D.I.Y. helmet cooling pads

[evilducky 00]

DIY Helmet Cooling Pads

These pads work based on water evaporation

Materials needed:

Water absorbing polymer beads
Note: The following polymers are considered safe for human use, however skin irritation may occur in some people. Do not use if you have sensitive skin. In case of reaction wash with warm water and soap and discontinue use.

DO NOT dispose of any beads in the drain unless you want to call a plumber.

Sodium polyacrylate (gel beads used in diapers) At Michale's as for water absorbing vase beads


HMIS Ratings: Health: 1 Fire: 0 Reactivity: 0

Crosslinked polyacrylamide (Soil Moist available at lowes and home depot)

HMIS Ratings: Health: 1 Fire: 0 Reactivity: 1

HMISHazard Scale: 0 = Minimal 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = Serious 4 = Severe

I'm using a sodium polyacrylate surplus from lab.


Lightweight cotton fabric pre-wash to prevent bleeding
(Bandanas work great for helmet and arm pads)

Sewing needles or sewing machine

Thread

Funnel

Velcro


First figure out how much the beads will expand.

Take 1 teaspoon place in plastic cup add water let sit for half hour for total expansion

* 1 tsp of my beads(green container) expanded to about a cup.

Next make the patterns for the piece and trace it on the fabric then cut out. I'm using a circle for my helmet to get the size right I used a hat as reference.

Sew the fabric together make sure there are no gaps. Leave an opening big enough for the funnel. Turn inside out. It will resemble an unfilled bean bag.

Stitch the Velcro on top of the pad. The sticky Velcro will not stay attached to pad but can be used inside the helmet.

Fill your pad with the beads ( 1/3-1/2 tsp. should do for helmet sized pads) and sew the opening shut.

If you use too much the pad is bulky and uncomfortable cut open a few stitches and remove excess.

Let the pad soak in water for 7-10 min (each polymer beads time vary for full saturation)


Attach to helmet cooling last 1-4 hours depending on size of cooling pad and temperature. If it dries soak it in water again. You can also freeze the pad for extra cooling.

I used more beads then needed just to show effect



Same idea can be used to make a cooling vest for the under suit. Roughly a 2 cups of polymer beads should be enough for full vest. Build compartments or all the beads will settle at bottom.

 

[Sigma LS]

You know this is the first water-based cooling system I think I would like to try my hand at. Simple and cool.


But this basically works like a swamp cooler right? Any problems with fogging on the visor in the helmet? Or does the standard brim fan take care of that as good as sweat?

 

[TK Scrap]

When I was in Iraq, we had been given some of the same things. We received the round ones and long snake like ones that doubled as a sweat band or around your neck. They drip water all over you so if you can deal with a little water you should be good.

As for the fogging problem. Any thing enclosed will always have that issue. If it helps regulate your heat then, "YES", it should cut down on fogging. Other wise you may just be a little cooler and still fogged up.

The best thing I can suggest is to try it out. I hoped that kind of helped.

 

[evilducky 00]

Fogging was moderate but I preferred it to burning up, ventilation holes help cut down on it a bit. TK great idea you can use excess materials and build a neck cooler.