Dashboard Ventilation

Website the above photo is from: https://www.howacarworks.com/cooling-systems/checking-heater-and-ventilator-output

• In the above photo, you can see how the ventilation ducts are connected to the vent openings

Website the above photo is from: https://www.simple-car-answers.com/Gasoline-Smell-in-Car.html

• Generally, air comes in from the gap where the bottom of the windshield and top edge of the hood meets

• Air also comes in from the front bumper, but that’s generally used to cool the engine in a normal vehicle

• How ventilation works in vehicles:

*Basic, high level knowledge if you don’t know how ventilation works in a vehicle

https://drivetribe.com/p/how-car-heating-and-ventilation-MjhMvzo4TmCACCDYrKgCEw?iid=Ujk-t4SVRVCVN1Gq7C-5mg

• Car with no dash to reference where air is coming from

*Helpful to get an idea on which areas the air enters from behind the dashboard

https://www.billswebspace.com/BMWE30DashboardSwap.htm

• Air filters

*For if we consider using an air filter - Spoke to Renzo about this, and this is TBD, might not need air filter

*Air filters are used to prevent toxins from outside air from entering the vehicle cabin

Reference photos:

*To get an idea of what an “air filter” refers to

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/759928-secondary-cabin-air-filter?highlight=secondary+air+filter

How to change an air filter:

*May be helpful if we would like to add one to our design - gives us an idea on how and where to install it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-an-air-cabin-filter

• Highest pressure is at bumper:

*Air flows from high to low pressure, so you want to place your entering point at an area of high pressure

http://www.gcdataconcepts.com/carairflow.html  

• Using an aluminum air duct from Home Depot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iBLNUE2mJA&ab_channel=LATOMMYLA

• Using a PVC pipe to DIY a cold air intake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1F79Dj1sXE&ab_channel=ResCarAdventures

• Another PVC pipe DIY cold air intake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxcGctr4FOM&ab_channel=RachelRose

• Silicon hose DIY cold air intake:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsfL9M1pmIE&ab_channel=MiataMods

Reference website: https://www.eastsideventilation.ca/b/how-ducts-are-made#:~:text=Galvanized%20steel%20and%20aluminum%20are,an%20alternative%20to%20metal%20ductwork .

Summary of / key points from website above:

• Galvanized steel and aluminum - most common metals used to create ducts

  • Most metal duct manufacturers add fiberglass liners to insulate the duct and reduce air leaks

• Fiber glass on its own is an alternative to metal ductwork 

  • Lightweight and has built in heat and sound insulation

  • More expensive than metal though

• Plastic ducts are also used

  • Their flexibility is notable

Price comparison of different materials:

Google sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p60YIb5TGCI6koNWzts8Qk9SDey9gd1OiO1GJCeZ8gE/edit#gid=0

• The sheet has all of the details and specs about each material and where to purchase it as well

*I believe we’re going with the chip bag option

Reference website: https://www.howacarworks.com/basics/how-car-heating-and-ventilation-systems-work

Summary of / key points from website above:

• Air enters a large duct at the front of the car

  • It’s placed so that when the car is moving, the entry point is in a high pressure area and air is forced in → air moves to the heater (and gets warmed if required)

  • Another common entry point is through the grilles on top of the hood (i.e. the hood scoop (i think))

• Air enters the car interior through the foot wells and through vents on the dashboard

• There are slots at the bottom of the windshield to prevent the glass from misting

• At the rear, there are exit vents to the outside

  • They are in an area of low pressure

Preface: this is for aluminum ducts

• The material of aluminum ducts is “aluminum laminate”

• https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-in-x-25-ft-Flexible-Aluminum-Foil-Duct-AF325ULPHD/205755085 ← this is made of 3 ply aluminum laminate

• Tried looking up a place which sells it: https://www.allfoils.com/single-product/laminated-foil/ ← only found this, but they require a quote to purchase (seems like it’ll be expensive)

• Found that chip bags are made of aluminum laminate (it’s aluminum + polypropylene)

  • Good for keeping moisture out

Also found a DIY site which teaches you how to make laminated aluminum foil: https://www.instructables.com/Laminated-Aluminum-Foil-for-Flexible-Circuits-and-/ (aluminum foil + packing tape to make aluminum foil tear resistant)

^I think using chip bags would be the most feasible option