BLM office needles,great bunch of guys

[A Rooney]

I pulled into needles last week temperature 116,on my way to California and the guys at the BLM office really went out of there way to get me directed to a site off the highway in the mountains which offered their coolest campground,the road was compacted gravel and from the interstate to the campground I didn't see another vehicle.The blm campgrounds are basic,but free (or almost)at certain levels of heat fans are mostly useless,but there was a breeze in the night and sans clothes I climbed on the roof and watched the night sky,no buildings,no lights 360,and I thought Yeah this is why I dreamed all those years of buying a chinook.Thankful to the guys at the Blm for directing me to that night,along the old Spanish trail. A rooney

[Blue~Go]

Very cool! (So to speak ) So nice when good people take an interest and help out. Glad to hear it.

I agree that those hot temps are HOT. And a fan is not an AC. But I've found it fairly decent (as in after not too long I'm reaching for covers, believe it or not) to put a damp towel on me and then aim a marine fan right on my chest/stomach. By marine fan I mean something like a Hella Turbo fan or similar. Not that the Fantastic vent fan isn't useful (it is really good for bulk air exchange), but for some things you can't beat a fan aimed right on you. And as a bonus they only draw about .2 amps. I have one attached to the bottom of the overhead cabinet at my usual "foot end" of the couch and use it often in warm weather (or as white noise at a rest area or etc.)

I'm heading down that way in a week or so.... partially to get my Ford AC fixed. Gonna be a hot drive. (But cool on the way out with the AC back in shape...)

[A Rooney]

a practical suggestion Blue,and much appreciated..I did buy a fantastic breeze which I set up against a window,and it was superior to the roof fan,but that night was more an experience,than a time of peaceful sleep.I do like the idea of a damp washcloth on the chest,here in the southwest we use swamp coolers,which are essentially fans blowing thru a damp fiber,and I will investigate the small fan you mention.Years ago I might have questioned your "Marine" product/experience applied to rv's but reading your many posts and my own investigations following,have convinced me of the superior value of many marine items,whether that be electrical standards,appliances,or storage.....Your extensive experience in the marine world,and generous and friendly advice.Is most gratefully received, Rooney

[Blue~Go]

Thanks for the kind words. And yes, as you might guess, the "marine" fans aren't cheap. Surprise

I like the Hella Turbo, but none of them are perfect so it's a matter of preference. Another good brand is Caframo. Hmm, maybe I'll start a thread on these. I considered the Endless Breeze but it's a bit too amp thirsty for me, and I don't want to store it. Plus I have the Fantastic Vent for that "whole house" type of mass fannage.

You know, I've been meaning to check into the homemade swamp coolers. From time to time I end up in hot/dry climate (like now when I have to do an errand in low altitude Arizona....) and then a swamp cooler might be really nice. (Most of the time I don't think I'd want to carry the bulk, but for special occasions perhaps.) Have you made one?

I noticed that it didn't take you long to research and pick up on the various concepts (temp compensated charging, etc.). Also, I NEVER would have gotten that driver's side pillar and seatbelt cover off if it had not been for your description (I barely did anyway, geez what an ordeal.) Glad to see you posting here.

BG

[A Rooney]

The endless breeze is bulky boxy,but It fits within my personal storage scheme,as for amp draw,I don't have an inverter(yet). And with properly maintained batteries,using lights,fans,etc etc....I have yet to draw down below the high eighties (trimetric percentage) I have a single 150 watt panel flat on the roof.That said thrifty use of amps is always a good habit,I like the turbo and think it could be attached out of the way,so I may add one,thanks for the recommendation..I found the breeze leaned up against one window provides more felt air,than the roof fan....but it is not a very elegant arrangement..I have always wondered why there are no swamp coolers for rv's,but if Dometic ever makes one I hope they just sub out there electronics boards to dinosaur from the start.Rooney

[Blue~Go]

There did used to be swamps coolers for RV's (maybe still are). I had one come stock in a 70's trailer. Brand was Playmor or Playkool or something like that. It was in the stock 14" Air-Con type roof hole. At the time it was useless to me because I was in a muggy area. Now that I'm in a dry area more of the time, I've noted with interest that folks have functioning homemade ones. But they look a bit bulky (like they are made out of a cooler or similar).

If I remember correctly, the Endless Breeze draws close to 2 amps (1.9?). So that's about ten times what the marine fan draws, but of course it's larger and moves more air. On boats I never had the "huge" solar array that I have now (200 watts, LOL), and we often ran them 24/7 in the tropics, so 2 amps would never have cut it, plus no place to put it. Hence the Hella Turbo or similar, but aimed right on oneself. Seems to complement the roof fan with its "whole house air exchange" ability (but sometimes the outside air is just as hot; then a breeze right on you can't be beat).

I'm with you on conserving power - if you don't use it, you don't have to make it or replace it