Opening the small, triangular windows?

[brpeterson]

It is starting to warm-up where I live and my Insight seems to get really warm, I think the glass on the hatch is like a little solar trap. I don't want to run the AC and when I open the widows it is very loud at highway speed. That made me think that the small, triangular windows would be great if you could open them. I had this idea of hinging them like the back (not on the hatch, but next to the passeners in the back row) window of a minivan. Does anybody know much about glass? You would need to attach the hinges to a strong point and then drill the glass, or maybe you could glue the hinges on? Any ideas/comments/suggestions?

[figgy]

That sounds like a great idea to try out. If it were not loud, it might really work well.

I am using solar powered fans to push air out through the rear, but your idea sounds even better.

I wonder if there is negative pressure there which would suck the hot air out as you drive?

[james]

"You would need to attach the hinges to a strong point and then drill the glass..."

I think it's probably tempered glass, so it will shatter into little bits if you try to drill or cut it.

Glue might work, though.

[brpeterson]

Thanks for the ideas. I know that on a minivan there is a bolt through the window. Do you think they make the wondow with the hole, rather than drill it? Thanks

[devin1955]

Originally Posted by james

"You would need to attach the hinges to a strong point and then drill the glass..."

I think it's probably tempered glass, so it will shatter into little bits if you try to drill or cut it.

There are special drill bits made just for glass and ceramic. They work quite well. Not sure if tempered glass is an issue.

Here's what they look like:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... Id=1291710

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

I believe They use tempered glass on almost all auto glass, as a safety requirement. My experience says don't try to drill it even with the special bits. I believe they drill the holes then temper the glass when a hole is necessary.
Might try the glue that they use for rear view mirror attachment, probably an epoxy. And get some nice thick hinges.
Pretty hard to get a good rain seal if the rubber is not designed for it.

[james]

"There are special drill bits made just for glass and ceramic. They work quite well. Not sure if tempered glass is an issue."

Yeah, it is, at least according to what I found on the subject. There's a thread in "General Discussion" about spots in the rear deck glass that got me interested.

Basically, tempered glass is made by cooling the surfaces of the glass much faster than the inside. That sets up internal stresses that have two effects. First, the stresses hold the piece together, making a whole that's considerably stronger than ordinary glass. Second, whenever there's a crack or chip large enough to penetrate the outer stressed layers, the energy bound up in the internal stress causes the crack to propagate throughout the piece, so that it shatters into the little pea-sized pieces we've all seen after accidents. This is a good thing for safety reasons - no large sharp edges flying around - but it also means the glass can't be cut or drilled.

[boogetyboogety]

The windows sit on a channel on the metal body, so compressible seals would have to be manufactured... the hinge would have to be adhered on because of the tempered glass, but could be covered by the black metal piece on the front... the opening cammed gadget is readily available... it would take some engineering and $$$, but it seems feasible... develop it, and sell me a kit, I'll buy one!

[ilusnforc]

you know what... just say screw it with the glass...

Go with plexi-glass, very easy to cut and drill, lighter and more durable. Should be a lot easier to work with than glass. You can buy it at just about any hardware store... (Lowes, Home Depot)