Hi Bob
My name is Sergei Dubovik, Im Operations manager at Fantastic Asia Ltd – a full service adventure travel company based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
We are currently looking for the dome tents to replace traditional (and heavy) kyrgyz yurts with a more modern/lightweight structures. So I came across your web site to realize your tents look more stronger against many others MUCH more expensive and well known brands.
We think of two yurts – 18″ and one 8″ to use for washing. 3 all together. The domes will be placed up in Kyrgyz Tien Shan mountains for the winter period to serve backcountry skiers. Outside temperature may drop down as low as – 25 – 30 Centigrade ( abt – 13-22 F)
For that reason I have a few questions to ask you about your products:
1. What are the strongest tents agains snowfalls?
18′
2. They are single wall tents on default, aren’t they?
yes, but we offer liners https://shelter-systems.com/accessories.html
3. What is waterproof/breathability for them?
all panels are shingled for excellent water tightness and breathability
4. PVC poles – can they stand at extreme low temperatures? (max -13-22F) are they better than Aluminum poles?
yes but should be put up warmed :
Putting Up Your Dome In Cold Weather:
Your dome’s poles are made of PVC, a thermo plastic, which gets stiffer when cold. Because assembling a dome requires slight bending of the poles, it is preferable to do this in the daytime when air temperatures are warmer. You can warm cold poles by wrapping them in a blanket or sleeping bag with many bottles of very hot water. In very cold weather, if you do not pre-warm your poles it is possible for some to break, but since each dome comes with 4 extra poles, you should still be able to complete your dome.
5. Any spare poles or repair kit included into the package?
4 door poles can serve as extras or you can get extra and repair kit:
https://shelter-systems.com/accessories.html
6. Is that possible to use wood stoves inside? Is there chimney exit on the roof planned or how this can be solved without burning the tent down?
yes, see: https://shelter-systems.com/lighthouse-manual.html
Dear Bob,
I hope you are the correct person to ask these questions and if not, please feel free to forward my questions to the correct person. I purchased my 18′ foot dome about a year and a half ago and have totally enjoyed camping in it, but am experienceing some things I would like to fix or stop from happening.
1. the edges on the doors and where everything is shingled are folding and curling is there something that can be done to make them more flat. Small amount of heat to press or anything to take that out.
controlled low heat ironing may work but be careful not to melt the fabric
uv tape is another idea; see our accessory page and online manual
2. When putting the dome together, usually 1 of the 4 top shingled areas is not taught enough to stay closed. The plastic tarp has folded and rolled and stays sort of open and cause a breach for water.
try the uv tape on outer shingle
un clipping; adjusting seam then re-clipping
3. Any new ideas on securing the floor cloth and sides to be sealed better for insects crawling in.
burying domes skit
uv tape floor to inner wall
Thank you in advance for your assistance in these matter.
Sincerely,
Tommye
stove installation
Stove installation:
Place your stove a safe distance from the dome wall on a certified fireproof mat or bricks. When deciding what height to have your stovepipe going through the wall, keep in mind all stovepipes must be at least 18 inches from any dome pole, otherwise they will melt. This means your horizontal stovepipe must be low enough, as well as long enough to keep the vertical sections of pipe a safe distance from the poles Use insulated stovepipe.
Here is one way to install a wood stove using a plywood panel. Check for local codes in installing and using stoves. To do this, roll up one of the doors and tie it so it stays safely out of the way. Cut a piece of plywood that is the same shape as the door opening, but slightly bigger by about 2″ on each side for a tight fit, such that the sides of the door openings overlap the outside of the plywood. Drill a small hole at the top of each upper corner. Shingle this in place by propping it into the door opening with the top edge inside the dome and the bottom edge outside the dome. Tie the upper two comers to the nearest interior clips as you would a liner (above). You can if you want attach the door opening sides to the plywood with 1″ by 1/4″ strips of wood nailed or stapled over the overlap of the door opening. You should use 3/8″ to 1/2″ plywood that’s made with exterior grade glue so that it holds up well when wet.
Safe use of a stove inside a dome:Keep all flames and heat away from your dome’s covering, poles, and other objects in your dome. Only use insolated pipe, elbows, stove jack, and pipe fittings. If possible, have your stovepipe come out the back of your stove and pass through the plywood wall. If your stovepipe exits your stove at the top then place an elbow bend as close to your stove as possible. Attach a horizontal section of pipe to your stove so that the pipe will slant slightly down towards the outside. This will keep rain from following the pipe in and drip inside your dome. Place an elbow bend on the stovepipe on the outside of your dome, and support it with galvanized steel wire attached to steel pipes to support and stabilize the pipe outside the dome. Loop wire also around the elbow so it supports the weight of the horizontal pipe. The wires should be tight enough to lift the horizontal pipe so that it is centered through the hole in the wall and not touching the fabric. Local codes may require other installation procedures.
Carefully follow the instructions that come with your stove or heater. Use a vented heater so that combustibles are expelled smoke and gasses from heater to the outside of your dome. Water is a byproduct of all fuels are burnt, which can cause water vapor adding to dampness in your dome, and more importantly, most heaters can produce carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide, both of which are highly dangerous and can be deadly. There are some indoor heaters that claim to be safe to use without ventilation. Read and follow their instructions carefully.
Warning about using a stove in your dome: Do not make your dome airtight as you would suffocate. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not use an fuel consuming appliances, heaters, or stoves without venting the fumes to the outside of your dome. Leave a crack in the door as combustion devices consume oxygen.
7. Would you recommend a liner for such temperatures meaning we provide heat thru the night refilling wood stoves?
liner would be nice but is not necessary if you keep fire going
8. Shipment to Kyrgyzstan (would be great if you can – if not its not a big deal)
please ask https://shelter-systems.com/accessories.html
Heaps sorry for so many questions and look forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards
Sergei Dubovik
Operations manager
_______________________________
Fantastic Asia Travel Company Limited
Our world – Your adventure
KYRGYZSTAN: +996 555 30 30 25
KAZAKHSTAN: +7 777 690 89 73
TAJIKISTAN: + 992 917 32 32 98
SKYPE: FANTASTIC-ASIA
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB: www.FantasticAsia.net