cooling your tent or van

[FIGJAM]

You bought sealant, not coating.

Big difference.

http://henry.com/roofing/coolroofcoatin ... ofcoatings

[kowtow]

Since I don't get the differences even after trying to review Henry's site and Google, I'll ask the obvious question, what's the difference? I get that they are different products, but it's not clear to me what the purpose and big difference is between these two products. I was more concerned about getting a product that was elastomeric and white, which was VERY difficult at the home store here in the PNW.

In my elementary brain my having bought and installed Henry's 289 sealant means that I could use this product prior to installing a coating. Per the Henry site

Henry 289 White Roof Sealant is a white, elastomeric acrylic patching compound specially formulated for repairing and preventing roof leaks prior to coating with an acrylic reflective coating

. If the sealant doesn't adhere to the wood well, I don't see how using this prior to applying a "coating" is a good thing. Wouldn't a sealant generally be used to prepare a substrate for adhesion by another product (e.g. coating in this case). Since this sealant doesn't adhere I'm concerned any coating I apply is going to come off because the sealant hasn't "sealed" well.

Does the Henry product you use have a number? If so would you provide the information, so that others do not follow the same mistake I've made?

[FIGJAM]

The 287 coating is the last that I bought.

No prep, no primer, just put it right on the wood.

It dries into something similar to a sheet of rubber.

If you hit it with a hammer it would dent the wood, but the coating would flex with the dent.

Mine hasn't flaked or pealed.

The playapod is coated inside and out with it and is on it's 4th year.

I hose it out regularly.

Used it on this box cooler the same way.

[kowtow]

The 287 coating is the last that I bought.

No prep, no primer, just put it right on the wood.

It dries into something similar to a sheet of rubber.

If you hit it with a hammer it would dent the wood, but the coating would flex with the dent.

Mine hasn't flaked or pealed.

The playapod is coated inside and out with it and is on it's 4th year.

I hose it out regularly.

Used it on this box cooler the same way.

Henry 287 it shall be!

[FIGJAM]

Don't be afraid to slather it on thick for a cooler.

[kowtow]

Don't be afraid to slather it on thick for a cooler.

Thanks FigJam. I used Henry 587 because I didn't want to buy 5 gallons of Henry 287 for one swamp cooler. It turned out great!



I fired it up and was impressed to say the least. I live in the PNW and it was 69F and raining on the day I tested it out for the first time, so I didn't have high hopes. I was amazed to see that within 10 seconds the air temperature dropped over 10 degrees to 57F (ignore the 122F set point, I was using a meat thermometer). I'm using the 12vdc Endless Breeze fan, 12vdc Keedox DC30A-1230 mini-pump and the Aspen evaporative cooling pads (messy!!! DuraCool pads have to be way easier).





This was a crude first go at this project. I found the wooden box in the back of my work. It is a 16"x16"x20" x 7/8" plywood box that I coated first with Henry 289 sealer (by mistake) and then with Henry 587 coating. I used the 12"x12" air vents as FigJam had suggested in his design.

In all, thanks to FigJam, this was an easy project that anyone can tackle. It likely set me back a little more than $145 total ($60 Endless Breeze fan from Camping World, $30 Henry 587 roof coating from Home Depot, $30 on Aspen evaporative pads, $15 Keedox 60gph 12vdc pump and $10 PVC pipe and fittings), but with the remaining pad and roof coating I could make a second cooler for around $80 (fan, pump and fittings only).

[FIGJAM]

Nice job!

The only thing is that the box could have been taller for more water reserve and room for a case of PBR!

[kowtow]

Nice job!

The only thing is that the box could have been taller for more water reserve and room for a case of PBR!

Great idea. My thoughts are drifting towards using the melt from "clean" cooler ice and a float valve to maintain the water level in the 'swamp thing'. Then I not only don't have to worry about draining the cooler, but I can also spend a littler less time watching the swamp cooler water level and more time drinking the contents of the cooler.

I think I will employ a passive gravity driven system where the float valve in the swamp cooler opens and a hose from the drain plug of the cooler drains into the swamp cooler. I realize that the cooler likely won't 'melt' the ice at a rate of 3/4 gallon/hour, but at least it will offer a supplemental supply of near freezing water to the swamp cooler.

Thoughts....

[FIGJAM]

That will be fine.

I just want people to remember that the units can be kept compact for easy hauling to the playa if they don't have a lot of space.

[Royal Turkey]

about how long does it take goop and silicone to cure? Would it be feasible to make your own waterproof box with bathtub surround material the weekend before the Burn?

Here's the situation: We are flying out to Burning Man this year. We will be camping in a Box truck with a door plug, want to use a Unicooler. With 1 4'x8' sheet of surround material can build 2 cooler boxes. I was thinking maybe I would cut the material for 2 waterproof boxes, assemble a prototype to get all the innards working and tested for one box but also make a second sort of prefabricated box I could keep flat to travel with. Then maybe glue it together during the weekend before preparations.

Not sure if the curing time would be sufficient. I could maybe UPS ship the assembled cooler but I am a little worried if the cooler box would survive shipping.

[FIGJAM]

24hrs. will be plenty of time to let the glue and silicone cure.

My new playapod has room for a bigger cooler, so I'm making it with a 20"x20" intake register.

This will let me take full advantage of the Endless Breeze fan on high speed.

The smaller register wouldn't let enough air through, so you may want to up the dimensions a little.

[Royal Turkey]

yes we are going for a 30" x 24" version, 9" deep. We have about 800 CF to cool. I am struggling a bit on figuring out the best way to manufacture air tight lid. Most of your pictures are gone for your Unicooler lid post. It looks like you used the same brackets to insert inside the box top, then I assume you put on some foam or something to complete the seal?

[ridingnitro]

Weather stripping, that's what I used to seal the top of my box cooler. That, along with a hasp to keep the lid closed has worked well for the last 2 burns.

yes we are going for a 30" x 24" version, 9" deep. We have about 800 CF to cool. I am struggling a bit on figuring out the best way to manufacture air tight lid. Most of your pictures are gone for your Unicooler lid post. It looks like you used the same brackets to insert inside the box top, then I assume you put on some foam or something to complete the seal?

[FIGJAM]

[Royal Turkey]

Not fully understanding the mysteries of electricity... this pump you recommend it says it is 3 watts.. but how many Amps is it's draw?

https://www.greenlivingforu.com/dc-subm ... or-battery

Trying to figure out battery plans for this pump and a Easy-Breeze fan.

[FossaFerox]

Amps = Watts / Volts

[FIGJAM]

Pretty sure that pump uses .23 amps.

[Royal Turkey]

Hey Figjam,

How important is the depth of the cooler for cooling? I found this SlimJim for a unicooler..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-C ... ifications

30" x 22" x 11" (at the top) but has these "venting channels" that cut inward, I would have to install the vents inside the tub, that cuts it down maybe only 6" between the pad and the fan.. would that impact the performance?

Putting the intake inside that "venting channel" depression would give me about a 13" by 14.5" intake, the Easy breeze fits perfect within the other side's channel.

I am trying to cool 800 sq feet, you think those dimensions are up to it?

(Ideally I would build a nice 30"x24"x9" box, but getting the box out there even flattened out in a picture frame shipping is more expensive than buying a readily available box in reno and redoing the cuts fresh. SlimJims are standard HD inventory.)

[FIGJAM]

Couple of issues.

Absolutly nothing will stick to that box!

That means using brackets and screws to hold the fan and vent in place, then use 100% silicone for sealing.

The taper will add a small challange getting a good seal to the bulkhead.

Putting the vent intake inside is the way I do it anyway.

That size intake means you won't be able to use the fan on high speed as the intake won't allow enough air flow.

The fan on low will giver you a complete air exchange in a little over 3 minutes, which should be fine.

Will also work on medium speed if you need it.

[Royal Turkey]

Ok! Good to know.

Perhaps for the fan I will make an adapter plate out of some FRP, bolt it into the tub, seal it, then I can silicone glue the fan to the FRP. Makes the cuts on the tub in Reno easier too I think.

For the gasket to the bulkhead, I will have to see what kind of weatherstripping solutions I can find.. I suppose it should be closed cell. I will work on it.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Building- ... nRB8PlQGSo

[FIGJAM]

Some scrape foam rubber will make a very adaptable gasket.

[Royal Turkey]

I don't think gasket will be too tough but I don't think the FPR insert will work it's too tight a fit at the top and I don't want the fan cut out lower than the vent cut out. If I over fill we might get the fan wet - by the powercord no less ..

Actually looking at it again I might be able to get enough of a lip all around if put the fan's mounting plate just a smidge higher than the vent hole. I am looking just under 8" of water when full I calculate that to be a little over 4 gallons. but the top of the pump would get air at roughly 1/2 that volume I figure.

[swella]

THANKS for great info!

Guys, what I am doing now is pay a friend $20 per week to let me park my mini van in his spare parking space, use his shower, power, etc.. During hot days, I cover it with the cheapie variant of the Mylar Space blanket (no wind here). I live in my $900, 14 year old van, using a $30 per month, climate=controlled 5x5 ft storage space to hold stuff that I'm not immediately using, with a cat litter box for emergencies! A wide mouthed jar handles liquid wastes. Often, a black garbage bag on the roof will heat up water enough for a sponge bath, and a kid's $5 inflatable pool will serve to catch the used water. A couple of 5 gallon water jugs see to it that water's handy, and a couple of "Life Straw" water filters mean that I can drink it.

I move twice per year, in order to mostly avoid the head and the cold. In the past, I have paid $120 per year for a "mining claim", upon which you have all the rights of an owner. BLM has over 1 million square miles of land west of the Mississippi, guys. One in the mountains for summer, one In the desert for the winter does away with most of your heat and cold issues.

You can rent a "tow-behind" little backhoe device, which uses your vehicle as the "counterweight". Near the top of a small hill, not on a flood plain, dig a slot large enough to accept your van. Scatter-hide the excavated dirt. Back your van or trailer into the slot, cover it with brush or a camo net. Use a mountain bike or small motorbike to get out to the main road, where you have another van parked (if town is too far to ride your bike) The van in the dirt-slot need not run, or even have a motor or tranny. In fact, having them removed makes the van much lighter, and not worth stealing.

Rent and mount a tow bar. You can pick up old mini-vans that don't run for $300, and get $75 or so for the trannie and motor. If you go into town, don't leave much of anything in your (hidden) van. When I did this (for 3 years) I tried to always come and go in the dark, and to brush out my tracks when near the van. Some people will tear up your stuff just to be doing it, valuable or not.

[Ano]

Do box coolers still function if they are attached to a tent underneath a carport with all the walls/roofs up? Or would it not work out too well? I'm thinking that if I leave the windows open, it should be enough circulation?

[FIGJAM]

I can't imagine a carport sealed well enough to effect the dry air getting to the cooler.

If the carport starts to feel muggy, vent it!

[solemnraven]

Someone made a video for how to build the bucket cooler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHbQYajfGqM

[FIGJAM]

Mines better!

[FIGJAM]

300K views!!!!!!!!!!


WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FIGJAM]

RECAP!!!

The basic idea for the bucket cooler is just a smaller version of Yellowdog's cooler made from a rubbermade garbage can.

An evaporative cooler will reduce the tempature by 20 to 30 degrees.

Keep in mind that there is more than one way to skin a cat. (WARNING! DO NOT SKIN A CAT, IT WONT HELP THIS PROJECT AND WILL IRRITATE YOUR PUSSY!!!)

All the ideas that people came up with on this thread are a perfect example of radical self relience! (Bravo!!!)

Get a 5 gallon bucket and lid.

Have your trained mice naw some holes in the bucket, or use a hole saw, or 50 caliber sniper rifle. (Honey badgers wont work, they don't give a shit!)




Find some cooler pad.

I like duracool pads.

http://www.simsupply.com/Items/426741

If your area does'nt have them, find a national chain DIY hardwear store and see if they will order some for you.

This may save you shipping cost. I use home depot.

Cut the first pad 30x13 inches.

Roll this pad into a tube and silicone or hand stitch the seam.

This will give you a tube 13 inches tall.



Because the bucket tapers out towards the top, you will not need to line the bucket with shade clothe.





Cut a second piece of pad 24x13 inches and roll into a tight tube.

You wont need to seam this one.



Sleeve this inside the first tube.

The reason for the double pad is to have a wide space to set the drip line on and adds more evap surface.



1/2 inch Drip irrigation line works ok to soak your pads, but poly hose is more flexible and you can buy it by the foot.

I like the T connectors that fit inside the line. I cut the ends of the T shorter so I could keep the holes in the line close enough together so there wont be a dry strip on the pads.

This hose is 3/8 inch.





The holes in the line need to be uniform for an even flow on the pad.

Drlling holes works, but I found that heating a piece of wire melts a nice, more uniform hole.

I used a piece of 10 gauge copper wire.

Heat the wire with a torch, or the burner on your stove, then press through the line.

Sliding the wire in and out till it cools will make a happy hole! (Don't even think about it Yggy, this is serious!)







To pump the water through the line, buy a pump.

This is the solar pump.

http://www.harborfreight.com/solar-powe ... 66093.html

I like this pump instead because if it's cloudy, it will still let the cooler work.



https://www.greenlivingforu.com/products/fountains

The 3/8 inch line fits this pump perfectly.

Nice even flow of water.







When the lid is put on, the line will be pinched between the lid and the pad, so it wont move around.

FANS!

The key to a good cooler is a powerful fan.

CFM=cubic feet per minute.

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l2/g36/c43 ... y_CFM.html

I used this one.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8556/ ... d=TMxuD2fh

It uses more power, but makes the bucket cooler very effective.

Calculate the cubic footage of the space to be cooled, then get a fan that will replace the air inside the space every 3 to 5 minutes.

I use a single fan cause it suits my design perfectly.

Cut a hole in the lid of the bucket to mount the fan.

I put mine on the bottom of the lid to keep the unit compact and to make ducting easier.



Any 120mm fan will fit inside the top of the pad tube.

I spliced the wires from the fan to the wires from the pump. (both are 12volt)

Then ran the wire out through one of the holes in the side of the bucket.

Now with the lid on the bucket, I used a 4 inch septic line connector gooped to the lid over the fan.







Now you can use 4 inch septic line to duct the air into the space to be cooled. You don't need to glue these piceces together.



These parts are at the hardwear store.

Outside temp!



Air temp coming from the cooler!



Water temp inside the bucket!



This cooler uses 2 gallon of water every 5 hours.

It uses about 1.45amps per hour.

My 105AH deep cycle battery will run this cooler for 47 hours before needing to be recharged.

So running 4 or 5 hours a day, it will let you nap in the hottest part of the day, all week without recharging the battery.

If you need more cooling than this, build the box cooler.

You will need to vent the air out of the space for circulation.

HAPPY NAPPING!!!

[FIGJAM]

Last year people tried to make the bucket cooler do more than it was ment to do, with moderate success.

The main problems seemed to be a powerful enough fan and how to duct the air into the space.

My box cooler worked great and I never use anything but the low speed on the fan.






NOW INTRODUCING THE UNICOOLER!!!!!!!


No duct work needed!!!

Build a box 17wx30hx9d.



If you cant build a simple box, try to find something waterproof with roughly the same dementions or this.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... ce2010a-20

If you can find something that does'nt have tapered sides it will work better.

Cut a hole for the vent cover. ($11.00)





Cut a hole for the fan. (Endless breeze fan $60-$80)



I used 100% clear silicone caulk to stick these to the box.



The vent louvers are facing down and into the box to keep the water channeled toward the inside.

I got some angle trim and siliconed pieces to the inside of the box to act as a pad retainer.





This is the pump.

https://www.greenlivingforu.com/products/fountains



The pvc just lays on the top edge of the pads.

Then I went to the bin (16489-j "junk" subheading A "awsume") and found some handles.





Then make an air tight lid.(figure it out)

Finished cooler looks like this.





I call it the universal cooler cause you just shove the pad side against any opening in a tent, bus, travel trailer, yurt, or playpod and it will cool up to 3000 cubic feet of space. You can even set it on a table outside for use.

Add some foam stickon wheather stripping for a good seal around a window.

Fill it with 7gals. of water for 8hrs. of cooling. So once a day depending on how much you use it.

105ah battery will run this all week on low.

You may have to recharge if you use medium or high speed on the fan.

I'm confident that this will cool even a school bus without useing a genny and its a lot quieter than an air conditioner.

As always I'll try to answer any questions you may have.


HERE'S TO A MORE COMFORTABLE BURN!!!

That being said, scroll down to garyt's design on this page.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... start=1590

By making it wider, he can take full advantage of the endless breeze fan on high.

The unicoolerI designed tended to restict air flow due to not enough intake area.