a toad that has AC that runs hours for pets
in this thread about toads, the issue is raised of bringing pets with you in your toad and how to keep them cool in heat while you leave the vehicle to sight see, eat, shop, or anything else where ani...
Forum Discussion
I Have owned a lot of cars and trucks in the 7 years I have owned dogs. My two 3500 diesel trucks did not use much fuel to run the AC. I would leave the motor off if I was parked for 5 minutes or less. If I was using my truck camper it would provide enough shade to allow me eight or nine minutes, but I never parked in a location where I could not see them at all times.
Mt two Lexus hybrids were equipped with an electric AG which would allow the AC to run a long time on battery power. After the battery ran low the engine would start up and run the AC while it charged the Battery the engine would cycle on and off.
The one car that was the perfect dog car was my Chevy Volt. A few years ago I had to go to a pistol range to qualify for my SC permit, it was a warm day probably in the high to mid 90s. There was a large group of people and the size of the group made a 15 minute task take well over two hours 9three hours when you include filling out the forms and paperwork) and I had my Volt parked in the shade under a tree. Someone became worried about the dogs being locked in the car with the windows up and that’s when I told them my dogs were a lot cooler in the car with the windows up than they were outside. I drove 15 miles to the range, let the car sit for about three hours with the A/C running and drove another 15 miles for me to get home and still had about 60% of the batteries charge remaining. I probably used about two to three dollars worth of electricity.
Here is the downside. On a shopping trip to Walmart I left the dogs in the car with the temps in the high 90s. I came out to my Volt in 20 to 30 minutes and as soon as I stepped outside I saw a cop car parked next to my car and the officer was standing next to my Volt. I went into panic mode because I was worried the officer was going to break a window to “SAVE” my dogs. I waved but could not get his attention so I ran over as fast as my 65 could carry me. Fortunately the officer used common sense and observed the dogs for any signs of distress and did not break a window.
The downside of an electric car with an electric A/C is that it is quiet. A well meaning passer by may break the window to save the dogs when the fact is a open or broken window will make it worst for the dogs by letting the heat in.
After the Walmart incident I printed up two large signs to put in the windows to let any concerned citizens know the dogs are cool and safe, I also put a thermometer in a place where anyone worried about the dogs are able to see the temperature inside the car. I loved my Volt but when the new C7 Stingray came out I had to get rid of the Volt to make room for the Vette. Used Volts are pretty cheap and they would make an excellent toad.
Mt two Lexus hybrids were equipped with an electric AG which would allow the AC to run a long time on battery power. After the battery ran low the engine would start up and run the AC while it charged the Battery the engine would cycle on and off.
The one car that was the perfect dog car was my Chevy Volt. A few years ago I had to go to a pistol range to qualify for my SC permit, it was a warm day probably in the high to mid 90s. There was a large group of people and the size of the group made a 15 minute task take well over two hours 9three hours when you include filling out the forms and paperwork) and I had my Volt parked in the shade under a tree. Someone became worried about the dogs being locked in the car with the windows up and that’s when I told them my dogs were a lot cooler in the car with the windows up than they were outside. I drove 15 miles to the range, let the car sit for about three hours with the A/C running and drove another 15 miles for me to get home and still had about 60% of the batteries charge remaining. I probably used about two to three dollars worth of electricity.
Here is the downside. On a shopping trip to Walmart I left the dogs in the car with the temps in the high 90s. I came out to my Volt in 20 to 30 minutes and as soon as I stepped outside I saw a cop car parked next to my car and the officer was standing next to my Volt. I went into panic mode because I was worried the officer was going to break a window to “SAVE” my dogs. I waved but could not get his attention so I ran over as fast as my 65 could carry me. Fortunately the officer used common sense and observed the dogs for any signs of distress and did not break a window.
The downside of an electric car with an electric A/C is that it is quiet. A well meaning passer by may break the window to save the dogs when the fact is a open or broken window will make it worst for the dogs by letting the heat in.
After the Walmart incident I printed up two large signs to put in the windows to let any concerned citizens know the dogs are cool and safe, I also put a thermometer in a place where anyone worried about the dogs are able to see the temperature inside the car. I loved my Volt but when the new C7 Stingray came out I had to get rid of the Volt to make room for the Vette. Used Volts are pretty cheap and they would make an excellent toad.
