1 (edited by Lemon_Newton-Metre 2022-07-30 05:26 PM)

Topic: *cooling vest*

[header snip: Anyone willing to let me test a cooling vest at NJMP?]

I bought an auction lot of several cooling vests, and posted about them earlier here (that's the discussion of the relative benefits of seat coolers, cooling vests outside the racing suit, and coolshirts inside the suits - really good information(!) ).

My build won't be anywhere near finished, but I'd like to test the function of the vests. I'll be a spectator at NJMP.

If anyone would let me connect to a CoolShirt system for a short time, please let me know (unless the length of tubing in the vests would take to much cooling liquid from your system - man, that's a lot of tubing in these vests).

These are unused (and presumably clean tubes), in original shipping bags, milspec, velcro strap, special "Gibson & Barnes" connector (I'll have CoolShirt 5/16" connectors on them by that time) vests:

https://i.postimg.cc/W3RRct2b/20211011-123909.jpg

Re: *cooling vest*

Sure.  We will be in the center garages.

Chris from 3 Pedal Mafia

Re: *cooling vest*

What kind of material is that?  I would not put that on or in a racecar if it is not 100% cotton or aramid fabric.  You really don't want something melting on you in a fire situation.

Team whatever_racecar #745 Volvo wagon

Re: *cooling vest*

Sonic wrote:

Sure.  We will be in the center garages.

Thanks!

Re: *cooling vest*

rb92673 wrote:

What kind of material is that?  I would not put that on or in a racecar if it is not 100% cotton or aramid fabric.  You really don't want something melting on you in a fire situation.

Understood. The company doesn't have information on the specific item anymore.

This is milspec. But that doesn't mean fire resistant, necessarily.

I can experiment here at home.

I have a torch

6 (edited by Lemon_Newton-Metre 2022-07-30 05:21 PM)

Re: *cooling vest*

Well, crap. Turns out the connecting hoses are not 5/16" hoses; and, since I didn't take the time to measure before ordering, and I only just received the connectors (life got in the way), here I am.

The original vest connector had:

5/16

molded into the plug where the hoses went in; but it seems that was O.D., not I.D. The I.D. is 3/16, and I can get an indicated 1/4" connector to start into the tube. The 3/16" connector goes in no problem, but I think would need a hose clamp to stay connected.

Having said that, I did have the time to test reaction to heat.

I first used matches against the vest fabric.

3 matches held for ~5 sec. each, against each of 3 different sections (hot fingers) :

1. the edge of the strap (velcro on the back),
2. held against the main body of the vest,
3. the edge of the trim.

This is the result:

https://i.postimg.cc/wMhsyWxv/20220730-173126.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/52PQCQJw/20220730-173211.jpg

Since there wasn't a lot of change from that heat, I fired up the MAPP° torch.

This is the result, 2.5 sec. of the yellow flame, just against the main body of the vest:

https://i.postimg.cc/MZ4syX6J/20220730-181930.jpg

I don't know if that makes them FR, or just hard to melt or burn, but that's the result.

Thoughts?

Re: *cooling vest*

My cool vest is a freezer bag that is about 1/2" thick of ice. I strap in and put it inside my suit...works well

"get up and get your grandma outta here"

Re: *cooling vest*

Yes, I saw that in the other 'cooling' thread referenced above, and made note of it; I'm sure that can be a great, inexpensive solution.

But I already bought these, they cover the back as well, and - to a degree - conform to the body.

I can no longer resist noting that: thin plastic bags filled with ice or water are contraindicated in the instance of a driver presenting with nipple rings or studs.

(Phew! Glad to let that out)