skyward II wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:https://www.wagaero.com/restoration/vents/retractable-3-1-4-snap-vent-ventilators.html


My buddy who has a C120 used these vents on his windows. Cooled down the airplane considerably. This seems like a cheap and easy to install modification. Is there any downside other than maybe needing to replace the glass a little sooner. Cheaper than Rosens. You'd think you wouldn't need to worry about getting hot in an airplane in Oregon but surprisingly the 170 is a little roasty. The air vents work okay but not so great in the pattern at lower speeds. Considering it for my 180 too. Curious if others have tried them and recommend them.


Josh

The concern for me is drilling the holes in your windows.

Exactly, me too.

MTV

skyward II wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:https://www.wagaero.com/restoration/vents/retractable-3-1-4-snap-vent-ventilators.html


My buddy who has a C120 used these vents on his windows. Cooled down the airplane considerably. This seems like a cheap and easy to install modification. Is there any downside other than maybe needing to replace the glass a little sooner. Cheaper than Rosens. You'd think you wouldn't need to worry about getting hot in an airplane in Oregon but surprisingly the 170 is a little roasty. The air vents work okay but not so great in the pattern at lower speeds. Considering it for my 180 too. Curious if others have tried them and recommend them.


Josh

The concern for me is drilling the holes in your windows.

Most Beavers have vents similar to those in the door windows. Having installed dozens of them it doesn't scare me at all, trick is to invest in an annular cutter, like a rotabroach, of the correct size. Spin it nice and fast and it cuts like butter through lexan or Plexi. Stepdrills, also known as uni-bits, cut through windows with no issue at all.

Halestorm wrote:

skyward II wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:https://www.wagaero.com/restoration/vents/retractable-3-1-4-snap-vent-ventilators.html


My buddy who has a C120 used these vents on his windows. Cooled down the airplane considerably. This seems like a cheap and easy to install modification. Is there any downside other than maybe needing to replace the glass a little sooner. Cheaper than Rosens. You'd think you wouldn't need to worry about getting hot in an airplane in Oregon but surprisingly the 170 is a little roasty. The air vents work okay but not so great in the pattern at lower speeds. Considering it for my 180 too. Curious if others have tried them and recommend them.


Josh

The concern for me is drilling the holes in your windows.

Most Beavers have vents similar to those in the door windows. Having installed dozens of them it doesn't scare me at all, trick is to invest in an annular cutter, like a rotabroach, of the correct size. Spin it nice and fast and it cuts like butter through lexan or Plexi. Stepdrills, also known as uni-bits, cut through windows with no issue at all.

Not the hole drilling part, but the “what if” I’m not happy with it thing. They just look like leakers to me. Maybe you can enlighten me to that aspect of concern.

I have a pair of these vents waiting but just can’t commit to drilling. I have new glass (plastic) waiting to install on my 182.

Maybe I’ll install the window vents in them before I replace with the new just before paint….

Halestorm wrote:

skyward II wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:https://www.wagaero.com/restoration/vents/retractable-3-1-4-snap-vent-ventilators.html


My buddy who has a C120 used these vents on his windows. Cooled down the airplane considerably. This seems like a cheap and easy to install modification. Is there any downside other than maybe needing to replace the glass a little sooner. Cheaper than Rosens. You'd think you wouldn't need to worry about getting hot in an airplane in Oregon but surprisingly the 170 is a little roasty. The air vents work okay but not so great in the pattern at lower speeds. Considering it for my 180 too. Curious if others have tried them and recommend them.


Josh

The concern for me is drilling the holes in your windows.

Most Beavers have vents similar to those in the door windows. Having installed dozens of them it doesn't scare me at all, trick is to invest in an annular cutter, like a rotabroach, of the correct size. Spin it nice and fast and it cuts like butter through lexan or Plexi. Stepdrills, also known as uni-bits, cut through windows with no issue at all.

My only experience with the window vents was in my friend's 120. Night and day difference with ventilation following installation. His air vents never circulated much air and his black glare shield absorbed heat. I remember it being ridiculously hot in his airplane before he installed them. The last couple of times we've flown together he had the window vents. It was impressive how cool it got in the airplane. The also closed up nicely when we at altitude. I would guess that they reduce the life of the glass. Time will tell if they start leaking.



Josh

I have nothing to add that the others haven't mentioned already. I just wanted to say that the airplane looks beautiful, and that Panel is so clean... almost 'virginal'!

I've put the 3 1/4" Snap Vents in 3 different planes. Probably the cheapest and best way to get cool air in the cockpit. My only suggestion would be to cut the hole slightly undersize and then gradually sand it until you get a snug fit. This will stop them from rattling and not holding their position. You can also put a thin bead of silicone of something around the edge to help stop them from turning.

WWhunter wrote:I've put the 3 1/4" Snap Vents in 3 different planes. Probably the cheapest and best way to get cool air in the cockpit. My only suggestion would be to cut the hole slightly undersize and then gradually sand it until you get a snug fit. This will stop them from rattling and not holding their position. You can also put a thin bead of silicone of something around the edge to help stop them from turning.

Great tip about the installation Keith! My Avid has the 2" Snapvents and they work quite well but will work out of position.

Most of the higher performance sailplanes I’ve flown had a variation of this sort of vent, they worked very well. The vent could also be open or closed. I’d being looking for that style if it was me and wouldn’t hesitate at all to install one or even two, one on each side window.

WWhunter wrote:I've put the 3 1/4" Snap Vents in 3 different planes. Probably the cheapest and best way to get cool air in the cockpit. My only suggestion would be to cut the hole slightly undersize and then gradually sand it until you get a snug fit. This will stop them from rattling and not holding their position. You can also put a thin bead of silicone of something around the edge to help stop them from turning.

My only experience with these vents is in my friend's 120. It felt like we were flying in an open cockpit airplane. Curious if you've seen in a 180 before. My airplane gets a little toasty in the summer. Curious if the faster cruise in the Skywagon makes them a no go.



Josh

Baggage door and Lake Vue or BAS fold up seats.
Sportsman STOL kit is a big plus too

Dog is my Copilot wrote:

WWhunter wrote:I've put the 3 1/4" Snap Vents in 3 different planes. Probably the cheapest and best way to get cool air in the cockpit. My only suggestion would be to cut the hole slightly undersize and then gradually sand it until you get a snug fit. This will stop them from rattling and not holding their position. You can also put a thin bead of silicone of something around the edge to help stop them from turning.

My only experience with these vents is in my friend's 120. It felt like we were flying in an open cockpit airplane. Curious if you've seen in a 180 before. My airplane gets a little toasty in the summer. Curious if the faster cruise in the Skywagon makes them a no go.



Josh

Josh,

Definitely a good question! I can't say that I have personally seen them installed in a 180.

They are definitely a lifesaver during the summer. I'm sure you can probably check with the manufacturer to see if they are suitable for faster aircraft. There is another style about half the size that might work also. Could always try them and if they aren't enough, cut a bigger hole and put the big one's ine.

those window vents in a cessna would be foolish... if you want more air, install Precise Flow Air Vents. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it.

Sorry to say, but the single best mod for a C170B is the upgrade to a 180 LOL. Everyone spends tons of cash trying to push it that way, only to end up selling it and starting again with the Skywagon.

If you've convinced yourself that your the one exception and that this doesn't apply to you, the absolute best mod is a diet.

2nd is BAS harness, followed by Dessers,

then a Sportsman w/ VGs.

Then (if stock) go w/ a climb prop.

It gets a bit more muddy from there...

Bigrenna wrote:those window vents in a cessna would be foolish... if you want more air, install Precise Flow Air Vents. A bit on the pricey side, but well worth it.

Sorry to say, but the single best mod for a C170B is the upgrade to a 180 LOL. Everyone spends tons of cash trying to push it that way, only to end up selling it and starting again with the Skywagon.

If you've convinced yourself that your the one exception and that this doesn't apply to you, the absolute best mod is a diet.

2nd is BAS harness, followed by Dessers,

then a Sportsman w/ VGs.

Then (if stock) go w/ a climb prop.

It gets a bit more muddy from there...

Greg,

You are probably correct about the best mod for a C170 being a C180. Comes at an expense of a higher acquisition and operating cost too. The stock C170 may be the way to go if someone is looking for a really fun airplane with low operating costs. Sonia's C170 burns about 6-7 gph. Not super fast 95-100 knots with 8.5s X6s. I think if you can accept the limitations of the O300 and fly it with light loads then it is a great airplane. She is planning on getting the 8042 prop eventually which may help it get better climb performance. I think for summer Idaho or Montana flying - it'll need to be light on fuel, and weight - with plans to be on the ground by mid morning on hot days.

On the subject of dieting and increasing your UL - great topic. I have slowly lost 35 lbs in about 7-8 years. Got my weight down to 180 lbs - 6'1" with a BMI of 23. Not only important for UL but for health and staying fit. I had back surgery 6 months ago - and keeping the load off my spine is critical to staying healthy. Also makes a difference in a light airplane.


Josh