Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Discussion about making bushwalking-related equipment.

Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby domonic » Thu 28 Sep, 2017 11:00 pm

If I am making a small tent out of non-breathable fabric, then I am probably going to use a vent at one end of the tent (covered in mesh). The waterproof awning will sit a few inches above that.

Does the venting need to be directly overhead to stop condensation build-up, or can the tend be open at just one end to stop that from happening? I don't think I'll stop it completely, but I just want to minimize it.
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby crollsurf » Fri 29 Sep, 2017 12:21 am

For a single walled tent, it is best to have venting from both ends to allow air flow. I've found breathing causes the most condensation so any escape route above your head would be best. If you only have one ventilation point, it would be best above your head, or there about.
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby Mark F » Fri 29 Sep, 2017 11:04 am

Agree with crollsurf. For reasonable venting you need to have a flow though system. There will be some air coming in under the fly edges but two proper vents work better especially if one is high and the other low. While you want an insect-proof interior, if you have a vent that just accesses the vestibule rather than the inner then avoid the mesh, it greatly impedes airflow if it is still or only a light breeze at night.
Another key source of moisture is from the ground enclosed by the vestibule which is not covered by the tent floor.
"Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to remove".
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby domonic » Sat 30 Sep, 2017 5:07 pm

Flow through it is. Thanks
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby rcaffin » Sat 30 Sep, 2017 7:54 pm

> Flow through it is.
Wise choice.

Cheers
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby Franco » Sun 08 Oct, 2017 11:28 am

As an example, one night up at Feathertop , on snow, for some reason I forgot to open up the vents on my Scarp.
In the morning most of the underside of the fly was wet with some drips from the apex( pole area) hitting the inner (I have a fabric inner in that one)
The next night the weather was pretty much identical, but having had the bottom and top vents open it was dry in the morning.
Same tent, same spot,same weather just some air flow enabled.
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Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby GPSGuided » Mon 09 Oct, 2017 9:26 am

Mark F wrote:Another key source of moisture is from the ground enclosed by the vestibule which is not covered by the tent floor.

Do you find using a groundsheet that covers the full area helps with this? Significant?Have not pitched without a groundsheet since the cadets days.
Just move it!
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby domonic » Sat 14 Oct, 2017 10:46 pm

.....

I will probably try to build something adequate into the tent I want to make.
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby rcaffin » Tue 17 Oct, 2017 8:29 pm

A full groundsheet helps a lot if the ground is wet. But you breath out a lot of water overnight.
Ventilation!

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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby legend » Mon 23 Oct, 2017 12:31 pm

Have a groundsheet covering the floor the of the vestibule. The grass/vegetation is constantly expiring water vapour, same as the human body. On a still night have a look on the underside of a nylon tarp suspended off the ground - it will be saturated.
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Re: Minimizing Tent Condensation?

Postby RonK » Mon 23 Oct, 2017 3:50 pm

I though this blog post I read recently gave worthwhile advice. How to prevent and manage condensation in a tent
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