royST
ann arbor
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Joined: 03/17/2011
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Has anyone heard about solar tents? I just recently came across an article about this. Looks really cool and thinking of getting one, but I'm wondering if it's really going to be worth the price tag. I haven't been tent camping for a while, and would really appreciate the thoughts of you seasoned tent campers about it.
Many thanks!
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alex k
jim thorpe pa
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Joined: 10/01/2008
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a nice idea , but what would the cost be ? i think big $$$$ for a limited use .
better idea would be to get a free standing solar panal and a deep cycle battery if power was that important to you .
i tent with limited electrical needs , nws alert radio and a recharageable coleman lantern .
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royST
ann arbor
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Thanks for the suggestion, alex. I'd really like to take my kids tent camping to get the experience 'coz they've only been exposed to RVing. Thing is, one of my kids has got asthma so we need the power for his ventilator which he needs to use twice a day.
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Vapor_Trails
Yucaipa, CA
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Joined: 09/29/2004
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royST wrote: Looks really cool and thinking of getting one, but I'm wondering if it's really going to be worth the price tag. Unless you're going to stay in it for an extended period of time I wouldn't think so. The suggestion of an inverter, a deep cycle battery and some means of charging it would be a lot more cost effective.
68 Me & DW - 93 DD - 03 DD
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A day without fusion is like a day without sunshine.
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Grub
Pierre
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First impression.
Damn that thing would get HOT being out in the sun, the idea of solar panels is to absorb sunlight...and with that comes heat!
Any day enjoying the great outdoors beats any day enjoying your 8x8 office cube!
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Brassica
Snow belt
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“The best situations for this are the large party tents,”
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retiredtraveler
Woodstock Il --- GO HIKING!!!!
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As an ex tent camper and current solar user, I would have to agree with other posters. An inverter, deep cycle battery, and solar panels if you want to go this route. Still expensive --- solar panels are not cheap. But you have far more options getting your choice of a 'regular' tent and adding the other items.
However, before doing anything, you need to define your needs and how much power you need.
What is the amperage draw of that ventilator?
We dry camp for weeks at a time, so we need the panels. But if you're looking for power for a weekend, a couple of deep cycle batteries sans solar panels would do. You'd charge the batteries at home with a relatively inexpensive battery charger.
I love solar, but don't want people to go that route (due to cost) unless they have some pretty good reasons.
Pup: 2007 Jayco 1206 w/slide-out + shower
surge brakes, 54w solar panel
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25 years tent camping, 4000+ miles of hiking, lots of biking
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