Cool E-Bay Find "Bon-Aire Swamp Cooler"

[LeftCoast32]

I figured someone would get a kick out of this. I am not interested just wanted to post it up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bon-A...item45fc3b6b47

[chevyrestoguy]

I just sold one of those about a year ago that was in the original box and had never been filled with water or plugged in. I had all the original paperwork, too. I ebay'd it and got around $350 for it if I recall. I got it with a bunch of other parts, and although it was cool, I had no plans to use it.

[oem4me]

Ha! I bought one of those exact units at a swap meet a bunch of years ago. It was also in the orig box, never used. I had never seen one before and had no idea if they were really any good, but I took a chance at a hundred bucks (I think). Played with it for a few hours, then shelved it. It's still out in the garage somewhere. I totally forgot about it until I saw your post.
Do they work? Should it never be filled with water, as the ebay seller suggests? (too late, I'm already a fool). Seems like you'd have to keep a bunch of ice on hand for a long drive.

[chevyrestoguy]

They work OK, but it works best in a low/no humidity environment. If it's too humid, the unit will blow almost ambient temperature air. Ice definitely helps, because the in-car units pull air that's already inside the car. Until the car cools down, it won't be very efficient. The big barrel window units work much better because it's getting force fed cooler air. I think the seller was trying to use the typical tactic that his unit was too nice to actually use.

If you have one still in the box and don't plan on using it, sell it right now. It's one of those items that definitely seasonal, and with the temps the way they are currently, now is the time to sell it.