Project Sweat Arrestor (aka helmet dryer)

[aka Larry]

If you race or have worn a helmet for any period of time, you know it gets hot in there and you will sweat. My particular genre is endurance racing in which most drivers do 2 hour (or more) stints. During the summer months your helmet can be almost dripping wet after 2+ hours, so with that comes the funk if you don't allow it to dry out. With enough time it will dry on it's own, but having to don it several times per day due to refueling and driver changes, it's nice to have it nice and dry each time.

Since I like building things, and the commercially available versions are quite pricey, I decided to make one myself. Obviously it's not rocket science, but I like the stuff that I build to look like some thought and effort went into the design and fabrication. I used 1" square tubing, 1/2" square tubing, and Lexan for the structure. The trim pieces are a PVC material with a bushed aluminum veneer. The fan is a 180mm a ball-bearing type that is rated at 210CFM. To finish it off, I used a vinyl stencil to acid etch the logo onto the front trim panel. Using this, the helmet is completely dry in about 30 minutes so it does the job well.

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's a pretty good idea. Do you have a place to plug it in at the track? I'm thinking in some cases it may be better to have a 12 volt DC power source.

 

[aka Larry]

That's a pretty good idea. Do you have a place to plug it in at the track? I'm thinking in some cases it may be better to have a 12 volt DC power source.

Yes, we always have AC power via the track's facilities or our own generator.

 

[tarbellb]

Wow, looks legit! Nicely done.

Any idea if adding exhaust ventilation would accelerate dry times?

Perhaps just pushing the helmet up 1/2" off the base, or port holes around the fan? Or does the helmet vents do enough?

 

[aka Larry]

Wow, looks legit! Nicely done.

Any idea if adding exhaust ventilation would accelerate dry times?

Perhaps just pushing the helmet up 1/2" off the base, or port holes around the fan? Or does the helmet vents do enough?

Thanks!

I took that pic with the visor down just for looks. When in use, the visor would be open, so the exhaust hole is larger than intake.

 

[racingtadpole]

I made a similar thing for drying my gloves and boot liners après ski after my gloves were stolen from a hotel drying room.

Nice work, looks pro.

 

[fergus]

Nicely done man!

 

[aka Larry]

Nicely done man!

Thank you!

Nice work, looks pro.

I appreciate the compliment!

 

[jimgood]

That's nice, Larry. Does it draw the air from the helmet down or does it push air up into the helmet?

 

[aka Larry]

That's nice, Larry. Does it draw the air from the helmet down or does it push air up into the helmet?

Thanks!

It pulls fresh air in from the bottom and pushes it up and out through the visor opening.

 

[az45]

Looks good, how do you dry your suit?

Molecule Refresher is a spray that takes the stink out of helmets pretty well. Its available from your favorite race supply source...or upr.com

 

[rharman]

That is a really clean DIY build. I like it...

 

[aka Larry]

Looks good, how do you dry your suit?

Molecule Refresher is a spray that takes the stink out of helmets pretty well. Its available from your favorite race supply source...or upr.com

Thanks.

I use the Molecule Wash on my suit and let it air dry. Of course that is done after the race, but not too long after to avoid the funk.

 

[txvwnut]

Very nicely done and beats carrying multiple helmets. I suspect you might get a few orders to build some for the other racers.

 

[Abeo]

That looks awesome!

To finish it off, I used a vinyl stencil to acid etch the logo onto the front trim panel.

This is intriguing... more details? Computer-controlled vinyl cutter? What acid? The results look fantastic.

 

[aka Larry]

That looks awesome!



This is intriguing... more details? Computer-controlled vinyl cutter? What acid? The results look fantastic.

Thanks!

Take a look at this thread where I did acid etching on a brake rotor for more details on that process.

 

[koditten]

I have a bunch of those fans. They are pretty loud. What about yours? Does having a helmet on top cut down the noise?

 

[aka Larry]

I have a bunch of those fans. They are pretty loud. What about yours? Does having a helmet on top cut down the noise?

Why do you have a bunch of them? I need more if you are looking to sell.

Yes, it's loud...if you are in a quiet room, but with all the ambient noise at a race track, it's pretty much silent!

 

[koditten]

I'll pm you.