Helmet Issues

[UOURacing]

As the new owner of a forced air helmet, I had a couple of questions. What is the best anti fog preparation for helmet visors? Also, I have never used a forced air helmet in other motorsports, I would imagine that it would help prevent fogging once hooked up to a pumper, does it?

[FullsizeFun]

you dont get fog with a pumper

[OldStroppeTeam]

Our drivers use rain-x on both sides. It helps keep dust from sticking quite so bad. I know the pumper is supposed to keep dust out, but it still sneaks in somehow..and I have had issues with fogging, even in a pumper helmet .

[AZ45]

Make sure there is some of the fresh air blowing up onto the visor, sometimes you need to create an air outlet on the top of the chin bar. Depending on the helmet brand, you can also get breath deflectors that help.

Jeff
www.upr.com

[retroblazer]

I hate to keep sticking this in my helmet responses, but as the developer and past owner for fifteen years of Fresh Air Systems, I have a fair amount of experiance in this area. First, the notion that just because you have a hose hooked-up to your helmet, it won't fog isn't true. Some helmets have no air flow being directed at the sheild. A typical Cup driver has no need to prevent fogging since the in car temps average 120-130 degrees. So they have all the air directed at their mouthes. Most of the Bell helmets are set-up this way. Even the G-Force air helmet, which suppose to have some air directed at the shield, could stand some improvement. I got a new one for the 1000, and while I was installing the radio, I added a couple of foam strips to space out the padding at the base of the shield to get more air flow on the shield. So, yes, helmets themselves are a factor. Almost all of them without exception, can be improved upon.
The second element of fogging is mechanical. One of the biggest mistakes is to run one blower for two people. If you have a standard blower and your helmet has been modified, and you still fog, move up to a 150cfm blower. Ours had an 11/2 outlet and hose. This is expecially nice with the G-Force helmet because you get airflow over the top of your head and it really helps on hot days. Too long of a hose can hurt. If the filter gets filled with silt during the day, there's a much better chance it will fog at night. I have also experimented with moving the air pick-up for the blower to a warmer area. Not good during the day, but on a cold night in the mountains of Baja, it helps. Enough babble, if anybody has any specific questions, I'm happy to respond.

[patcsg]

Chris,
I want to congratulate you on the 2nd. Lance and I were patiently waiting for Scott and John at RM328 to take over the #302 Endeavor Bronco. Unfortunately that didn't happen.

As a helmet painter and racer I have been critical of helmet designs. As you said most can be improved upon. I was fortunate to get sponsorship from Bell and got the new Bell Vortex TFA (top forced air) helmet and it works great and is extremely comfortable. http://bellracing.com/productdetail.asp?sec=product&catid=2&prodid=7
Also, the new Simpson Air Inforcer (Shark and Voyager models) works well.

[TUBETECK]

I dont have an issue with fogging inside my helet but I do have aproblem with dust creepin inside the visor. If I modify or space out the foam under the visor do you think that will cure my problem? Also I have used rain-x on my helmet and it seems to help with the dust on the outside making it easier to wipe off but I have'nt tried it on the inside yet.

[AZ45]

Depending on the helmet, you can easily add another seal. We sometimes use 2 seals for Bell when the shield has gaps on an older helmet. If it's a Shoei with a rubber seal, I'm not sure if you can do much about it.

If you can't stop fogging with air-flow, anti-fog shileds are available.

We have seal kist at UPR if you need one.

Jeff
www.upr.com

[TUBETECK]

What is sealkist? My new helmet will be a pyroteck. Is the double seal needed on a new helmet or just an old one?

[AZ45]

Sorry, seal kit.

It's another strip of the foam that you should already have.
If the helmet is new you shouldn't really need one, but if they're gaps put another foam seal around the one that came from the factory. We have them, or who ever you baught the helmet from may have them as well.

Jeff
www.upr.com

[hammer down racing]

I use Rain-X antifog on the inside and regular Rain-X on the outside. This has worked great for me. I think the Rain-X on the outside helped when I had a powersteering line spray my visor. Also with the Rain-X on the outside you can wipe dust off your visor with your sleeve without streaking the visor.

[TUBETECK]

Jeff: Thanks for the info. I decided to go with a HJC helmet instead, but your advice about the second seal will come into play. I have a gap in the top of my visor, but I'm not sure if the fresh air will blow the dust out or not? Testing in a week that will tell me for sure.

[Patricio]

My girlfriend got the same HJC helmet and she is really happy with it. We got it at Parker Pumper and they changed the seal around the visor and put a really thick one that seals all the way around. They also got rid of the locking feature and put on there own so it would seal tight. I am sure if you take it to them they will do it for you or I can post you some pics.

[TUBETECK]

Send me the pics and info where you had it done.