Those of use that have SA2000 helmets get to buy new ones next year. What do you guys think of helmets with a port for forced air?
Helmets with forced air
The Bell Vortex ones are supposed to be very nice. With that and a cool shirt it would be more comfortable than some cars I’ve owned.
Ranger wrote:
i like mine…stick with top forced air helmets, they will cool your head more efficiently…
BTW Ranger - buying a helmet with forced air is probably a bit too easy for you.
I’d suggest you start practicing on your current lid with a hole saw and some AC duct work!
:laugh:
Not to mention what effect the NACA duct will have on your aero balance.
dmwhite wrote:
[quote]Ranger wrote:
i like mine…stick with top forced air helmets, they will cool your head more efficiently…[/quote]
Unless you are on the tall side. I can’t do a top-fed helmet and clear the roof comfortably.
I have a Stand21 with a side-fed blower. Sometimes I use it, but sometimes it seems to dry my contacts out too much.
One thing to consider is that the blower increases the risk in a fire because it will pump smoke/fumes into your helmet. Of course, mine cuts off with the kill switch but the real trick would be to connect the blower motor to the fire suppression trigger. I imagine that if a fire struck, I would intuitively hit the bottle first, then the kill switch. Ranger, you’re just the man to design and execute that secondary cut-off.
PS - The Stand21 helmet was a Christmas splurge a couple years ago. I figure the lighter the helmet, the less neck strain. It is unbelievably comfortable and has removable pads for washing.
Steve D wrote:
i definitely dont have to worry about that…you do bring up a good point though and some of the new(er) bell top forced air helmets have the port further back on the helmet which gives them more clearance…
Steve D wrote:
[quote]dmwhite wrote:
That’s a good point. Anyone have anything nice to say about side-air models?
Ranger wrote:
I guess I left that part out. :laugh:
I like having the air, I just don’t always use it. Strange thing is it seems to bother my lenses on grid, but never on track.
I bought the cool suit/air blower combo. The air is piped through the cooler, but it is pointless because the loop is made of PVC, which is about as good at heat transfer as Robinson is at spreading good cheer.
I have toyed with the idea of replacing the +/-1" PVC piping with a manifold that would connect to several copper loops made from 1/4" tubing to circulate through the chilled water. That’s as far as it has gone though. I was afraid of being branded as another, well, Ranger.
In hindsight, I get more relief from having a Camelbak full of ice water with a 3" quick-disconnect hose in the front of my helmet. But the helmet blower definitely helps get some air circulating when the shield is down.
Can you send me a close up of that Camelbak quick disconnect? That sounds interesting.
Everyone here has a chance of being branded Ranger. Just be right behind me when Splitter #5 tears off. Brand is as good a word as any for the resulting scarring of your car and psyche.
The disconnect may sound more complicated than it is. Just take a standard camelbak tube, cut the tubing off about 3" from the end with the bite valve and insert a cool-shirt-type disconnect.
Drill the helmet hole 1/8" larger than the tube O.D. so you can slide the bite valve toward & away from your mouth.
Here are a couple shots: