Tent Air Conditioning

[Sangster]

Well, after searching and searching, reading and debating I've decided to move forward with an A/C unit for my tent.

I ordered the A/C Boot from here: http://acboot.com/ for $99.95. I only bought the boot w/fasteners & adhesive but didn't get the stand or cover. I can make my own stand (will use milk crates w/straps until I make a stand) and figure it doesn't need a cover because I'll be using a window A/C unit, which is meant to be in the rain anyway.

The boot arrives tomorrow and I'm going to pick up one of the $100 5000 BTU window A/C units from Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot tomorrow on my way home from work.

I'll post up pics and detailed installation notes from my install tomorrow evening.

I'm excited that I'll be able to get my wife/kids to go camping with me during the hot months. Of course this limits those campouts to sites that have power but beggars can't be choosers! :victory:

[Broncogearhead]

I'd like to hear how this works for you. I have been meaning to pick up a small window unit anyway to have for extended power outages.
Wife and kids can't stand sleeping in the heat(me too).

[Sangster]

i'll definitely post up how well it works. I have one of those temperature clocks with wireless sensor that I can use to show the inside tent temperature as well as the outside temp at the same time. It would be VERY cool (no pun intended!) if I can maintain an inside temp of around 75 degrees during the night. I'm not so much worried about the early early hours when it's down in the 70's anyway, but more so about the temp at bedtime. It's HOT and humid here in FL now and going to bed sweaty and hot is miserable.

[discosleuth]

just thought i would let you know i have a/c boot in my cabin tent and we used it at 4th of july and it would get 65deg at night but we turned it down to 72 that is with a 6500 btu unit and a 12x20 tent

[Sangster]

nice!

So I got the AC Boot installed tonight but the instructions say to let the adhesive cure for 24 hrs before using it with an AC unit. So, it's set up in the front yard curing away until after work tomorrow when I'll put the AC unit on it and see how it goes.

I picked up the $98 GE 5000 BTU unit at Walmart.

[Sangster]

put the A/C unit on the tent this afternoon and so far so good.

Starting at 6:26 pm the outside air temp was 94 degrees. Inside the tent it was 96 degrees. Have the A/C set on max cool, max fan since then and right now it's 78 degrees inside the tent and 91 degrees outside.

So, outside air temp has dropped 3 degrees, inside air temp has dropped 19 degrees in 1 hr.

edit: it's a 5000 BTU GE air conditioner and the tent is a 16ft by 9.5ft Ozark Trail family tent. Temp sensor is laying on the floor in the middle of the tent where my air mattress would be.

[07 Elephant]

Very cool. Got pics? How is the humidity level in the tent with it running?

I'd like to setup the Maggiolia w/ A/C for summer trips to Big Shell. Perhaps the pet cool thing when they start making them again. In the mean time I might setup the Recvee room with one of these setups.

[Sangster]

Not sure about the exact humidity level, but there was no condensation or water drops anywhere inside the tent. On the outside the thing was dripping like a typical window unit in a high humidity area.

I ran it on the tent for 3.5 hrs total before shutting it off and putting it all away.

6:26 pm: Inside temp--96 degrees, outside temp--94 degrees
7:26pm: Inside temp--78 degrees, outside temp--91 degrees
8:30pm: Inside temp--74 degrees, outside temp--87 degrees
9:30pm: Inside temp--71 degrees, outside temp--85 degrees
10:00pm: Inside temp--70 degrees, outside temp--84 degrees

Seems like this 5000 BTU unit is good for approx 15 degree difference from outside temperature. One thing to note, the tent was sitting square in the sun (at least until it set). I'm wondering if I returned this unit and went with the 6300 BTU unit (an additional $50) how much faster would it cool down?

For me, we keep the house AC set on 74 at night and it's perfect. So I'm happy that this setup will allow me to stay cool and be comfortable.

[gasman]

Not sure about the exact humidity level, but there was no condensation or water drops anywhere inside the tent. On the outside the thing was dripping like a typical window unit in a high humidity area.

I ran it on the tent for 3.5 hrs total before shutting it off and putting it all away.

6:26 pm: Inside temp--96 degrees, outside temp--94 degrees
7:26pm: Inside temp--78 degrees, outside temp--91 degrees
8:30pm: Inside temp--74 degrees, outside temp--87 degrees
9:30pm: Inside temp--71 degrees, outside temp--85 degrees
10:00pm: Inside temp--70 degrees, outside temp--84 degrees

Seems like this 5000 BTU unit is good for approx 15 degree difference from outside temperature. One thing to note, the tent was sitting square in the sun (at least until it set). I'm wondering if I returned this unit and went with the 6300 BTU unit (an additional $50) how much faster would it cool down?

For me, we keep the house AC set on 74 at night and it's perfect. So I'm happy that this setup will allow me to stay cool and be comfortable.

i dont think the 6300 unit would make enough of a differance, maybe a degree or two if you are lucky, 15 degrees is good , when i set up a residential a/c. im usually looking for 15 to 19 degree differential, if i get that its good, for 50 bucks more i say buy more beer

[Honu]

would be curious if you had a large fly over the tent that blocked the sun how much that would help vs in open sun ?

also will be curious to see the temp drop one could get with a canvas RTT setup ?

thanks for posting the boot thing is kinda cool seems like a clean way to get the air inside the tent

[discosleuth]

hey sangster i put a tarp over tent that is about 5ft larger than tent all the way around helps shade and also helps keep cool air in i just stake it out with poles and stakes works like awning allthe way around.

[Broncogearhead]

I am glad to hear this seems to work well.
Were you able to measure the humidity in the tent?
Mid to low 70's would be just fine especially if the humidity is low in the tent.

I'm very glad to hear my speculation about condensation was wrong.

How much open mesh does your tent have?
I have a tent that is about the size of yours. The whole roof is mesh. Even with the rain fly on, it still flows air very well.

I'm guessing your tent is like mine, as are most I have seen. A tent that seals up well might work really well with this a/c set up.

Thanks for reporting your findings. :tent:

[d0va]

suscribing for pictures...

[Sangster]

took the tent down already and forgot about the pics. But I'm headed to Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo next wednesday-Saturday and will have the A/C unit hooked up and cooling for my stay there and will take pics.

Yes, the tent is a large 16x9 Ozark Trail tent from Walmart and the entire roof is mesh with a rain fly over it. As far as the condensation goes, there was no issue inside the tent during my test, but it was only 3.5 hrs. We'll see what happens overnight especially when the dew sets in!

[Broncogearhead]

Please report back how it works on your trip. :snorkel:

[printman]

I have camped many Texas summers with a window unit in my tent. It may look dumb but it sure is better than trying to sleep in the heat. My 5000 BTU works well in my tent with the rain cover on. I will try to attach a photo of the set up.

[printman]

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j459/printman1/P6140074.jpgOk, I will try this again with the photo. Here is my set up.
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j459/printman1/tentac.jpg

[jeeper92]

I wonder if i could fit this on my rtt

[Lynn]

It may look dumb...

From the viewpoint of a displaced Coloradan, I think it looks GREAT!!!

[Sangster]

I completely forgot about this thread! Sorry for not updating it after the Keys trip last summer. It went great, worked great and kept me comfy all night long. As you can imagine, it's pretty hot and muggy in the Florida Keys in July/August. This A/C unit kept the tent cool enough during the night that I needed a sleeping bag to be comfortable. During the day I was able to nap with the A/C unit running and a box fan blowing the cold air over me. :victory:

[Broncogearhead]

Very glad to hear you guys were able to make this a success.

[vaulter09]

Is this your daily driver?


http://www.mopo.ca/uploaded_images/AC-734147.jpg

[Sangster]

:rolleyes:

[ScoutII]

Well I guess you could upgrade to a trailer. Then you will have a bathroom right there for the misses :)

In Florida trying to remove the moisture out of the air. (latent heat) takes a while for sure. Glad its working for you.