Question:
I was wondering if anyone knows of a manufacturer that makes a small
portable (non-electric) tent air conditioner.
My body is quite happy at 30 degrees F, but I live in Florida where, for
about 8 months out of the year, the nights are unbearably hot. Car camping
doesn't quite do it for me, so I am looking for some gizmo that might cool
my tent enough for a good night's sleep in the wilderness. Maybe gas powered
(if that's even possible)
Any suggestions?
Answer:
Last week a salesman stopped by where I work selling odds and ends. One of
his items was a portable "air conditioner". It uses a 2-liter soda bottle
inside it with a fan blowing over it. It runs off batteries or electricity.
I have no idea how efficient it is....probably not very. The only problem
with using this while camping would be keeping the bottle of water frozen
until you need it. I don't know who manufactures it, though. One of my
co-workers bought one and I can find out if you'd like.
A possible option might be one of the "personal coolers" that the
yuppy catalogs sometimes carry (Sharper Image, etc). These are
small air conditioning units that are portable and that have flex
air lines designed to carry the hot air from the condenser away from
the unit. Typically the air lines are stuck out a window. Nice for
un-air conditioned apartments where window units aren't practical or
allowed. Another possibility is an industrial spot cooler - same
general design - though I don't know if there is one made small
enough for your application. You would power either unit using a
small gas generator. I highly recommend the Honda EU inverter
generators. Very efficient, very light and whisper quiet. The
EU1000i is so quiet that you can't tell it is running from several
feet away. You could locate the generator a ways away from the tent
to avoid CO poisoning.
Another option might be a small window unit with hand-fabricatd
ducts to conduct the cold air to and from the tent. That would be
the cheapest solution, as the personal coolers tend to run in the
$1k range.
