Carcoons

[246gts]

Having seen the beginnings of a discussion on carcoons on another thread I thought it would be useful to start a fresh topic on the subject.
I have used a "carcoon" now for about 12 years. Actually the one I have is not a Carcoon but is an Airchamber which is the same principle but has a frame (like a frame tent) on the outside and the plastic bubble is hung from it. This allows the car to be driven in and out and means that at no time does the bubble touch the car.
I too have done some concours albeit with another car not the Minor and I tend to keep the car in the Airchamber from the end of the concours season say November until the start of the next one in the Spring time.
When the car comes out it is in exactly the same state as when it was put away, no rust on discs, no dampness inside no dust etc etc.
Ok I am sure that there will be some who say that I should be using my car not stashing it away in a bubble, well I have done that during the 30 years of ownership and now my pleasure is in keeping it in good shape, besides that is what the Minor is for!!!

[Judge]

If only I could bottle the smell of leather and 'old car' that I get when I open the rear vent and have a sniff mmmmm........

[Blaketon]

Ok I am sure that there will be some who say that I should be using my car not stashing it away in a bubble, well I have done that during the 30 years of ownership and now my pleasure is in keeping it in good shape, besides that is what the Minor is for!!!

I wouldn't be one of them!! Whilst I agree that cars are for using, they are not for abusing. I don't have a system such as yours but I have a dry heated garage. The MGs live under dust sheets in said garage (Being cleaned before they are put away under their dust sheets). The Traveller shares the garage but since it is the "Runabout", does not have a dust sheet. Having said that, I have only needed to use it three or four times since October and it is now clean and salt free. I took the opportunity to wax the wood when the car was dry after the last wash.

Like you I take pleasure in setting a high standard and ensuring that what I have remains in good order. Yes, I suppose there is a kind of vanity in there somewhere, though if vanity played that great a part in my thinking, I'd probably sell my cars and buy some sort of new Porsche or Audi. This I am sure would impress the pleb motorists hereabouts , who I suspect would perceive me as the "Poor b*****d, down the end, with the old bangers". The main reason, for my approach, is that I was brought up to look after things and it goes against the grain to neglect things.

[aupickup]

each to there own nd i do admire concourse cars etc

tho mine does have to be used quite often and in the snow and ice

[bmcecosse]

I'm still trying to find out how a 'carcoon' works - I can't see blowing in damp air can possibly do much good - so - is the air dried before it's blown in ?

[Judge]

each to there own nd i do admire concourse cars etc

tho mine does have to be used quite often and in the snow and ice

No worries Dennis, so does my covertible. Never even seen a garage or carport in around 12 years

[alanworland]

I must admit I have seen these and thought they sounded quite a good idea, My Morris is in a un heated garage, although it is joined to the house and doesn't go into minus temperatures!

[246gts]

I'm still trying to find out how a 'carcoon' works - I can't see blowing in damp air can possibly do much good - so - is the air dried before it's blown in ?

Roy
The air is not dried or heated before going through the chamber but is merely blown through over the car, I suppose it is a bit like driving the car along, this then means that the air within the chamber is changed every few minutes. Far from dampening the car it actually will dry a car that is put in there wet.
You can adjust the airflow by opening or closing a zipped flap at the end opposite to where the three small electric fans are, so if you wanted to dry the car you open the flap fully (about 12 inches long)and increase the air flow.
Mine is kept in a cold barn and works perfectly, plus it acts as a barrier to keep off dust, falling plaster from the roof etc!!!!
Dave

[bmcecosse]

Inside a barn - I can see the point, but outdoors - blowing damp air over the car seems pointless. Obviously it keeps rain off! I would have expected a drier on the inlet - to drop the humidity of the air in the bubble.

[stuart_k]

I have an experiment going on in a way to see if what BMC says is correct. The MG is in an airchamber in my tiny garage and the Moggy is in an airchamber under a carport. The airchamber outside actually has condensation inside most mornings at present but it clears in the day. I don't think these things are designed to function in the open air although the supplier assured me it would be fine. I have my doubts. But at least it keeps the car clean and reasonably dry.

In defence of the system my VW camper was kept outside under a very good car cover for 3 years and very little rust occurred. I garaged it over last winter in my mother-in-laws brick garage and it rusted to buggery (slight exaggeration but you get the idea) . I can only conclude the free air flow outdoors was what prevented the rusting previously so there may be something in the "constant airflow prevents rust" idea.

[alanworland]

I think you will find that the condensation is only on the inside of the Carcoon as this will have dropped in temperature due to the cool night air - I think the car will be fine
I keep a small fan heater (about 100 watts) in the car which keeps the air moving preventing damp, particularly in the upholstery.

[stuart_k]

I think you are right. Despite condensation on the walls of the airchamber the car is bone dry. We have had several hard frosts and I have had to scrape the ice off my daily before setting off for work but the car inside the airchamber is dry and no sign of frost anywhere on the body suggesting that the moisture does not settle. I'm hopeful therefore that the investment I've made in these gizmos is going to prove well worth it in the long run.

[bmcecosse]

In freezing conditions - there is very little moisture in the air. That's how I would expect the in-going air to be 'dried' - by passing it over a chilled coil at 4 deg C. In warm/wet weather that would make a significant difference to the water load carried into the bubble. Of course - for 'real' drying - would need a silica gel wheel - and a gas drying system! Obvious running cost implications.
I used to run a dryroom - at < 1 % humidity - NOTHING rusts in there!

[stuart_k]

Yes there is less moisture at lower temperatures but some of it still condenses and causes a frost. My point is that while my daily standing out in the elements right next to the airchamber is covered in frost in the morning, the Moggie inside the airchamber isn't, so there must be something about the micro climate in there that is different.

[aupickup]

dont get frost on the window when my mog is in the garage

[bmcecosse]

Aye -my dear wife makes that point about her car - 'two wrecks' in the garage - and her car sitting outside covered in snow/ice/frost...........