getting air at ambient temperature.

    The glove box fits quite tightly in the dash with all the HVAC ducting and what not... I'd first figure out how to insulate the box before venting it. After all, what's the use in cooling the box if it can't maintain its temperature?
     
    #11 maestro8, Nov 1, 2012
  12. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Maybe easier to fashion a box at the passenger side foot well that takes the cold air from the existing foot vent.
     
    #12 2009Prius, Nov 2, 2012
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The easy way to make a cool box in the Prius is to use the center armrest box as there are air ducts under the seats for the rear of the car. It would be simple to pipe the duct into the side of the box witch also would be easy to insulate and partition for a smaller area if required. Doing this could also double up as a warm box to keep the takeaway warm if the heater was turned on.
     
    #13 Britprius, Nov 2, 2012
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