Has anybody installed the portable canvas bag in their car? It's cheaper, and can be used in the paddacks, just another alternative. Thoughts?
Pics?
http://www.coolshirt.net/portable-bag-system.html

Cheaper? Looks to be the same price to me.

Well, you need to add the tray for the cooler, and that's like $70-80 more.

I made on myself for like $8 from metal from Lowe's....might not look at good, but it is just as functional.

How do you secure the bag system?

Just get the normal in-car tank, hardwire it in, and you'll be good to go.

The portable pouch won't last long enough, and its more bs to worry about in the car.

I made on myself for like $8 from metal from Lowe's....might not look at good, but it is just as functional.

How do you secure the bag system?

I'm not a very good engineer, but I can fabricate one if you have a pic of your tray, and some tips. I hope there is no welding needed.
Steve, I agree, that's what stopped me in the beginning from buying it.

Just get the normal in-car tank, hardwire it in, and you'll be good to go.

The portable pouch won't last long enough, and its more bs to worry about in the car.

BTW, I read guys are getting the power from the lighter, can I hook it up directly to the battery?

The lighter is 12v direct, so its not different really, but I would run a fuse/circuit breaker between. I'm pretty sure it does not draw many amps, so it should not be a big deal, just make sure all the connections are secure.

I had to install a coolsuit in an e30 m3 in the pitlane about 30 seconds before the race started (driver bought it at the track on a very hot day)...ratchet strap, a pocket knife, and a screw driver did the job in about 24 seconds lol Tapped into some red wire for power under the dash, bolted down the ground to somewhere metal, flipped the switch, ready to go.

The lighter is 12v direct, so its not different really, but I would run a fuse/circuit breaker between. I'm pretty sure it does not draw many amps, so it should not be a big deal, just make sure all the connections are secure.

I had to install a coolsuit in an e30 m3 in the pitlane about 30 seconds before the race started (driver bought it at the track on a very hot day)...ratchet strap, a pocket knife, and a screw driver did the job in about 24 seconds lol Tapped into some red wire for power under the dash, bolted down the ground to somewhere metal, flipped the switch, ready to go.
Great, how big of a fuse, 20-30? Where can I see you to do the same installation, but you'll have more time?:stickoutt:D

No need for the switch, right?

I just took a sheet of metal that was a bit larger than the footprint of the bottom. I cut out a square out of the 4 corners, then bent the sides up. Looks pretty much like the one on the cool suit website. I drilled 4 holes thru it and the trunk floor and bolted it to it. I had to cut some slits for the strap to go thru (that was the hardest part).

I have mine on a 20 amp circuit breaker with switch. I don't really see the need for the temp controller.

The trunk? I was thinking of the back seat.
I see, you made like a craddle. How thick the metal?

*shrug*...don't remember. Found a piece at Lowe's.

Very easy to install. Just be sure its secure, and easy to access.

The "temperature" controller is just a voltage regulator (pot) for the circulation pump. If you know someone who knows basic electronics, you can make a custom one for like $5, and make a clean install in your car...you could vene be extra slick and hook it upto an OEM BMW switch :)

BTW, great price on the cooler here:
http://www.bsrproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1842
They actually have great prices on everything, RH net
http://www.bsrproducts.com/product_info.php?cPath=16&products_id=1857

BTW, great price on the cooler here:
http://www.bsrproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=1842
They actually have great prices on everything, RH net
http://www.bsrproducts.com/product_info.php?cPath=16&products_id=1857


Read carefully, it's WITHOUT the shirt. I'm all about saving a buck where a buck can be saved. However, the shirt is a vital part of the setup:D

Also, make sure you get a shirt with Hans compatibility.;)

I would also recommend getting a nomex coolshirt instead of the cotton one. There are a few companies that offer them. I have a Stand21 and it works great. They are a bit more money, but the safety of Nomex is worth it.

Well, you need to add the tray for the cooler, and that's like $70-80 more.

If this is the product I'm thinking of, you won't be using a tray. You secure it in the passenger seat (possibly rear seat if wires/hoses are long enough) with the stock seatbelt and plug it into the cig lighter. This is definitely not intended for dedicated track car use.

I'm going to Barber this weekend and may buy one if the heat is just brutal. I figure with 30 min. run groups and the ability to use a/c on the grid I won't be needing one.

The tray is used for racecar applications where you can mount the track directly to the chassis, and use a strap through the strap holes built into the cooler. There is also a round version available, which I personally like better.

http://www.bsrproducts.com/images/SAF.CS.200.jpg

http://www.bsrproducts.com/images/SAF.CS.200MT.jpg

http://www.coolshirt.net/images/round-system-lg.jpg





Then there is also the freon-type based unit, but it has to be refilled after its emptied, pretty cool nonetheless.

http://www.coolshirt.net/images/port-a-cool-lg.jpg

The Portacool (freon can) is not worth it. I got it, and lasts 5 minutes the most, and you need to keep pressing the gas, one can lasted me around 1 hour.
I already got the cotton shirt (regular white Hanes with tubing), that I wear under or over my nomex shirt.
I got the rectangular cooler for my race car.
I think I can make a tray or similar to fit in the rear seat.
The heat oustide wasn't that bad, around 99, but inside the car with four layers of nomex, full face helmet was brutal, I lost around 10lbs+ over the weekend.

Regardless of how your core temp is controlled via the coolsuit, you still must stay very well hydrated.