Ice ice baby - an alternative to traditional a/c or hocus pocus?

[glamourpets]

Here is an interesting product I discovered on ebay. I wonder if it has enough power to be practical. Probably not. How many btus of cooling power do you figure THIS unit has? What do you think?

Portable Camping Camp Tent Trailer Air Conditioner | eBay

[Francesca Knowles]

It's a fan that pushes cold air coming off the ice in the cooler.

Everything that's old is new again...folks used to blow fans across a block of ice back when it was still coming by way of the iceman!

Francesca

[glamourpets]

I just wonder if this much ice would do enough cooling to be effective. I'm thinking this unit might be a little underpowered.

[Francesca Knowles]

It would probably be cool right in front of the unit for as long as the ice lasted, which I'd guess to be about an hour and a half tops in hot weather especially since it "forces warm air across the ice in the cooler".

Francesca

[jen b]

I think our CPA Harley has one of those.

[Mike Magee]

Sometimes called "swamp coolers." They don't work well in humid areas, as they add even more humidity. But in a dry climate I've been told that they do help.

Even the pro football teams use misters on the sidelines during hot weather. Must do some good.

[Raz]

They work better if you include a six pack with the ice Raz

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Sometimes called "swamp coolers." They don't work well in humid areas, as they add even more humidity. But in a dry climate I've been told that they do help.

Even the pro football teams use misters on the sidelines during hot weather. Must do some good.

I think that this is different from a swamp cooler. This device uses the energy released when ice turns from a solid to a liquid, whereas a swamp cooler uses the energy when a liquid is turned into a vapor.

[Jim Bennett]

This to me looks more like a beer warmer than a air conditioner. I will opt for keeping the beer cold myself.

HERE is the device on Amazon. The reviews for it are terrible.

[cpaharley2008]

I used one in first camper which had no a/c- works like a charm for about 3 hours, just long enough to allow you to fall asleep. I still have it.

[glamourpets]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I used one in first camper which had no a/c- works like a charm for about 3 hours, just long enough to allow you to fall asleep. I still have it.

Cool to know that this actually works. I was skeptical.

I think a swamp cooler is different. A swamp cooler depends on evaporation to cool the air. This unit cools by blowing air over blocks of ice.

Now to make this effective for boondocking, all we need is to find a propane fired ice-maker.

Derek

[Mike Magee]

Oh, ok. Well I was thinking of one brand of swamp cooler I'd looked at on the web a year ago, that could use either water or ice. They were at !12 Volt Portable Air Conditioners plus Evaporative Swamp Coolers. and I have half a mind to get one before my next trip into the Utah area (whenever that will be, no plans at the moment).

[glamourpets]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Oh, ok. Well I was thinking of one brand of swamp cooler I'd looked at on the web a year ago, that could use either water or ice. They were at !12 Volt Portable Air Conditioners plus Evaporative Swamp Coolers. and I have half a mind to get one before my next trip into the Utah area (whenever that will be, no plans at the moment).

This is an interesting setup. From a price perspective, you can buy an air conditioner for a price similar to one of these. The key advantage is the low power needs. It becomes possible to have a cooled trailer while boon-docking. The catch is that humidity and moisture can be a challenge in fiberglass trailer. If you get one of these, I'd be interested to hear how it works out.

Derek

[Otters]

I have one of these from the 50's that I'll use ocassionally in the Scamp. Plugs into a 12v socket. Takes water and ice. It puts out some nice cool air. Definitely makes a hot day bearable.

[deryk]

Linda its cute but Im still buying a Honda generator to run my little ac when Im boondocking and its too hot lol

deryk

[Otters]

I don't blame you Deryk. I'd do the same if camping in a hot humid climate. Been there, done that. Originally from TX Gulf Coast, so I know what it's like to need AC. For me, I'll just use my little 12v auto swamp cooler when its miserable--like if I get around to going to Burning Man. Happy trails Deryk.

[deryk]

oooh Burning Man! Wish I was closer. Im sure a few generators are running there lol. eah in some areas its a necessity. I also will be goin to see friends over the summer and campin in there driveways for a weekend here and there and sometimes its just easier to be fully self contained.

peace

deryk

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by deryk

I also will be goin to see friends over the summer and campin in there driveways for a weekend here and there and sometimes its just easier to be fully self contained.

We do this often too, even if they do have a bed. Even if we think we might have a couple too many drinks when still in town we have taken it. For the few minutes hassle of hooking up, it is no big deal at all. There is something nice about the familiarity of your own space, where you can raid your own pantry, and dance around nekkid if you like.

[deryk]

Oh yeah Jim! I like haveing my own privacy, and my friends dont seem to complain at all either.

deryk

[cpaharley2008]

Both you guys, please make sure your blinds are drawn while enjoying your privacy rites!!