will this dome cover scheme work?

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uncle sticky
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will this dome cover scheme work?

Post by uncle sticky » Fri Jul 07, 2006 2:25 pm

I'd like to hear ideas, pluses, minuses, feedback for our dome cover concept. We're running a swamp cooler in a 23 foot diameter dome, and need to seal the cold air inside. Our plan is to tarp the inside of the dome, using conventional nylon tarps on the interior. The exterior will be covered with a sewn-up white shade cloth (50% block). My theory is that the shade will keep the tarp somewhat cool, and make the swamp cooler work less, along with allowing heat to flow up between tarp and dome. Also, the open weave on the shade will slow and break the wind, without catching it, and prevent us from lifting off or losing the cover. Of course, we're staking the dome down, and making sure the exterior cover is very snug and rolled under the dome.
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trilobyte
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Post by trilobyte » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:04 pm

There needs to be a gap between the shade cloth and the dome otherwise it doesn't really do much. White reflects away a lot of the sun's heat, but it will still get extremely hot during the day. As a general rule you want the shade structure to be a couple feet away from the roof of the thing you're providing shade to. Otherwise, you're in business :-)

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