Mounting air conditioner in tent/baby bottles

[tuppence a bag]

Hello and Happy New Year!
I've searched the archives but am unable to find info on how to mount the air conditioner to a tent. We have a 3 room tent. I was on this wonderful board a few years ago planning our first trip to WDW and now we are haeding back again. There was also a wonderful thread on crockpot recipies (maybe I am looking in the wrong forum). We are a family of 2 adults, and 5 kids by then. Anyone camped and had to deal with bottles? I've done it at Yosemite before, and am hoping for some pointers, that was very hard with the bears! We will likely be going in Feb of next year, but could be as soon as October.
Thanks ahead of time!
Christy

and ??

 

[clkelley]

Bring a microwave and a mini-fridge.

Or if you prefer to heat the bottles in a pot of water, bring a propane stove and a pot.

We had a mini fridge on a Ft. Wilderness trip a couple of years ago, and never had a problem with critters bothering it. (All we had were sealed sodas though).

Carol

 

[dbarker]

I'm not a camper, but... For bottles, I recommend powdered formula. Get the little prince/princess used to it before you go. You don't need finicky on vacation. Also, I like the disposable bottles. Fill bottles w/ water, then add the formula as needed. No refrigeration needed. Beyond the first couple of months, both my sons drank room temp powdered formula.

 

[mrsgus06]

When my youngest was little, she was on Similac w/iron. They sold the powder in single packets back then, but I am not sure about now. I worked for her pediatrician when she was born so I just helped myself to tons of samples when we went on a trip. I also agree with the disposable liner bottles, but you may want to look into bringing your own water. I would mix a packet with a single bottle of water as needed. SSSSSOOOO much nicer than refrigerating/heating. Ask your pediatrician about the single packet servings. Good luck!!

 

[loriandmatt]

here is a lijnk to one thread here about crock pot cooking ideas:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=975303&highlight=crock+pot

this thread is also good for crock pot and other good camping ideas:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773993&highlight=crock+pot

as far as the AC in the tent - can't help ya.

i agree that if you are doing formula you should look into those 4oz packets of powder and just have bottled water on hand.

here is a link to an online home delivery order form for similac packets (first item on order form) you can get them in stores, but this might be a good option for you also.

http://rosstore.com/store.cfm?Department=Pediatric&Category=Similac Advance&Subcategory=&OrderID=0

if your critter can handle it at room temp, you are golden. if not, a small microwave might be the way to go. (can use it for other campsite meal/snack ideas also.) If you need a formula/milk product that has to be refridgerated, i second the notion of the mini fridge.

- lori

 

[stevenpensacola]

I've seen it done, but never done it myself, although I bought a small window unit before Hurricane Dennis, and have thought about using it to extend the camping season here in nw Florida.

You'll want to leave the a/c unit on the outside of the tent. Here's where you have to get creative...you'll probably have to sit the a/c on something to raise it up where the face will fit through the doorway of your tent (works well if you have more than one tent door). Zip the door shut as well as you can, then break out the duct tape to seal the opening.

The tent I saw actually had some homemade ductwork hooked connected through the side of the tent.

I think it would also be possible to position the ac face up against one of the screen windows, as long as you can seal up the rest of the window around the ac.

NEVER MIND....just go to this site: has just what you need:
http://www.outdooradvantageconnection.com/091505/outdoor-advantage-connection-5.htm

"The Official AC Boot is a complete HVAC system for outdoor tent users, providing comfort that outdoor tents did not have before. With our patent-pending system, all you need is a standard 5000 to 8000 BTU air conditioner and you will be enjoying the luxury of camper air conditioning, converting an air conditioning unit into a camping tool. You can get cool, comfortable climate now for your tent when you use the ac boot to install an air conditioner in your tent." ....continued see web site.

Yikes...after seeing the price, I think I'd come up with my own "rig".

here's another "how to":
http://www.deltablues.net/camping2.html

 

[Gillian]

We also did powdered formula + bottled water. Bottles of water kept in the Florida air will probably be an okay temp. We got our kids used to unheated bottles at home. Well, I actually never really heated them.

Have fun!

 

[Shagley]

When we were camping last summer, one of our neighbors had an a/c set up to their tent. They put the a/c on a cheap bar stool, then used a cardboard box and duct tape to seal it up around a window. They taped a garbage bag around the carboard in case it rained. It looked hilarious, but I am sure it worked fine.

Also, while we were camping, we took the silver, reflective emergency blankets (around $1.00 each) and put them over the ends of our pop-up trailer. It immediately lowered the temperature inside the pop-up at least 20 degrees because it reflected the sun away from the pop-up, yet reflected the cool air from the air conditioner to keep it in the pop-up. I'm sure this would work on a tent too. Cover the tent with a reflective cover while the sun is on the tent in the afternoons, then you can remove them once the sun goes down. It will greatly increase the efficiency of the air conditioner.

 

[bord1niowa]

That's a good idea, about the reflective blankets. I was going to just put a large tarp over the pop up to help keep the heat out and the a/c working more efficiently. We bought a 9000 BTU portable a/c that can be put anywhere inside, not through walls or anything. The only thing you have to do is put the exhaust hose, kind of like a dryer hose up to the screen to let the heat out, and there is a metal flat piece that will help keep that flat against the screen when you zip it up. I'm sure it would work for a tent too, since it has the same type of screens. We haven't used it in the pop up yet but I'm sure it should work pretty well, better than none anyway!

 

[jonimce]

How hot does it get in Oct. and Feb.? We tent camp in August and only use box fans. about 20$ at Walmart. We turn it on when we get back from the parks, and by the time we go to the comfort station to get ready for bed, the tent is comfortable. Have a great time. We're going this August but staying at WL. Starting to think how much I'm going to miss the Fort.

 

[AU Tigger]

You know, they make free standing AC units with hoses that go out the window. Would that be something you could use more easily than a window unit in a tent?

We camped in Feb. in a 3-room tent with 3 small boys, blow-up matteresses, and a small heater run through the door on an extention cord!

 

[stevenpensacola]

Fans don't remove humidity...and it's the humidity that gets ya'.

 

[jonimce]

Humidity was never a problem even in August. I guess because we never were there during the day. We stay in the parks until at least 11 or 12:00 PM. Out in the morning before 9:00 AM. Usually rains every evening and cools things off, lowers humidity.

 

[ldubberly]

I've done the air conditioner on the tent thing many times. Propping it up on a small barstool is a great idea. My dad used to prop it with used tires, but that is just too rednecky for my taste. Covering the unit with a tarp (even the reflective ones) and attaching the tarp to the tent (clothespins work). It is amazing how cool the tent stays even for the 4th of July.