45 replies to this topic

[Paul Romero]

Hi all,

While here at the Winter Star Party, I talked to a gentleman about other star parties, where the main complaint is the direct, seering sun beating down during the day. As a 60 year old tent camper, Im wondering if there is a cooling unit available thst can be powered by a small generator?

Clear Skies,

Paul

[rsalva1]

Have you explored Zero Breeze? It’s pricey but worth it with using an insulated tent.

[SoCalPaul]

A search for "camping air conditioner" or "portable air conditioner" on amazon yields some interesting results.

 

I would also suggest looking into a reflective cover, or even an insulated, reflective cover such as Reflectix. That will make a big difference and has the side benefit of keeping your tent darker for longer, if you want to sleep in.

 

The combination of portable a/c and reflective cover is probably the best you can do in a tent, I would assume.

 

Clear skies,

Paul

[Phil Perry]

A generator and A/C? Isn't that more like glamping?

 

Maybe it would be easier to put a reflective fly over your tent to put it in the shade during the day. On high enough poles, it could provide some nice shade for you to sit in during the day, out of the searing sun but not blocking any cooling breeze. Just be careful about making it windproof!

[GrassLakeRon]

Hi all,

While here at the Winter Star Party, I talked to a gentleman about other star parties, where the main complaint is the direct, seering sun beating down during the day. As a 60 year old tent camper, Im wondering if there is a cooling unit available thst can be powered by a small generator?

Clear Skies,

Paul

Make yourself a swamp cooler out of a cooler and a pair of usb fans.  Run the whole thing off a usb battery bank.  Lots of different designs.  I use one for truck camping.

 

https://www.consumer...-keep-you-cool/
 

Edited by GrassLakeRon, 31 January 2025 - 01:16 PM.

[AaronF]

What type of tent do you have?

I have an old (c.1975) A-frame tent made of cotton. The design and the material means that the tent stays relatively cool inside even when the sun's beating down on it, and stays dry in the rain. (Well...it used to...it's a little worse for wear these days, and doesn't keep me as dry as it once did! )

 

If you have a newer tent made of polyester then, yes, they get hot and stuffy inside.

If that's the case then I think the suggestions of reflective covers are good and should work.

[WadeH237]

I do most of my astronomy in the high desert, where it's arid.  Most tent campers I know use Aluminet.  They just toss it over the tent like a rain fly and it works amazingly well.  I'm an RV guy (I definitely don't call it camping), but some of the folks that I talk to say that it lowers the temperature inside their tent by up to 20F.

 

I think that this would work great in Reno, but I'm not sure about WSP in south Florida.  The humidity there might be a bigger problem than just the temperature.

[Paul Romero]

Hi,

All, thank you for your myriad of suggestions. I will definitely be using reflective material and a cooler but there is also an A/C unit under $150 used on Amazon. The generator would come in handy here too. The cooler at the star party Im thinking of would bring inside temps from avoidance to cool, even with the reflectix. Im just tryong to use a generator and a five gallon tank of gas, since it will be needed for my AP/Visual rig. Some Star Parties offer power, but you need to arrive early to get close to it. The star party I want to go to only offers power during the day at a central location.
Clear Skies,

Paul

Edited by Paul Romero, 31 January 2025 - 02:09 PM.

[stargazer1]

I'll add a vote for Aluminet. We draped a large tarp of it over our tent at Golden State Star Party. It definitely kept the tent cooler. Inside of the tent was habitable despite the 100F temperatures.

[harpo80]

I do most of my astronomy in the high desert, where it's arid.  Most tent campers I know use Aluminet.  They just toss it over the tent like a rain fly and it works amazingly well.  I'm an RV guy (I definitely don't call it camping), but some of the folks that I talk to say that it lowers the temperature inside their tent by up to 20F.

 

This looks like a great addition to hot-weather camping.  20F makes an amazing difference to tolerating a 100F day, like at Nebraska Star Party last year.

[Paul Romero]

Hi all, 

 

I ordered the Aluminet and a portable a/c from Amazon. At $150 (for a used one) its my choice for cooling this tent at the GSSP.. It will be tested with a 2000 watt generator first thing (in eco mode), and if doesnt work, it will go back.

 

Clear Skies,

 

Paul

 

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[Alex McConahay]

Hi all,

While here at the Winter Star Party, I talked to a gentleman about other star parties, where the main complaint is the direct, seering sun beating down during the day. As a 60 year old tent camper, Im wondering if there is a cooling unit available thst can be powered by a small generator?

Clear Skies,

Paul

 

 

I would have a serious problem with somebody camped anywhere near my tent running even a small generator. 

 

I do not go to star parties to listen to generators.

 

Alex

[Phil Perry]

there is also an A/C unit under $150 used on Amazon. The generator would come in handy here too.

 

If you're thinking about bringing a generator to a star party (or any camping experience), do check well in advance whether it will be welcome. Not everyone appreciates a roaring generator a few yards away while trying to enjoy the night sky. During daylight hours, it might be tolerated (charge up battery pack to run gear at night). Check that the spark arrestor is in good condition, too -- nothing like starting a roaring grass fire!
 

Some Star Parties offer power, but you need to arrive early to get close to it. The star party I want to go to only offers power during the day at a central location.

 

If power is offered, it's not likely to be that many amps you can draw, almost certainly not enough for an A/C unit. Check in advance -- mostly it will be intended to run a mount, guidance system, camera, etc. and not a whole bunch of toys.

[rsalva1]

I would have a serious problem with somebody camped anywhere near my tent running even a small generator. 

 

I do not go to star parties to listen to generators.

 

Alex

If the tent is next to the RVs, maybe it’s okay… but yes they are loud and will not be appreciated.

[Paul Romero]

Hi,

I cancelled the order. I would like to cool the tent, but its no biggie. I was merely building on the idea of bringing the generator to supply my power hungry astro viewing and photographic rig…ie what could it be used for during the day??? How about cooling!
I might just shelve the astrophotography idea and bring a C11 for viewing only, or go to another star party via air with my binos and 45mm dslr rig.

Clear Skies,

Paul

[Jim T]

From prior experience....an AC unit will expel the hot air outside and blow cool inside...BUT the result will be the tent sucking in!
Shade from your fly is better, plus a fan!

[astrophile]

I do most of my astronomy in the high desert, where it's arid.  Most tent campers I know use Aluminet.  They just toss it over the tent like a rain fly and it works amazingly well.  I'm an RV guy (I definitely don't call it camping), but some of the folks that I talk to say that it lowers the temperature inside their tent by up to 20F.

 

I think that this would work great in Reno, but I'm not sure about WSP in south Florida.  The humidity there might be a bigger problem than just the temperature.

I've similarly used a large panel of this stuff draped over the tent and clothes-pinned to the guy lines, with good results.  The challenge at WSP may be the wind, which won't be kind to it... OTOH when it's that windy, there'll be some ventilation effect decreasing need for the reflective cover.

Edited by astrophile, 01 February 2025 - 11:40 PM.

[astrohamp]

Aluminet in full use during a 2024 late July star gathering.  Full day sun, little breeze, basically triple H, (hazy, hot, humid) environment for days on end.

 

I had previously set up the solar shade measuring ~20 degree F difference in the grass temperature from full sun to under shade. 

 

Most likely needs a 'breathing' space between net and tent for any local wind to move off some thermals generated by the twin layer no air space.

 

Improvement yes, tent still heating yes, external fans for breeze in the 'shade' required yes,  I did mention 90+ HHH days.  A work in progress.

 

 

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[Paul Romero]

Thats a nice spot and setup. Im looking at possibly going to the local town for activities during the day, now that the AC is not happening.

Clear Skies,

Paul

[astrohamp]

If you have access to ice what about building a DIY 'frankencooler'?

[WISDOC]

We used swamp coolers in the past. They get the job done. Had small fans that ran on a couple D cell batterys. Would last for a couple days before the batterys died. Can't sleep on the ground anymore. Now it's a 28' travel trailer with a/c built in. All the comforts of home. I even bring the wife !

[Keith Rivich]

Luckily all my major star parties have accommodations. My last tent camp was 20 years ago. It ended badly as, against our agreement with the campsite owners, they allowed a motorcycle club to have their ride at the same time we were there to observe. The cycle folks, nice people, were up at daybreak to warm up the bikes for their daily ride. Was terrible. 

 

Anyway, before that I always took a large pop up canopy (with a blackout tarp as an east side wall),  and put my tent underneath. Worked great for extending night just a bit longer and helping with the daytime heat. A queen sized blow-up mattress and a "Cajun" air conditioner (large ice chest full of ice with a fan blowing through the ice) allowed me to sleep until 11 or so. 

[Paul Romero]

Hi astrohamp et al,

I took a look st the link posted by Ron above, and it brought me to Consumer Reports site which stated the ice swamp cooler did nit cool in their tests, thus I selected an AC.

Clear Skies,
Paul

[astrohamp]

The frankencooler has been pushed down my project list to develop a tent/dark shed heater.  Give my link a look as I think CU didn't do justice to the idea.

[justfred]

A couple of 100W suitcase solar panels, battery, and a small fan would give you a little breeze  and be more than enough power at night. Quiet stuff. 

 

Fred