Poor man's camping humidifier

[Journeyman]

Homespun ingenuity ideas are way cool. You would have a machine that provides the air pressure you need with a battery. Hand warmers riged up somehow sounds possible. Might need something to help hold the heat as well. You could add some ceramic tiles to your box to help hold the heat? Trial and error testing in the works for sure. Sounds like it could work. A woodstove for heat to somehow warm the water that the air at said pressure needs to pass through to you. An idea, possibly a metal bucket or large pot lined with ceramic,or firebrick,or soapstone,or sandstone, etc. all have heat retention qualities. A plastic soda bottle or some container with air in and air out fittings inside the metal container at a tested distance from the woodstove. You might need some extra hose and hose covering. Testing and trial and error efforts, some additional ideas and bliss all night long.

[floboots]

The results are in after three days of camping. The poor man's humidifier was a success . . . sort of . . . maybe. But in the process, I came up with an easier and cheaper solution than my original one.

The first night, I set up the humidifier as described with the hand warmers and added an L-shaped piece of humidifier wicking material to the tank, with one end immersed in the water and the other end sticking into the exhaust port. I had no problems with dryness in the night, despite sleeping about three feet away from a wood stove all night long. In the morning, the wick was completely saturated, the hand warmers were still warm, but the water was cool, which caused me to believe the the hand warmers had no effect.

The second night, I simply put a new piece of humidifier wick in the tank, put the tank in the factory made humidifier, and slept well once again, with no dryness.

So, I'd encourage others to try this method of simply sticking a wick in the tank. The wick I bought was manufactured by a company called Kaz, is treated with an antimicrobial treatment, and had enough material to last me about two weeks. Best of all, it only cost 99 cents at the Salvation Army store.

[ChicagoGranny]

The results are in after three days of camping.

But you did not report the results. The proper measure of the results would be how much water left the tank and entered the airstream during the night. This measure can be obtained by noting the level of the water upon going to bed and the level upon arising.

The fact that you subjectively felt no dryness is not conclusive of the effectiveness of your rigged system. It may have been that without a humidifier at all you would have felt no dryness.

[floboots]

ChicagoGranny is correct: I neglected to report how much water left the tank. Fortunately, I made sure to look after using it the second night: using the wick alone depleted the tank by at least half.

[BudSky]

So, I'd encourage others to try this method of simply sticking a wick in the tank. The wick I bought was manufactured by a company called Kaz, is treated with an antimicrobial treatment, and had enough material to last me about two weeks. Best of all, it only cost 99 cents at the Salvation Army store.

I meant to mention it earlier but looks like you found a good solution- many times in a hotel I've stuck a hand towel into a water filled ice bucket and set it on top of the wall type heater/AC with part of it draped over the vent grill. It will supply an amazing amount of needed humidity when the heater is running.

[archangle]

I'm a little paranoid about the idea of wet spongy material and germ/mold growth.

[floboots]

I agree with concerns about mold growth. However, I think the possibility is low using antimicrobial filter material and changing it nightly.

[peggymcr]

I take at least 6 to 10 sheets of newspaper and fan fold it Separately into multiple fans fold each in half. Fill a bucket or pitcher or bowl half full of water. Put all of the folded ends in the water with 2or 3 inches showing above the edge of your container. Place this at least 4 feet away from your heat source. r e and near people. You will be happily surprised how often you will need to add water. Treats room air nicely by wicking water up over a large surface area to evaporate.