How do you create insulation around your tent?

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:17 pm

That's either Random Thoughts or My Mind Begins to Hum ... let's not hijack the thread anymore, m'kay?

(big dogs, landing on my face)

And I apologize for the snarky tone, there's been much cross-discussion lately and I'm hyper-alert at the moment.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:40 am

ziptie wrote:
gyre wrote:If you're building a small dome, you might consider a solid panel dome.
That maximizes the strength of the design, unlike the frame with fabric type.

Drawback of a solid-panel dome being that there's more material to transport...And assembly of a tube-style is generally easier. I had great success with a car-based shade structure made of three-foot cardboard tubes gleaned from the silkscreening company I used to work for. I punched holes in the ends and zipstripped 'em together in geodesic patterns, and then covered with tarps and shadecloth. At week's end I cut out all of the zips and burned the tubes.
If you prefer to go solid, how about making panels by spraygluing Mylar onto foam insulation panels? (Don't use styrofoam! If it breaks it creates billions of MOOP crumbs. Use "the blue stuff".)

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:04 am

What is the 'blue stuff'?

I would use rigid polyurethane myself.
There is a construction styrofoam which is pretty impressive though.

honeyfire · Post by **honeyfire** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:05 am

That concern you have about the shiny factor to aluminum flashing is very very valid.

Pretty much everyone in line of sight will hate you...

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:20 am

honeyfire wrote:That concern you have about the shiny factor to aluminum flashing is very very valid.

Pretty much everyone in line of sight will hate you...

Of course, they won't be able to see who you are.

somekind · Post by **somekind** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:46 pm

I like the domes covered with CD rom discs. They're pretty and colorful.

Personally, I like to set my tent next to a truck or RV to block the morning sun. That way I don't wake up in a sweat puddle. I'm NEVER in my tent in the afternoon/evening, so that side isn't as important. I can take a nap in the shade anywhere.

Gabbles · Post by **Gabbles** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:21 pm

My idea doesnt seem like such a good one.

I thought it would be smart to put reflective materials on my tent.
Something more subtle on the sides, as to not blind everyone (like silver sequins, sewn on), and over top a silver tarp.

I also intend to paint the sides of my tent with glow in the dark paint...which even after this i think is a good plan.

Looking over this i feel a little silly thinking this would work.
It wouldnt, would it?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:19 pm

I would use single surfaced gold foil if I could.
There have been solid aluminet domes and mirror finished trailers.
Most tents won't reflect enough in a single direction to be as bad.

I don't know about glow in the dark.
Sort of a decorative issue.
Did you see the stuff that is supposed to provide it's own glow?
The standard glow in the dark stuff I've used was water based, but I have seen some that is not and even in stick-on strips.
There's elwire, of course.
They claim the new glow stuff is as good.

Gabbles · Post by **Gabbles** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:39 pm

[i][quote="gyre"]I would use single surfaced gold foil if I could.
There have been solid aluminet domes and mirror finished trailers.
Most tents won't reflect enough in a single direction to be as bad.

I don't know about glow in the dark.
Sort of a decorative issue.
Did you see the stuff that is supposed to provide it's own glow?
The standard glow in the dark stuff I've used was water based, but I have seen some that is not and even in stick-on strips.
There's elwire, of course.
They claim the new glow stuff is as good.[/quote][/i]

Oh, Hmm, i guess that WOULD work, wouldnt it?
The glow in the dark stuff i was thinking off was supposed to provide its own glow, yes. Generated from the sun, and i figure if its sitting in the sun all day, it should last a reasonable amount of time (maybe even too long if im trying to sleep). I was going to test it out. I actually have a pretty elaborate intentions for my tents decoration that is supposed to double as practical uses.

The glow in the dark was an aesthetic choice secondly, but i initially thought it would help me distinguish my tent at night. It would be something that held tightly in my visual memory. I also wanted my tent to be a bit of a creative haven if for some reason i felt i had to be in it.

The sequins, i guess more accurately named as paillettes, are going to be attached to the vertical/sloped sides of my tent so that they'd still reflect light (and hopefully heat?), but not too bright, and obviously for decoration. Im pretty sure its going to end up looking like a fish if i end up using colored paillettes, which i think i will. (which i will also probably make a costume to match)

I just rambled.
Excitement of a new kid.

I guess im just wondering if this is PRACTICAL. if theyre going to be functional in the way i hope.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:13 am

Practical?

People do all kinds of stuff to their tents.

There is some glowie stuff that is self powered.

Just make sure any sequins can't come off or you'll have to pick them all up.

regionalchaos · Post by **regionalchaos** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:00 pm

The last time I went, I pitched my tent inside of a bug screen canopy structure. It was slightly larger then my tent by a few inches on each side. It had a solid nylon roof and a mesh screen for walls. It worked great. The tent was definitely cooler then years past. I think the pocket of air does a lot to insulate the tent. This year I am bringing a costco car port, and pitching my tent under that. I'm also going to pitch it right next to my box truck, so that the large box will block the morning sun light. I want to sleep in!

Gabbles · Post by **Gabbles** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:56 pm

[quote="gyre"]Practical?

People do all kinds of stuff to their tents.

There is some glowie stuff that is self powered.

Just make sure any sequins can't come off or you'll have to pick them all up.[/quote]

yeah i intend to sew them on really well and individually. If im unsure of the stability of that once i see it and can test it, my plan b was to secure them with staples, with diligent attention to quality adhesion.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:46 pm

2 layers over the tent (or dome) cover, 12" space between the tent and layer 1, and another 6-12" space between layer 1 and 2. I liked using a patchwork made from Moving Blankets as layer one, and heavy (70% or better) aluminet as the outermost layer. I also highly recommend setting the tent up with breeze holes low to the ground so you can catch crossbreezes as they come up, before they get too strong, without getting too dusted in the process (and still be prepared to close them when the shamaal hits).... Also those battery operated fans, set up to get a breeze going IN your tent work well.

Additional stuff - a vent hole in the top of the tent to let the heat escape to the "inner" layer and fromt here, gone.

Remember, there is wind -prepare and tie down as necessary to maintain your spacing, and kee your stuff from blowing away...

The key is to block the sun from heating up the middle insulation and the tent (dome) wall, and having an airspace to allow air to remove the trapped heat between the layers, and to get the heat from the TOP of your dome out..

bb

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:47 pm

Gabbles wrote:
gyre wrote:Practical?

People do all kinds of stuff to their tents.

There is some glowie stuff that is self powered.

Just make sure any sequins can't come off or you'll have to pick them all up.
yeah i intend to sew them on really well and individually. If im unsure of the stability of that once i see it and can test it, my plan b was to secure them with staples, with diligent attention to quality adhesion.

Enable the bbcode on your profile.
Preview to see if it works.
I recommend enabling email too.

Here's a description of the glow stuff.
http://www.glopaint.com/ResearchDevelopment.htm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12 ... _glows.php
http://www.physorg.com/news116776284.html
Tritium power?
Nevada's already radioactive anyway.

Gabbles · Post by **Gabbles** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:36 pm

gyre wrote:
Gabbles wrote:
gyre wrote:Practical?

People do all kinds of stuff to their tents.

There is some glowie stuff that is self powered.

Just make sure any sequins can't come off or you'll have to pick them all up.
yeah i intend to sew them on really well and individually. If im unsure of the stability of that once i see it and can test it, my plan b was to secure them with staples, with diligent attention to quality adhesion.
Enable the bbcode on your profile.
Preview to see if it works.
I recommend enabling email too.

Here's a description of the glow stuff.
http://www.glopaint.com/ResearchDevelopment.htm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12 ... _glows.php
http://www.physorg.com/news116776284.html
Tritium power?
Nevada's already radioactive anyway.

Oh thank GOD. i was trying to figure out why all of that wasnt working. Absolutely frustrating!

At any rate, the glow stuff you posted about is actually what im purchasing for everything i can manage to get it on (my tent, bike, etc).
So im excited that its being supported so enthusiastically.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:03 am

Is it actually on the market now? The self powered stuff?
There seems to be some disagreement about how bright it is.
Have you seen any?

The stuff I have used in the past was fascinating but very dim compared to elwire, for instance.

I had the impression it wasn't yet available?

Smudge · Post by **Smudge** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:13 pm

Aluminet shade cloth.

Keeps out a lot of IR
Allows lots of airflow.
Allows some level of seeing through.
Not terribly cheap but it's light and won't tax the flimsy structure of your average camping tent either from its weight or wind drag.

really nice stuff

Gabbles · Post by **Gabbles** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:30 pm

gyre wrote:Is it actually on the market now? The self powered stuff?
There seems to be some disagreement about how bright it is.
Have you seen any?

The stuff I have used in the past was fascinating but very dim compared to elwire, for instance.

I had the impression it wasn't yet available?

Ah i was misled. The picture they used for that article was the same used for an example image for a product on a site im using. But the stuff im thinking of is probably just generated by sun, which i know there will be more than enough on the playa

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:56 pm

Unless it has become brighter, it won't be enough for marking a bike.
On a tent, try it and see what you think.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:00 pm

You might like the diamond grade 3M reflective.
This is the same as the truck reflectors.
It is available in solid colors and is very strong stuff.
It is designed for vertical flat orientation in horizontal or vertical alignment, but still outperforms thinner material on a curved surface.
It also lasts in sunlight.
Not cheap, but it works.

sharpstick · Post by **sharpstick** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:29 am

gyre wrote:
Gabbles wrote:
gyre wrote:Practical?

There is some glowie stuff that is self powered.

Here's a description of the glow stuff.
http://www.glopaint.com/ResearchDevelopment.htm
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12 ... _glows.php
http://www.physorg.com/news116776284.html
Tritium power?
Nevada's already radioactive anyway.

i was researching this stuff a while back. as far as i could tell, it isn't very bright. the new rare earth glow powder is probably better. (not to be confused with the old GID stuff that's been around forever.)

How do you create insulation around your tent?

My eyes! Myy EEEYYYEEEESSS!!!!

Re: My eyes! Myy EEEYYYEEEESSS!!!!