Diy Phase Change Cooling Vest

[diabeticgonewild]

I live in the south and I could not justify spending $220 for a phase change, Arctic Heat cooling vest, that was going to be worn during exercise. So, I am working on making my own phase change cooling vest.

Phase change cooling packs are advantageous compared to traditional ice packs because the packs maintain their frozen state in higher temperatures, while traditional ice packs melt. Therefore, you stay cooler for longer periods of time.

You can store the phase changing packs (or traditional ice packs) in a tactical armor plate carrier vest, which police use for protection.

The vest can also be used as a heating vest, that is microwave-safe, except different chemicals are used for the phase change heat packs. You can also switch out phase change packs if the cooling effect runs out.

I will be posting a more detailed tutorial later, for both DIY cooling and heating vests, but I hope this idea is inspiring enough for somebody to try it out.

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MATERIALS:

* Lancer Tactical CA-302B Adjustable Tactical Carrier Airsoft Vest (Black) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJ6AXIS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

* Sodium Polyacrylate (http://www.watersorb.com/prices.htm)

* FoodSaver® Vacuum Sealer (http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Advanced-Design-Vacuum-Sealer/dp/B0044XDA3S/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1370980474&sr=1-1&keywords=food+saver)

* FoodSaver® Bags (http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FSFSBF0116-6-Inch---9-Inch-Pint/dp/B0000CFFSM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1370980627&sr=8-4&keywords=food+saver+bags) or FoodSaver® Rolls (http://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FSFSBF0534-8-Inch-20-Feet-Rolls/dp/B001U0274Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370980702&sr=8-2&keywords=food+saver+rolls)

* Water

* Food Coloring (if desired)

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GUIDE:

1. How to Make Homemade Phase Change Packs (http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf21099760.tip.html)

Making homemade phase change cold packs should be relatively easy to implement as they are by definition not freezing cold but instead delivering a more constant and stable 60 degrees F. for a much lower period of time.

The recipe calls for the use of something called Sodium polyacrylate it is the stuff that also happens to be in baby diapers.

One can get Sodium polyacrylate from, http://www.watersorb.com/prices.htm

The unique thing about Sodium polyacrylate is that it has the ability to absorb 30 gallons of water per pound of sodium polyacrylate granules.

A little sodium polyacrylate medium sized granules goes a long way. One should only use 1 teaspoon of sodium polyacrylate granules per quart of water. So for example when using a gallon sized ziploc bag use no more than 4 teaspoons of the sodium polyacrylate granules with four quarts of water.

By using the sodium polyacrylate granules when mixed in the proper recommended above ratio one can make a suitable homemade phase change pack that can by design parameters have a much higher and not freezing cold 32 degrees F but instead delivering a more constant and stable 60 degrees F. for a much lower period of time.

This is the way to go as far as customizing ones own homemade phase change pack for different desired objective temperature points for different chilling objective applications.

2. How to Seal Phase Change Packs (Use a Vacuum Sealer)

(other instruction for sealing phase change packs)

3. How to Put Phase Change Packs in to the Cooling Vest

4. Wear the Vest

[spinner]

Sounds good if it works for you.

I have no idea how cops/firemen can stand the heat wearing all that stuff.

As a guy, im probably too clumsy to deal with all that, although its probably easier

to do than it looks.

[diabeticgonewild]

I am going to make a YouTube video on it, eventually.

I don't think the process takes more than 15 minutes to make the packs. With chronic illness, we certainly do not have the energy to work on "projects".

[diabeticgonewild]

The guy in the YouTube video is using a Tacprogear PSD vest, which comes in sizes and seems more lightweight than the vest I received today.

I am thinking about modifying the phase change materials, by following this (expired) patent application, in example 1 (page 4) http://www.scribd.com/doc/147288342/Reversible-Phase-Change-Composition

The chemicals, distilled water, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride can be purchased easily (and locally).

[Adhdad]

To diabeticgonwild, not sure if it's too late to respond to your post, but just wanted 5o know how that worked out for you?