Car bubble

[crankedup]

Thinking about one of the car bubbles like carcoon to use for the winter period. I will only need a small version and they sell for about 380 quid or so. My worry is will the leather dry out during the winter period and are these things really a good investment? Last year I noticed quite a bit of condensation on my cars so wanted to eliminate that problem.

[lowdrag]

Carcoons are great. The constantly turning motor and the filters eliminate condensation and keep your car clean and dry. There are several models so choose carefully.

[cwk]

crankedup said:

Thinking about one of the car bubbles like carcoon to use for the winter period. I will only need a small version and they sell for about 380 quid or so. My worry is will the leather dry out during the winter period and are these things really a good investment? Last year I noticed quite a bit of condensation on my cars so wanted to eliminate that problem.

I bought a Carcoon recently - see my post here

As I understand it, they don't actually dehumidify the air, rather, they just prevent any condensation from forming. If that's the case, you wouldn't need to worry about your leather drying out.

I got a bit "bored" of paying around £20 per month running a dehumidifier in my garage. A Carcoon costs £10 per year so from that point of view, will pay for itself in 2 years, say. Factor in how it keeps the dust off your car, stops rust/mould/etc, and it seems to me that yes, they are a good investment.

Just my opinion!!

Charles

[crankedup]

The alternative product appears to be the Cair-O-port which has much the same idea of function except its established around its own framework, a bit like a tent. I can see an advantage in that its easy to drive in/out without having to dismantle system. Any other views please.

[cwk]

crankedup said:

The alternative product appears to be the Cair-O-port which has much the same idea of function except its established around its own framework, a bit like a tent. I can see an advantage in that its easy to drive in/out without having to dismantle system. Any other views please.

Since you ask.....

I did look at the Cair-o-port and yes, it appears to do the same thing. The reason I went for the Carcoon is that my car has awkward doors which make getting in and out a little tricky in the garage. I didn't want the added complication of having to line the car up with the "doors in the tent", if that makes sense.

So far I've found the Carcoon reasonably easy to put up - it's like putting on a car cover, but then you zip it to the base. It's easiest with 2 people, though.

When I want to get the car out I simply turn off the fans, unzip the base, then wait for a few minutes and roll the top of the carcoon up - again, like a car cover. All in all, it's much less hassle than I expected.

There's a video on the Carcoon website showing how it works.

I would think that I would have been happy with either product, but the Carcoon works for me!


HTH

Charles

[crankedup]

Thanks for input Charles, always a good thing to hear first hand experiences of products. Just need to make up my mind now.

[williamp]

I bought a german system which uses a large, heavy car cover which zips it up compleatly, and has jars of dessicant which you put into the case so they dry the air.

Doint bother. It doesnt work, and they dont want you to complain. I bouhgt a dehymidifyer for the garage which works at very low temperatures. I reckon I'll be able to tun it continuously throughout the winter for 3 years and it will still be cheaper then the tent thing.

[Wombat Rick]

I used an Air Chamber for a couple of years but got rid of it as it took up so much room in my garage. It did work very well though and very easy to just drive in and out of it.
http://www.airflow-uk.com/air-chamber.htm

[crankedup]

Wombat Rick said:

I used an Air Chamber for a couple of years but got rid of it as it took up so much room in my garage. It did work very well though and very easy to just drive in and out of it.
http://www.airflow-uk.com/air-chamber.htm

This is the option to the carcoon that I am considering. I like the drive in / out aspect without all the hassle associated with the other type. I'm lucky to have loads of room in my garage to accomadate the air-chamber. Looked on e-pray for a used one but no luck so far.

[Bacchus]

I had exactly the same "problem" a few weeks ago, I searched all forums, and came to the conclusion that the permabag would suit my needs. http://www.permabag.com/
It works without electricity, and compared to the Airchamber and Carcoon where the humidity, imo still circulates inside the balloon, it traps humidity in the two cylinders....

cheers Yves