Portable Evaporative Cooler (swamp cooler)

Step 6 Swamp cooler in action in the Nevada desert

The camper is called a Flip-pac, the sleeping area is over the cab of the truck. The swamp cooler HVAC tubing is directed to our sleeping area. The solar panel (it is pretty dusty, here) keeps the deep cycle 12 volt battery charged. The battery provides a consistent flow of electricity to the swamp cooler pump and fan. By the way, the green structure behind the truck is our fancy shower.

Comments

[variablechange]

How many gallons per hour does the bilge pump need to move? I imagine that a smaller pump would be plenty sufficient.

[johnny3h]

The goal is to keep ALL of the padding constantly wet.  That does not require much circulation it the water outlets around the top of the pad are adequate in number, spacing, and size.

In the whole-house window unit swamp coolers I recall as a kid 60 years ago, the pump was nothing more than a CHEAP SUMP PUMP that people used to keep their basement sumps pumped out. They operated on 110-120 AC volts so they simply were attached to the wiring for the blower fan.

A small boat bilge pump should be adequate, but you would need a 12 volt DC power supply of the proper current [Amps] rating.

[tooyellowdogs]

The issue is more having enough pump power to furnish enough head pressure to get the water up to the top. You can control the output by limiting the number and size of the output holes. You are right, you only need a trickle of water thru the pad. But it takes a sufficient pump to get it up there.

[mwetzler]

nice shower; i want to camp with you!

[richardcole]

im not understand this whole project. from where it is look like cooler.... ???? tell me.

[tooyellowdogs]

If I understand your question...the theory is to pull dry, hot air through a wet material. this causes evaporation of water which cools the air 20-30 degrees F. When this air blows on you via a fan, you are cooler. the lower the humidity of the outside air (hotter and dryer), the better it works. there are big,metal ones installed on top of homes and businesses in the Western US to cool the air inside. This project is made from recycled and easily obtainable materials.

[Galileogst]

This is so awesome! My family and I hope to attend Burning Man next year, so I'm always on the lookout for ways to keep us comfortable in the extreme environment. I have not read all of the comments, so please forgive me if someone has already asked, but would you consider doing an instructable on how all of your burning man "home" items are made and used. Like the truck tent, the shower, your kitchen, etc. It's all so great looking and you did a wonderful job! Thanks for taking the time and energy to share. :)

[tooyellowdogs]

i'd be glad to help you. The truck tent is a Flip-Pac, they have a web site. Most other Burning Man related questions can be answered by searching e-playa, accessed from the Burning Man website. I have addressed our grey water disposal method (refined over 5 years) there, you can search for posts by author, look for Yellowdog. PM me at [e-mail] if you need.

[Galileogst]

Thanks for the information! I'll check it out!