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Q:
How much of a temperature difference with
MPC?
A:
The water mist produced by MPC nozzles will lower
the air temperature 15-20 deg. F. The cooling
effect is greatest in low humidity, high
temperature environments.
Q:
How difficult is the MPC system to
install?
A:
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being easy, installation
rates a 4. You must be comfortable with installing
mechanical components and know how to connect
electrical devices to the vehicle's electrical
system. Installing a car stereo is about the same
difficulty level. This is a DIY project for the
home mechanic. Installation time is approximately
3-4 hours.
Q:
What energizes the
system?
A:
The basic MPC kit includes a driver-operated toggle
switch to activate the pump. If needed, there are
optional temperature and pressure switches
available to automatically activate the system for
specific cooling situations.
Q:
How much electrical power does the system
use?
A:
The system has low current requirements;
approximately 4 amp.
Q:
What else can MPC cool in my
vehicle?
A:
Anything that gets too hot. Directing a water mist
onto an oil cooler, coolant radiator or AC
condenser increases the efficiency of that
particular system.
Q:
What is the ideal environment for mist cooling?
A:
The best environment is one that promotes fast mist
evaporation; hot and dry weather, usually always
found under the hood of a car.
Q:
How long will the water supply last? Will I have to
carry a lot of water?
A:
Each red nozzle delivers approximately 1 gallon of
fluid for 1.5 hours. Using two red nozzles, the
included 2.5 gallon reservoir will last for
approximately 1.5 - 2 hours under continuous use.
The cream color nozzles consume approx. 1 gal/45
minutes.
The
prototype system in the track car contains a total
of 4 nozzles; two brake nozzles and two intercooler
nozzles. With a system capacity of 1 gallon, the
water supply lasts approximately 22 minutes of
track time.
Q:
What kind of water should I use in the system?
A:
Regular drinking water is recommended; the type
labeled "filtered drinking water" or water filtered
by the "RO" method (reverse osmosis), commonly used
in undersink filters. Avoid using distilled or
deionized water as this attacks metal surfaces.
Q:
Does MPC require high
maintenance?
A:
No. Other than checking water levels periodically,
the only other maintenance is to periodically
inspect the see-through reservoir filter. The
pressure accumulator should also be checked every 3
months for adequate pressure. It can be
repressurized with any air source suitable for
tires.
Q:
Will the misting nozzles
clog?
A:
MPC resin nozzles are more resistant to clogging
than comparable stainless steel and brass nozzles;
important in a low maintenance system. In addition,
there is an inline filter between the reservoir and
the pump and a filter screen inside the nozzle as
an added barrier to clogging. Both are
user-serviceable.
Q:
I've got an RV and want to cool a large area. How
many nozzles can I
use?
A:
Given an adequate water supply, you can use as many
nozzles as the situation permits. For an RV or any
mobile vehicle, MPC is the only answer when air
conditioning is not an option.
Q:
Will the MPC pump be damaged if the fluid reservoir
becomes empty?
A:
Unlike the pumps used in other water mist systems,
an MPC pump can run dry without damage. However,
prolonged operation without water is not
recommended.
Q:
Where can I mount the pump/pressure accumulator
assembly?
A:
Due to the versatility of the system, the
pump/pressure accumulator can be mounted in any
area of a vehicle. For increased flexibility, the
two components can be mounted in separate locations
and connected with a longer hose. Other water mist
systems require mounting the pump below the water
supply for proper system priming. The MPC pump has
no such installation limitation.
Q:
What does the MPC system
weigh?
A:
MPC system components total 8 pounds dry. As water
weighs approximately 8 pounds/gallon, a full 2.5
gallon reservoir will weigh 21 pounds. However,
components can be installed in any location, and if
desired, multiple fluid reservoirs can be used to
optimize weight distribution.
Q:
How can I keep the fluid from
freezing?
A:
To prevent system damage from freezing, treat the
MPC system like the windshield washer system. Use a
mixture of alcohol and water (same constituents as
commercial windshield washer fluid).
Q:
Can I use the MPC system to inject a water mist
into my engine for
intercooling?
A:
Water injection can provide a margin of safety to
reduce the likelihood of engine-damaging detonation
- especially critical in turbocharged or
supercharged engines running high levels of boost.
The basic components of an MPC system are ideally
suited for this purpose. However, the resin nozzles
are not ideal for this application. Special-purpose
nozzles may be available in the future. Please
inquire.
Q:
Why spray an
intercooler?
A:
The process of pressurizing the intake air with a
supercharger or a turbocharger increases horsepower
and torque. This process also increases the charge
air temperature. High temperatures inside the
combusition chamber can lead to detonation, an
uncontrolled explosion whose shock waves can break
piston rings and pistons. An intercooler helps
reduce the temperature of the compressed air/fuel
mixture which reduces the tendency to detonate.
With a reduced tendency toward detonation, engine
life increases. In addition, with this added safety
margin, an engine tuner can increase the boost
pressure for additional power.
Intercooling,
or spraying a water mist directly inside the
engine, is one method of reducing detonation. Using
MPC to spray a fine mist on the exterior of an
intercooler
can also increase its heat reduction efficiency.
During regular engine operation, the intercooler
acts as a large heat sink, absorbing heat from
surrounding engine components. The MPC mist reduces
the heat in the intercooler which reduces heat
transfer to the intake air.
Q:
Is there a device that recognizes engine boost to
automatically spray my turbocharger intercooler?
A:
An optional, adjustable pressure sensor
automatically energizes the system whenever the
engine develops boost pressure. We recommend
remotely mounting the pressure sensor for easier
access and a cooler operating
environment.
Q:
Can I automatically energize the system according
to temperature?
A:
Yes. Another switching option is an adjustable
thermostatic switch that can energize the nozzle
circuit depending on the desired temperature
turn-on setting. Thus, if the oil temperature
becomes marginal, the MPC system can begin spraying
an oil cooler or coolant radiator at the desired
switch-on temperature setting. MPC can also
increase the efficiency of an air conditioning
condenser.
Q:
Can I have branch circuits cooling different parts
in my vehicle?
A:
Yes.
Order the solenoid valve kit to independently
control a branch circuit from the pump. For
example: Use the pump switch to mist the radiator
and an independent branch circuit to cool the
intercooler.
Q:
What's the purpose of the quick-disconnect fluid
hose assembly?
A:
The MPC quick-disconnect hose assembly allows quick
and convenient water reservoir/filter removal for
easy filling and service and with no-drip water
loss.
Q:
Why use a collapsible fluid
reservoir?
A:
Although any type of fluid storage container can be
used, the collapsible bag is rugged, lightweight
and can fit in odd shaped spaces in a
vehicle.
Q:
How do I use MPC to cool my
brakes?
A:
To reduce brake system temperatures, direct a
misting nozzle into each brake cooling duct. Do not
spray the brake components directly as this will
create steam rather than reduce air temperature.
The nozzle circuit is energized by using the
existing brake pedal brake/master cylinder switch.
This results in a water mist only when the brake
pedal is depressed. Brake
cooling application
Q:
Can I use MPC for personal
cooling?
A:
Since the water mist lowers air temperature
approximately 15-20 degrees, the MPC system can be
used to create a more comfortable personal
environment, ideal for open air vehicles where air
conditioning or 110VAC is not available. This
includes fork lifts and other warehouse vehicles,
tractors, golf carts, off-road vehicles,
wheelchairs or any other mobile vehicle.
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