GROUP BUY: AirFlow Airchamber

[rustedandrotten]

I use carcoons and just tie them up to the roof or a scaffold frame so that it makes it easier to get the car in and out, no issues at all :approve:

 

[Lankan]

I use carcoons and just tie them up to the roof or a scaffold frame so that it makes it easier to get the car in and out, no issues at all :approve:

Thanks Simon, you have answered my question.

Next one, why would you choose the frame-less Carcoon (Evo) over the Veloce version, apart from price of course? I presume you have (good) access all round the car to run the zip all the way around as is required with the Evo model?

 

[rustedandrotten]

I use carcoons and just tie them up to the roof or a scaffold frame so that it makes it easier to get the car in and out, no issues at all :approve:

Thanks Simon, you have answered my question.

Next one, why would you choose the frame-less Carcoon (Evo) over the Veloce version, apart from price of course? I presume you have (good) access all round the car to run the zip all the way around as is required with the Evo model?

A length of string and a small soft weight on the zipper means that it isn't too difficult to zip up or undo when access is a bit tight! Such as close up to a wall etc. Its amazing where you can squeeze a car in a soft Carcoon into!

 

[Lankan]

I use carcoons and just tie them up to the roof or a scaffold frame so that it makes it easier to get the car in and out, no issues at all :approve:

Thanks Simon, you have answered my question.

Next one, why would you choose the frame-less Carcoon (Evo) over the Veloce version, apart from price of course? I presume you have (good) access all round the car to run the zip all the way around as is required with the Evo model?

A length of string and a small soft weight on the zipper means that it isn't too difficult to zip up or undo when access is a bit tight! Such as close up to a wall etc. Its amazing where you can squeeze a car in a soft Carcoon into!

Okay, that is exactly my issue - ease of use, as it will be tight in my garage when two cars are in there, so looking for an easy drive in/drive out solution, irrespective of whether the car is wet or dry.

 

[Lankan]

Dad has an airchamber for his TR6 and the quality isn't the best, the seams have split and the frame itself is very flimsy.

Colin, see response from AirFlow UK when I highlighted the issue your Dad was having with his Airchamber:
"We take all issues very seriously and when the product is at fault and rectify immediately.
Can you please ask your member to send images and purchase date with invoice number and contact detail."

Your Dad may want to get in touch with AirFlow UK (I am in contact with a chap named Rob, Tel 0845 458 2611). Would be useful if you can feedback what their response was, and how, if at all, the issues were rectified.

Further Q & A with AirFlow UK:
Q: As regards splitting seams (“…the seams have split…”), why would this happen – is it likely to be usage related (i.e. constantly dragging/moving the unit once it has been erected), or age related? I am trying to gauge the lifespan of a typical unit (not the motors).

A: I have Airchambers that have been up for over 8 years and apart from the outside being filthy dirty, they are in an old barn and never have had issues with seams, just filters and 2 motors. Our prototype is 28 years old and still going strong.
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Q: As regards the motors, I understand that they are a brushless design, which is good for longevity, but may eventually fail. If they do, can one just replace only the failed motor by oneself, and how much will each cost to replace.

A: It is simple to replace the fans they are secured by 4 wing nuts and the filters are washable. The cost of the motor is £20.83 plus VAT.
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Q: People seem to compare the Airchamber with the Carcoon Veloce, so it would be useful to have the pros and cons of the Airchamber when compared to the Veloce? What are the benefits of the Airchamber over a Veloce, or any such product?

A: The Veloce is a good product and both units are comparable on performance, however you have to drive over a zipper to put your car away in a Veloce and a stone in a tyre may destroy the operation, also the frame work is metal which means a slight mishap in your aim will result in damage to the vehicle and the frame whereas the Airchamber pole will move if struck (in case of those senior moments). I do believe that the filters have to be replaced frequently with the Veloce.
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[Lankan]

So, any further questions or feedback, or a show of hands by those who may be interested in getting an Airchamber?

 

[Kett]

I've come to the conclusion that these are a 'protective suit' for cars kept in single-skin or poorly sealed garages/barns.

My garage is cavity-walled, double-glazed etc without heating. I inadvertently knackered my discs by using the Vee on a wet November day, not drying them properly and leaving until Spring. My mistake was expecting everything to dry nicely in an unheated garage. I'm not sure an airchamber would have been a whole lot better - heat and/or dehumidification was needed.

Ironically, that event has made me want to construct a super-garage, but that will be on a 2-year back-burner now.

In essence, I see these as a very clever device for a certain type of outbuilding application. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[Williams]

I'm interested in the group buy too please Dulan...

Need to put a tape measure around the garage first though. :salut:

 

[Lankan]

I've come to the conclusion that these are a 'protective suit' for cars kept in single-skin or poorly sealed garages/barns.

My garage is cavity-walled, double-glazed etc without heating. I inadvertently knackered my discs by using the Vee on a wet November day, not drying them properly and leaving until Spring. My mistake was expecting everything to dry nicely in an unheated garage. I'm not sure an airchamber would have been a whole lot better - heat and/or dehumidification was needed.

Ironically, that event has made me want to construct a super-garage, but that will be on a 2-year back-burner now.

In essence, I see these as a very clever device for a certain type of outbuilding application. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

I have sought advice from AirFlow re your point above Kett (see response below). However, I would say that, irrespective of what solution you adopt, parking a car up with damp/wet brake discs, especially for a prolonged period of time, will not help - the discs will stick. Even if the rest of the car is wet, when parking up, brake discs need to be dry. If this is not possible, say, if you happen to return home in a downpour, I would make sure I roll the car at the next available opportunity to prevent those discs sticking. As a matter of course, when parking up, I also leave the handbrake disengaged.

Feedback in from AirFlow UK:
"The Airchamber works by circulating up to 50,000 litres of clean air per hour throughout the storage cell whilst electrostatic filters trap even the smallest airborne particles. In these conditions a rain soaked car is dried quickly - the breeze created by the air flow causing rapid evaporation just like on a washing line (it's like hanging your car out to dry). Evaporated moisture within the Airchamber is then allowed to escape with the airflow, exiting through the vents and closed zips. Replenished by fresh, filtered air from the fans, the environment will always remain fresh, as well as condensation-free (because rapid changes in temperature are prevented). With a virtually moisture-free atmosphere, rust and mould simply cannot develop; the reason we don't say totally moisture-free is because even 'dry' air contains a certain, natural amount of (desired) water vapour. This helps prevent materials like wood, leather and rubber from losing their natural qualities."

In addition, my thoughts are that the root cause for rapid changes in temperature can be eliminated by having a temperature-controlled enclosure, but most ready-made garages do not have such a feature, and the expense of building one, and their running costs, will far outweigh the investment made in a device like the Airchamber.

Like you I too weighed up the pros and cons of getting the garage fitted out, but dropped the idea as the numbers did not stack up. In fact I didn't feel the need to have a solution in place until last winter when I noticed condensation build up on the Alfa SZ, which was the first time in over 10 years of storing cars in the same garage. This I attribute to the wild temperature swings we experienced last winter. My garage is brick-built, with a slate roof, which is not sealed/insulated, so has plenty of ventilation, but, as a consequence, is prone to temperature changes.

Hope the above addresses your query...........

 

[Kett]

Dulan,
Thank you for that succinct reply.
As you know, my Vees are parked up at THA - and it took me a year of waiting to bag those spaces. My plan with my garage was to build next summer. At the moment - that looks like an impossible dream, as I've massively overspent on the house. So I have to ask myself - do I buy x2 air chambers and bring the Vees home or do I keep at THA and reassess my finances on six months. Answers on a postcard...

 

[Lankan]

Dulan,
Thank you for that succinct reply.
As you know, my Vees are parked up at THA - and it took me a year of waiting to bag those spaces. My plan with my garage was to build next summer. At the moment - that looks like an impossible dream, as I've massively overspent on the house. So I have to ask myself - do I buy x2 air chambers and bring the Vees home or do I keep at THA and reassess my finances on six months. Answers on a postcard...

If your ultimate goal is to build a proper garage (car house) then it would make sense to stay put and evaluate in six months time..........