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Using my Prius to cool a tent

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Vysse, Sep 10, 2016.

  1. Vysse

    Vysse Junior Member

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    I'm going to be camping soon and after spending the night in my Prius and letting the AC run and keep me cool I had the brilliant idea of rigging something up to push the cold AC air from my Prius into a tent. I'd like to keep this project cheap as I have limited funds but wanted to see if any others have done anything like this that I can get some ideas from. I found a decent setup on a Gen 3 so I already have a few ideas.
     
    #1 Vysse, Sep 10, 2016
  2. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Well, easy to add a 12 volt fan, but this is going to cause your ICE to run on and off all night to maintain your HV battery if you leave the car in ready. And if the bears decide to drive off with your car, oh honey . . . .!
     
    #2 ILuvMyPriusToo, Sep 10, 2016
  3. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Just sleep in the car. There are lots of post about leaving the car in ready with the AC on. I doubt you could move much air with a small fan and a tent has no insulation.
     
    #3 William Redoubt, Sep 10, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think i've seen tents connected to the open hatch. don't know if they're custom, but seems like the way to go.
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 10, 2016
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    "Habitent" is a thing that does that. It's not very big, basically just gives you a nice life-sized area under the open hatch. Upside is it stows small enough to go in the glove box.

    I'm pretty sure on the older Gen 3 Camping thread, there are bigger tent arrangements shown, but I don't remember the details.

    -Chap
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Sep 10, 2016
  6. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Seems like trying to push enough cool air into the tent would be nearly impossible.

    Not sure if this fits your budget, but it looks like it would do what you're looking for.
     
    #6 tvpierce, Sep 11, 2016
  7. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    #7 Bill the Engineer, Sep 11, 2016
  8. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    #8 William Redoubt, Sep 11, 2016
    uber2016 likes this.
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    OP's question was in the Gen 2 area (car in profile is a 2009).

    But as for Gen 4, I bet somebody who has a Habitent could visit a dealer and see how much of a fit problem there is, if any. It's all floppy fabric and some wheel well and bumper straps, it might work pretty well as is, or only need a nip here and tuck there ... or they might have to design a whole new version.

    -Chap
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Sep 11, 2016
  10. Vysse

    Vysse Junior Member

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    Sorry for not responding sooner have been busy. So after reading into it a bit my tent wouldn't work with this idea. As for the Habitent it's cool and all but I couldn't see myself paying more then 50 for one. Those hatchback tents are on eBay for about 150 and I'm thinking I'll get one someday. I've decided that if I get to hot I'll just sleep in the Prius and if not I'll sleep in the tent for this trip. Thanks guys.
     
    #10 Vysse, Sep 13, 2016
    bisco likes this.
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