Sunday 26 February 2017

Windscreen de-mister vents

Wetter drives recently, and with the windscreen just out of arms reach I'm decided to fit some de-mister vents in an attempt to move warm air over the inside of the screen.

Same 10mm holes, and tools, used on the bonnet vents
The choice was a plastic moulding - which looked too mass produced, a slot or a row of holes. The latter decided on since I know I can make it look tidy and it leaves plenty of scuttle behind to hold its strength.

The tape applied and marked up before moving the windscreen, these holes will sit tight against it's lower edge. Procedure is: pilot 3.2mm hole, widen to 6mm, punch to 10mm.

The crosshead bolts are just placeholders - they will be button head when I am finished.

The plenums had a number of options: I had purchased some along with the heater are too large, smaller 3d printed versions which were promising, but in the end  decided to try something even simpler.

32mm PVC pipe cut diagonally lets me adjust the intake width to as wide as I like and avoids any need to join or make complex shapes, the flex hose should attach to the inboard end which will sit slightly proud of the surface. The air pressure will not be constant over the length - but this is a de-mister, not an engine intake.

Sits under the scuttle mounted with two bolts. The PVC piping bends and gives to the structure so no need for precise fitting of the curved shape. Biggest concern is ensuring any water ingress will avoid any electrics inside, so may add some foam packing around the opening and/or make sure the water drip route is harmlessly down the footwell sides.

It would have been easier to fit when the scuttle was off the car - potentially glueing a single half-sliced pipe across the whole width. The plan now is to use some flex hosing to plumb into the existing heater box.

Just waiting on some parts from ebay...

Thursday 16 February 2017

Wild Atlantic Way

I took a little liberty with the Wild Atlantic Way logo to create a trip sticker


A few things on the to-do list including: re-assemble my camera, currently dismantled, to be modded with an external microphone and re-work the new USB power outlet which seems to disagree with my Satnav.

Every time I turn the ignition off the Satnav does a hard reboot rather than sleeping. I suspect some nasty voltage is being passed down the USB lines...

Monday 13 February 2017

The Route

The route now identified - subject to change and play by ear when on the road - but broadly as follows. Going to try a blast from the past and camping - but again - depending on how the weather treats me may succumb to some B&B along the way.

This page contains embedded google maps so may load slowly.

To/From Ireland

~411 miles Out: via a stop in South Wales then the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry,
~680 miles Back: via in-laws in Portadown, Dublin to Holyhead and then through North Wales.




The Coast Road

~888 mile four day run.
Taking in the south and west of the Wild Atlantic Way, pausing for a family holiday near Westport for a week before heading home.

Waypoints mostly along the coast, a few meanders to see some interesting inshore scenery and to include Cahir Castle where some scenes from John Boorman's Excalibur were filmed, a long time favourite movie, so going to try and see that.



If I manage that it averages around 250 miles per day, if I dont, then I have flexibility with the camping gear and can always cut some corners.

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Ireland - Wild Atlantic Way - planning

The west coast of Ireland is marketing itself as The Wild Atlantic Way, it is unlikely to be hot, or even dry, but - given some half decent weather is a fantastic part of the world. The plan I'm playing with is to borrow some of the coastal routes, add in a few mountain passes and coordinate a road trip with a family holiday near in-laws in Northern Ireland.

Probably south to north route - taking in the Southern Peninsulas, Cliff Coast, Bay Coast - but then depending on progress cut straight to a week of normal tourism before heading home.

Usual 3-4 days at ~250 miles per day, late March/early April.

Route map purchased and some key waypoints already picked out...


First order of business after deciding the general destination is a trip badge. Borrowed logo adjusted and mocked up as a transparent sticker.