Air Conditioner alternatives

[tjdale]

Anyone have an alternative to an AC unit to stay cool? I live in the MidAtlantic and summers are hot and humid. The small window AC's at your local home ctr seem overkill for a small TD. An evaporative cooler would not work well in the humidity. Anyone have ideas to increase air flow/venting? I've used things like wind scoops on small sail boats, but if there is no wind you suffer. I'm thinking along the lines of venting along or in the floor for intake of cool air and a roof vent/fan for warm air to escape. But, I'm not sure this will really be effective in such a small space. And what is the best location for such? What are the experiences of those who chose not to have AC?

[Denny Unfried]

Without a/c there aren't too many alternatives that I can see - but - I have a well insulated roof and get great air cross flow with two doors and roof vent. Another plus of the second door is ease in making the bed.

[ALAN GEDDES]

I have two screen doors to keep out the bugs and provide air and my crank out windows are not in the doors so that gives me lots of ventilation. A 6 inch fan moves the air arround and it gets down right hot and muggy here in the Carolinas during the summer until late in the fall. If camping with 110V available carry a box fan for more air.

[fornesto]

I'm using a 12V computer fan ($14.99) that is supposed to move about 70 cubic feet per minute. I figured it would vacate the whole cabin about once every 1.5 minutes. I've always thought that the best way to cool off a room is to vacate the hot air produced by the body. Screen doors would also be great. At minimum, those pull down or, better yet, velcro doors...now, that is an idea! Who's gonna make one first?

[Big Guy with a Little Guy]

A/C meant to cool a room in the house does seem like a monster in a closet for a teardrop, but I don't think there is much else you can do. I suspect those $99 A/C units are made about as small as possible.

Fans are nice, but if it's hot and humid, moving hot and humid air into the cabin doesn't do much good, and for it to do any good at all, you basically have to already be sweating so the moving air evaporates your wet skin.

I live in a very mild climate, so it's not a concern for me, but if I were in a situation where the heat made camping miserable, I'd get the $99 A/C unit, even if it is too big. One big problem, though, is that you are limited to camping where there is 110v ac power. Sorry, but I go camping to get away from it all, not to plug in an extension cord...

For me, camping is about being comfortable, but leaving the comforts of home AT HOME. I can't get my arms around the idea of camping at a KOA. I must confess, however, we have been guilty of camping at a state beach in So. Cal. where there was a flusher and shower. Even a laundromat, but NO POWER at the campsite. Having no electricity made me feel good about myself. I'm a simple man, really...

[Chip]

Simplicity is a great thing,, but when its 90 degrees and 100% humidity, the simplest way to a good nights sleep is to have a/c,, I have one of the small 5000btu units and with the windows cracked just a bit it runs a longer cycle than if closed up tight, and I can sleeeep real good,,
it comes out with the removal of two screws and a bracket during the winter and a small heater takes its place,, now true I am tied to the power pole in the two extreme seasons but in spring and fall I just let the windows open and the breeze blow,, It is a trade off but a comfortable one

chip

[Big Guy with a Little Guy]

It is a trade off but a comfortable one

Oh, I'm not against comfortable trade offs!

I am just spoiled because I can be at 10,000 feet in 20 minutes. No need for A/C up yonder.

[len19070]

I'm in the Mid-Atlantic area also. I use a 12 volt RV fan blowing right on me. http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus ... unum=26212 I run it all night off of a group #24 deep cycle battery (small one) and I have never killed the battery in a weekend. 5 nights was as long as I have had it on for.

Happy Trails

Len

[MtrngMan]

I bit the bullet and bought a window A/C unit from our local cheap appliance store, $78! i was thrilled. i was even MORE thrilled when i saw that it only pulls 4.7 amps for the 5,000 btu's. I bought a 2500 watt inverter to install in our tear and plan on having 2 deep cycle batts to run it.

We amped last year in the tear and it made all the difference in the world for the late afternoon naps

[shil]

Great Big Doors and Windows...

[BufordT]

I bit the bullet and bought a window A/C unit from our local cheap appliance store, $78! i was thrilled. i was even MORE thrilled when i saw that it only pulls 4.7 amps for the 5,000 btu's. I bought a 2500 watt inverter to install in our tear and plan on having 2 deep cycle batts to run it.

We amped last year in the tear and it made all the difference in the world for the late afternoon naps

And the A/C ran on the two deep cycle batteries? Without draining them down too much.

Bufordt

[BufordT]

I saw Bob's tear at the park on Sat. He mounted his A/C in the side of his tear. Worked out great for him and I like the way he did it. Didn't take any pic's but this idea would be the way to go.

Bob got any pic's of how you did this or can you help with install?

Bufordt

[mikeschn]

One of my buddies says the best way to beat the heat is to sleep with a cold wet washcloth on your chest. I've never tried it, but I like the idea of an air conditioner better!!!

Mike..

[catrinka]

One of my buddies says the best way to beat the heat is to sleep with a cold wet washcloth on your chest. I've never tried it, but I like the idea of an air conditioner better!!!

Mike..

Or if you are one to sleep on your tummy, a damp hand towel on the back works great!!! I've used it several times in the summer here.

[Proud2BCDN]

One of my buddies says the best way to beat the heat is to sleep with a cold wet washcloth on your chest. I've never tried it, but I like the idea of an air conditioner better!!!

Mike..

Or if you are one to sleep on your tummy, a damp hand towel on the back works great!!! I've used it several times in the summer here.

Ditto