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How to maximise cooling effectiveness on hot day???

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ozboy, Oct 27, 2009.

  1. ozboy

    ozboy New Member

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    Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you have a solar roof panel, it is better to park it in direct sunlight than in the shade, on a hot day???
     
    #1 ozboy, Oct 27, 2009
  2. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I would think it is still better to park out of the sun. If you stop the surfaces heating up then you don't need to try to remove the heat with a fan. It is also better for your paint and upholstery.
     
    #2 patsparks, Oct 27, 2009
  3. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I would agree with Pat. It would be best to avoid the sun where possible. More than just keep the car cooler, it would reduce UV wear.

    Failing that, it's best to have uninterrupted sunlight on the solar panels. If you haven't yet, park your car in the sunlight and turn on the A/C. Use your hand to shade any part of the solar panel and watch the A/C shut off. It's easier to observe if you tape a piece of tissue paper to the vent. You will find that any interference with the panel shuts off the A/C.

    For this reason you are correct. Parking in direct sunlight is the best way. Personally, I would also crack the windows a bit.
     
    #3 TonyPSchaefer, Oct 27, 2009
  4. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    I agree. It is better to keep the car out of the sun and keep it cool naturally, rather than relying on the solar cooling system.
     
    #4 GreenGuy33, Oct 27, 2009
  5. Jayhawker

    Jayhawker New Member

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    You definitely want to park in the shade. The temp of a parking lot here in the summer can reach 140 + degrees. I am wondering if it's pulling that hot air through the car to cool it???

    I am very lucky to have a parking garage here at work.
     
    #5 Jayhawker, Oct 27, 2009
  6. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    Yes, from what I have seen, it just moves the hot air around. It doesn't provide any actual "air conditioning".
     
    #6 GreenGuy33, Oct 27, 2009
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It vents out the hot air so that it doesn't build up inside the car.

    OZ, I'd park in the shade if you have the option. It'll reduce the wear on your interior due to the UV and other sun effects.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Oct 27, 2009
  8. xbdude

    xbdude opticat

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    Park in the shade and get the bird crap, sap, leaves, caterpillars, and all the nasty stuff that can fall from trees (I'm in Florida and there IS nasty stuff that falls from trees). Or park in the sun and let the UV deteriorate the rubber, plastic, and paint. Ah, what difference does it make in the end? We're probably all going to trade our 2010s in for a plug-in in a few years anyway!
     
    #8 xbdude, Oct 27, 2009
  9. Manolo1

    Manolo1 New Member

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    All official temps are shade temps so in a 90 degree day your car will be 90 degrees inside if left in the shade, and probably just 110 in the sun (other non-sun-roof cars will be 120+) ...
    so shade is always your best bet! :mod: :cool:
     
    #9 Manolo1, Oct 28, 2009
  10. paulemus

    paulemus New Member

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    I believe solar panels, at least the one's on my house, still generate voltage in the shade.
    Here's a little trick if you want to leave your dog in the car: Leave the car vehicle power on, lights off, air conditioning running. Roll down driver's window. Get out and close door. Reach in and lock locks. Flip the window switch to roll up while quickly removing your arm. The vehicle is locked and A/C is running on battery most of the time. Then use your hard key slid out from key fob to open the door when you want to get back in.
     
    #10 paulemus, Jan 7, 2010
  11. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    At a Chicago Prius Group meeting, we were all stunned when we found that placing your hand on the solar array shut the entire thing off. It's as though they are all wired in series such that when one stops producing electricity they all stop.

    Please note that I'm only talking about the Prius panels here; I'm not addressing any other PV technology.
     
    #11 TonyPSchaefer, Jan 7, 2010
  12. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    That's great, but I bet it is just a matter of time (and not much time) before someone sees your dog in a closed car with the windows shut and no motor running and you come back to a bashed in window and a starring role on Animal Police on the Animal Planet Channel.

    Cute parlor trick, but doesn't sound too practical to me. Besides, Henry (my Field Spaniel) would be so angry at being left behind he probably would never speak to me again.
     
    #12 Joe166, Jan 7, 2010
  13. AussieDave

    AussieDave New Member

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    In Oz we get the solar panels with the moonroof. I have gotten in the habit of leaving the moonroof open to the first stop and the heated air rises out through it.

    Then approaching the car I hit the remote aircon to get that last bit of cooling if it is really hot.

    If I have had to park in the sun then the combination of moonroof and solar powered fan really does quite a good job.

    David
     
    #13 AussieDave, Jan 8, 2010
  14. ozboy

    ozboy New Member

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    :p:p:p
    Very clever!!
     
    #14 ozboy, Jan 8, 2010
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