Simracing at 30°C – Gadgets to Keep Your Cool
The summer has finally arrived in Europe, and the temperatures in simracing dens are slowly reaching a range that’s absolutely no fun anymore. How can you keep reasonably cool at temperatures above 30°C, and how much does it cost?
O-Rouge C2 ‘Cold Fusion’
When it comes to keeping your backside cool, the Cold Fusion seat from O-Rouge is likely the ultimate solution. It’s now available in its second version on the market and features an integrated ventilation system. A total of four fans provide a pleasant cooling effect for the back and backside. However, a clear downside is undoubtedly the price. Few simracers will be willing to spend €900 on a seat, even if the concept is definitely an impressive approach.
- Upholstered In velvet material
- Made of high durability glass fiber reinforced plastic shell mould
- 4 harness slots
- Stitched logos
- 4 blowers to ventilate the back and bottom zone combined with a special 3D woven fabric
DIY-Belüftung
Following the probably most expensive solution, the DIY ventilation system is the exact opposite. For a price under €50, you can get a ventilation system with a motorsport look, where the maximum intensity can be customized almost infinitely depending on the choice of fan. The clear downside, however, is the required effort for self-assembly.
- Standard 12 volt power supply unit of your choice ~5-10€
- 120 millimetre fan, e.g: ARCTIC F12 PWM – 120 mm PWM* ~5-10€
- PWM controller of your choice, used here: Motordrehzahlregler PWM* ~5-15€
- Cold air hose: Madlife Garage 76mm Kaltluftschlauch* ~25€
Fans
When it comes to cooling off in the summer, fans are the classic choice. Nowadays, there are models in every price range, starting from basic versions for under €50 to high-end models from Dyson and similar brands for up to €500. The advantage lies in their wide availability and ease of use. However, depending on the position of the rig, it can sometimes be challenging to align the fans effectively. The cost-performance ratio depends primarily on the choice of model.
Cooling Vests and Cooling Pads
At first glance, cooling vests or cooling pads, as known from the motorcycle sector, seem like a somewhat unusual solution. Here, the actual cooling effect is the greatest, but such a solution always requires a certain amount of pre-planning.
The Alternative: The Cold Blonde
If nothing else works, all that’s left is cooling from the inside. The long-term effect is questionable, but one thing is clear: A holder for a cold drink (around €20) is practically a must-have for any sim rig!
