cooling your tent or van

[FIGJAM]

I had an idea on fans to throw out there.....
Instead of messing with a big battery and having to charge it, what about using one of those battery operated camping tent fans?
Im not sure how good they are on little batteries, but maybe it'd be worth it?

Most of those don't move enough air.

If you use your cooler 2 to 5 hours a day, you may not need to recharge.

If my trike did'nt use so much, I would'nt have to.

The main variable is the size of the space.

That determands the size cooler you need and how much power you will use.

[HandJamMasterC]

I already have 2 battery powered fans that use 4 D cells. Works ok as a fan, but I don't think it will move nearly enough air for a swamp cooler, which is why I ordered the solar fan .

[percussivepaul]

HandJamMasterC, I was curious about that -- how do the little battery fans feel? Like if I don't manage to get this swamp cooler going, could I get at least a little comfort from a battery fan, or are they not worth the money?

[HandJamMasterC]

They work pretty well to keep the air moving in your tent. Your sweat becomes the evaporating water in your own personal swamp cooler system !
Get the biggest diameter fan you can find, to move the most air. My mistake, the fans I have use 8 D cells each, which can last a long time.
These are decent -

http://www.walmart.com/ip/10-Portable-F ... r/10817194

[FIGJAM]

I tested the 02cool fan when building the first bucket cooler.

Not good enough for a cooler, but a good fan.

Says it will run 72 hours on 1 set of batteries.

[ConnieH]

A friend used a battery fan (similar to 02Cool fan) last year at BM and felt that it made a difference in her tent. YMMV since last year was a cool year.

Anything that moves air will help, but to get that cool air from the evaporation in your bucket you need a fan that's going to suck it out of the bucket - so more cfm and static pressure are key.

[FIGJAM]

These are great fans for the bucket coolers.

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g36/c43 ... d=s3e6UkF3

Thanks to Connie!

[ConnieH]

So is this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-ULTRA-KAZE ... 62&sr=8-11

[zupermike]

I just finished my first bucket cooler. let me know what you think. I can't do a good test since the air here in Orange County isn't dry enough but the pad is soaked and I can feel the air being sucked though it. I used the HF solar pump and two computer fans. The large fan mounted to the lid is an Antec Bigboy 200 (I think) and then a smaller Antec fan attached to the end of the duct. Has anyone else tried two fans like this? I found a cheap plastic bowl for a duct and mounted a small box with toggles to control the pump and fans. Next step is to get a good deep cycle battery. Any recommendations on a good battery?

[FIGJAM]

I read somewhere that costco was selling a 115ah deep cycle for $80.

If you can find that, or something simmilar, it should last all week if you use the cooler 4 or 5 hours a day.

Very nice job!

[FIGJAM]

New bump.

[Asherbeez]

Whew... I made it! Though 20 pages later and I still have a question. I'm planning on using the HF solar pump and a Scythe Ultra Kaze fan. I plan to go with one of the cheaper 12 Ah batteries for this year as it will only be me and, much like Connie, I plan to use the cooler minimally (read 1-2 hours/day all week) and going 100% solar just isn't going to happen. It was mentioned that running a non Li battery all the way down may hurt it. Hurt how? Also, is there a point where the output will drop off significantly rendering my system useless (aside from the battery being completely dead)?

[Asherbeez]

Also, it was lightly touched upon last year and tested quantitatively, but the addition of a second fan in series (inline) will only add to the pressure of the system not the flow. To increase flow, as some have discovered, the fans need to be parallel feeding the same duct.

[FIGJAM]

Everything I read on the net says not to discharge your lead acid battery below 50% or it will shorten its life.

Mounting your fans side by side will double the air flow.

[andreas97]

First off, thanks to all of you for the awesome info here!
Been following this thread for a while now... but now had to actually make myself an account to ask a question.

Did anyone come to a yay/nay conclusion on whether or not the 5gal version with the scythe fans and HF solar pump will cool a hexayurt on the playa?
(Specifically a standard 8 foot)

Wanted to make a spot in our camp both to nap and for people to chill if they get overheated.

[FIGJAM]

I think it will do the job.

If you can calculate how much cubic feet of space you are cooling and divide that by the cfm of your fan and your answer is between 3 and 5, it will work.

If you can create a vent hole near the peak of the roof so the air can cycle out at the same rate that it enters from the fan, thats perfect!

[sjs]

What, if anything, are people using to fasten different plastic pieces to each other? (For instance, the plastic bowl to the top of the bucket)

I tried "Gorilla Glue" but it's basically worthless for this task.

[FIGJAM]

I used 100% silicone caulk.

If you want a better bond, use Goop.

Sand the bucket to get a good bond.

[ConnieH]

First off, thanks to all of you for the awesome info here!
Been following this thread for a while now... but now had to actually make myself an account to ask a question.

Did anyone come to a yay/nay conclusion on whether or not the 5gal version with the scythe fans and HF solar pump will cool a hexayurt on the playa?
(Specifically a standard 8 foot)

Wanted to make a spot in our camp both to nap and for people to chill if they get overheated.

My experience last year in a standard 8 foot hexayurt was that the 5 gallon cooler didn't exactly cool the entire yurt, but I positioned the vent right above our sleeping space, so I could lay there and have the cool air blow over me - it was heaven and allowed me to nap at 3pm Last year was a mild year, so it will be interesting to see what this year brings. Also, I remember the air above 4-5 feet was warm in the yurt - my window vents are right below the 4' band line, so adding a vent on the roof might help this. But for napping - yes, it works!

[ConnieH]

What, if anything, are people using to fasten different plastic pieces to each other? (For instance, the plastic bowl to the top of the bucket)

I tried "Gorilla Glue" but it's basically worthless for this task.

I used zip ties and sealed with duct tape, worked great.

[Foxfur]

What, if anything, are people using to fasten different plastic pieces to each other? (For instance, the plastic bowl to the top of the bucket)

I tried "Gorilla Glue" but it's basically worthless for this task.

I used zip ties and sealed with duct tape, worked great.

I love it Connie!
I read this thread, from page 1, before I joined and have kept up on it since.
I have enjoyed watching you go from questions about how to build it to offering other people advice on building theirs.
You're amazing!

Ff

[HandJamMasterC]

The solar fan from Nothern Tools came - it's one big ass fan !!

[zupermike]

What, if anything, are people using to fasten different plastic pieces to each other? (For instance, the plastic bowl to the top of the bucket)

I tried "Gorilla Glue" but it's basically worthless for this task.

I used Goop to attach my bowl to the lid. I also used it to attach my big fan and to attach the piece of metal duct to the bowl. You can't see the metal duct attachment piece in the picture but it is under the large hose clamp that is holding the flex duct in place. I also used the ziptie with tape over method to hold the small fan in place on the end of the flex.

[zupermike]

Everything I read on the net says not to discharge your lead acid battery below 50% or it will shorten its life.

Mounting your fans side by side will double the air flow.

So am I doing it wrong by having my fans inline with each other? It seems that I don't get enough air flow with just the one fan due to the bends in the flex. I know I won't get more flow than my fan that moves the most air but am I hurting the performance by having two fans? It definitely feels like more air but again it's hard to test when the air is not so dry here. What's your opinion on my fan setup? Thanks again.

mike

[FIGJAM]

If the fans are the same cfm, you may be creating more pressure, but not adding cfm.

Connie tested hers by stacking the fans, then putting them side by side.

The side by side added cfm.

Shade clothe deffanitly affects air flow.

I,m gonna post details on my final design on the bucket cooler that include everything I learned in this process, including a key factor that Connie pointed out. (Thanks Connie!)

[ConnieH]

you guys are too kind...really I'm just a good student under everyone's tutelage (especially Figgy), and like to pass on the knowledge of our trials and errors. This is probably the best thread ever

[FIGJAM]

you guys are too kind...really I'm just a good student under everyone's tutelage (especially Figgy), and like to pass on the knowledge of our trials and errors. This is probably the best thread ever

Is it my turn to blush?

[andreas97]

I,m gonna post details on my final design on the bucket cooler that include everything I learned in this process, including a key factor that Connie pointed out. (Thanks Connie!)

I'm looking forward to it!!
I'm still piecing mine together, so, I shall await your advice before I grab any more parts.

[andreas97]

I meant to ask... has anyone found a good place online to order the Duracool pads?

Anyplace I've found, once shipping is factored in, it's over $25!

[FIGJAM]

I'll do it in the mourning.

Tune in tomorrow!