Ok, here is my problem. We live in the South; Houston, Texas. My wife loves her champion escort sidecar (GL1500 Goldwing). It's always hot in the South. We want to ride more so we thought about buying a new goldwing with a Hannigan GL1800 sidecar w/air conditioning. Problem is the wife loves her 1997 escort. We have dressed our GL1500 with extra lights chrome, etc. It only has 43,000 miles and other than normal wear conditioning it runs and looks great with it's custom paint job (Now old) but still looks good. The new Goldwing 1800's look nice, but it would take me years to add the extra lights,chrome, etc. So here is the question, does anyone know of anyone who could add some sort of air conditioning to a champion escort sidecar and would the GL1500 pull the electrical load? I'd assume it would be mounted in the trunk. Any information or options would be appreciated. "I want to ride, she wants to ride and I want to keep her cool - "it better on me... for long rides to keep her cool, calm and collective. Rather than it's hot!
Originally written by Mikeray on 8/14/2007 11:32 AM
Ok, here is my problem. We live in the South; Houston, Texas. My wife loves her champion escort sidecar (GL1500 Goldwing). It's always hot in the South. We want to ride more so we thought about buying a new goldwing with a Hannigan GL1800 sidecar w/air conditioning. Problem is the wife loves her 1997 escort. We have dressed our GL1500 with extra lights chrome, etc. It only has 43,000 miles and other than normal wear conditioning it runs and looks great with it's custom paint job (Now old) but still looks good. The new Goldwing 1800's look nice, but it would take me years to add the extra lights,chrome, etc. So here is the question, does anyone know of anyone who could add some sort of air conditioning to a champion escort sidecar and would the GL1500 pull the electrical load? I'd assume it would be mounted in the trunk. Any information or options would be appreciated. "I want to ride, she wants to ride and I want to keep her cool - "it better on me... for long rides to keep her cool, calm and collective. Rather than it's hot!
I believe that "air conditioner" is actually a swamp cooler. You addcold water or ice and a fan blows over it. It should work in any sidecar. I don't know if they sell their unit separately, but maybe a small camper unit, or one of the reproduction Thermador units would work for you. Maybe fit it between the bike and sidecar.
http://www.classicaire.com/
Yep, Mike's right (usually is...) about the Hannigan unit being a swamp cooler. I too live in Houston and have a GL1800 with the Hannigan GT, though I do not have the "cooler" on mine. Don't think the thing would do much good here in all this humidity... However, I have been thinking about adding some type of "air conditioning" to mine. I work in the engineering world so have lots of help (?). So far, I/we are leaning towards something like a compressor from a commercial refridgerator or freezer and adding a small car battery between the bike and the chair. Not into detail design yet, but still working out the system concept; sizing condensor coils, evaporator coils, fans, power requirements vs. expected temp. differential, etc. Since the sidecar is pretty small volume-wise, it might be do-able... who knows? Drop me a line and we'll keep in touch if you are interested.
Originally written by RocketMan on 8/15/2007 11:36 AM
Yep, Mike's right (usually is...) about the Hannigan unit being a swamp cooler.
So far, I/we are leaning towards something like a compressor from a commercial refridgerator or freezer and adding a small car battery between the bike and the chair. Not into detail design yet, but still working out the system concept; sizing condensor coils, evaporator coils, fans, power requirements vs. expected temp. differential, etc. Since the sidecar is pretty small volume-wise, it might be do-able... who knows? Drop me a line and we'll keep in touch if you are interested.
We also have a Hannigan GTL on a Wing. When it get hots, Connie uses a cool vest and turns the 3 speed fan on high. This helps quite a bit, but certainly isn't air conditioning.Also, the humidity is lower where we live.
We also did not get the "air conditioning unit", but I am pretty sure they would sell it separtely ( I beleive asked them that).
I would definitely be interested in a real unit though.
I will send you a direct e mail as well
Greg
Here's a idea that needs to get thrown around, why not do it like NASA does and use small dia tube that's routed around the body that is hooked to a pump and circulates cold water, a ice chest with ice and water with a windshield washer pump would do it, just an idea.
man, you guys are getting spoiled.
SC's with air conditioning, glass roofs, removeable "T" tops, roll down windows, stereo, ash trays?, GPS, ETC.
when it gets to that point, just take the car!
whatever happened to the riders and passengers who enjoyed the open air, fresh breezes,changes in temps, a little rain now and then. adventure... thats what its about!!
My wife [and I]looks at those SC's and says.."no way! I might as well just drive my car".
sure, you live in a warm climate...accept it, or move.
or get an open air SC and enjoy the breezes and smells going past on the highways and byways.
Bob, Maybe I could sell you a gas tank air conditioner though.
Regds,
Jim
thar would be an easy sale! :o)
Sounds like a 3 wheel cage.
I too have a Champion Escort attached to a GL 1800. There is a company called KoolerAire who offers a very simple unit. Check out their web site. I just got one but haven't tested it.
Glenn
the unit we use on Hannigan sidecars is not a swamp cooler,but a set of coils with chilled water running through them and a three speed fan circulating the air. a swamp cooler would add humidity as noted and would not work as well.
Originally written by Haystack on 8/16/2007 5:46 PM
I too have a Champion Escort attached to a GL 1800. There is a company called KoolerAire who offers a very simple unit. Check out their web site. I just got one but haven't tested it.
Glenn
I'm curious to hear how you like it. I thought about one of them for my tent but have not heard much favorable about them.
Originally written by vs1100star2002 on 8/16/2007 9:04 PM
the unit we use on Hannigan sidecars is not a swamp cooler,but a set of coils with chilled water running through them and a three speed fan circulating the air. a swamp cooler would add humidity as noted and would not work as well.
Thanks for responding. Do you guys sell it separately?
yes,call the shop for price.(270)753-4256
In Greece my personal air conditioning was the public well in each village:
Empty the boots and fill them with fresh water..... Obviously I had to notice that 4 weeks after getting into that climate....In Turkey I lost quite a few pounds of sweat (and diarea).
Electrical freon gas AC in a sidecar would kill the battery and alternator.
Driven by a chain or other power take off would work... But who would like to sit in a hermetically closed sidecar with damp windows?
An evaporation system as in the 30ties would make good efford! Rememer that the temperature drop of evaporating water is pretty much 5ºC together with the driveing wind (or fan at stop 'n go in town) it would help your wife to feel confortable. It is compatible with your battery, fresh air, gas consume and environment.
Just my two cent.
Myself I think of AC for my overheating Jawa engine by spraying water onto the cylinders when I climb the steep costarrican mountains. But I fear to make more damage.
Sven Peter
