Needing final supplies and recommendations for persons flying into Reno. Looking for best value, best convenience, light weight, compact, and reliable. Nothing too fancy, we just want to live in relative comfort and self-sufficiency, and items that are either easy to ship, pack, or pick up near Reno. All of the things needed are starting to get expensive, so any help in finding the best value and the most efficient ideas is really appreciated.
Seen many good ideas scattered about in this site. However it is scattered info that needs a full time librarian to organize. So here are some things I can share and also ask for clarification from all of you.
Secure Stakes - The screw in dog stakes look really good and cost about $2.20 each, and some guy says they are better than re-bar. Anyone else know where to get them at a cheaper price?
Water Bags - Can hold water and then be rolled up when done.
Where is the best place to buy for price?
Shade Material - Any really good specific sources of material for like a 20' dia. dome?
Car/SUV Rental - Many rental places do not allow towing or putting things on roof of the rental. Do you know of any places that do? Does anyone know good tips on transporting 10 foot EMT 1" dia tubing on top of a jeep or SUV? ( Three to four tubes.)
Gray Water - Do we have to bring all the supplies to make a grey water evap area?
Solar Panels & Batteries - Where is the best place to get solar panels and batteries near Reno. We are looking for just enough power to turn on some lights for an art installation. And we need some power supplies that take up only about 1' x 2' x 3' worth of space.
Light Strips & Spot Lights - What type of lights are the best and most affordable that can be run off of 12 V battery power system that is charged from solar panels during the day? Again, looking for something that is sufficient, compact, and does not have to be the greatest thing. The lights are not the main attraction of the art installation.
Efficiency Camp - Final Planning & Buying
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EricMagic
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Efficiency Camp - Final Planning & Buying
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Relax, Be Bold, Dream, Live Large, Elevate
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Relax, Be Bold, Dream, Live Large, Elevate
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I wouldn't mess with water bags. Just get 1 or 2.5 gallon jugs on the drive up.
20' dome will be tough to do. Too big to get on the plane except maybe by paying extra cargo fees. The standard way to make a dome is to cut, flatten, and drill 3/4" EMT. Doing that on site would be tough. Maybe use PVC held together with zip ties instead? You can cut it in the store before you buy and "drill" holes with a pocket knife. Here's another compact shade solution:
http://www.formandreform.com/blackrock/ ... /index.htm
You need some way to collect and haul out gray water. A Walmart kiddie pool and pump to get the water back into the origional jugs would be sufficient.
Solar is expensive and difficult. There are recent threads for it and batteries.
How are they going to stop you from putting things on the roof of the rental car? If asked, say you have no idea how those scratches got there. Put some cloth underneath them and strap them down real tight.
20' dome will be tough to do. Too big to get on the plane except maybe by paying extra cargo fees. The standard way to make a dome is to cut, flatten, and drill 3/4" EMT. Doing that on site would be tough. Maybe use PVC held together with zip ties instead? You can cut it in the store before you buy and "drill" holes with a pocket knife. Here's another compact shade solution:
http://www.formandreform.com/blackrock/ ... /index.htm
You need some way to collect and haul out gray water. A Walmart kiddie pool and pump to get the water back into the origional jugs would be sufficient.
Solar is expensive and difficult. There are recent threads for it and batteries.
How are they going to stop you from putting things on the roof of the rental car? If asked, say you have no idea how those scratches got there. Put some cloth underneath them and strap them down real tight.
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Bob
- Posts: 6747
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- Burning Since: 1986
- Camp Name: Royaneh
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Twin City Surplus, 1675 E. 4th St., Reno
http://www.twincitysurplus.com/
Wouldn't bring goat stakes unless you're staking a goat.
http://www.twincitysurplus.com/
Wouldn't bring goat stakes unless you're staking a goat.
Amazing desert structures & stuff: http://sites.google.com/site/potatotrap/
"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
avoid the screw type stakes
I tried those screw type stakes last year. of the three one went in great, one didn't go in at all, and the third, well is sort of worked. the playa is weird in that some areas are hard like concrete and some are like packed sand. depeneding on where you are, the screws may or may not go in. A 2ft long rebar stake will always work in everything, mostly because of the lenght.
also rebar is cheap, availble in any size you want from home despot, and hammers abound on the playa if you don't want to bring one.
As far as dome shade material, i have the same problem. last year I got a 24ft army surplus parachute on ebay, for $20. It is awesome for a 10-12 foot dome. this year my 20ft dome needs two to be mostly covered if there isn't going to be a 3ft high strip around the bottom that's unprotected. the parachutes on ebay are now going for 50-60 if you can find them. otherwise, home depot again sells material for gardening, in various shading levels, but I don't know the price. hope that helps.
also rebar is cheap, availble in any size you want from home despot, and hammers abound on the playa if you don't want to bring one.
As far as dome shade material, i have the same problem. last year I got a 24ft army surplus parachute on ebay, for $20. It is awesome for a 10-12 foot dome. this year my 20ft dome needs two to be mostly covered if there isn't going to be a 3ft high strip around the bottom that's unprotected. the parachutes on ebay are now going for 50-60 if you can find them. otherwise, home depot again sells material for gardening, in various shading levels, but I don't know the price. hope that helps.
time wounds all heels - groucho marx