SO. There's a group buy underway. In keeping with HF rules, I'm starting a thread here to discuss the uses of Thermoflect thermal blankets, here in the DIY section.
Here's a snippet from the group-buy thread, which should be discussed here:
Quote:
Originally Posted by TFC Rick
I must have assumed it meant per square yard when I read that. We use these blankets in the OR to keep folks warm. I have only played with a few. I sent some to another forum member who is a DIY magician (no pressure! lol) and we'll see what comes of it. I think they would work for lightweight style blankets. I have no idea of the durability or packability but they are very light and throw back alot of heat from your body.
Really looking forward to what comes from this. Thanks guys for always pushing ideas on here.
Crud... I have to DO something with these? I'm no magician... Illusionist? maybe... Heck, I got you fooled!
Yes, these are pretty light. Best I can tell it's a spun poly fabric that's been aluminized. They're "ok" warm, but IMHO, So Far, not as good as Insultex, but we'll see.
I have a test-bed UQ (ok, an UQ sized envelope of ripstop with drawstrings) I'm going to slide one in and see how warm it is... More to come...
Quote:
Originally Posted by TFC Rick
You know WV I'm not sure. I tried to blow on them and couldn't feel anything on the other side, but it may just be a really tight weave. They should be pretty useful considering.
Using the "breath test:" I don't think they're a vapor barrier, but pretty close, similar to IX, I think they'll breathe, but very little. more like a vapor resistor...
OK, Some details: the one I have is 4'x4', with rounded corners and a cutout for your head. If I ignore the cutout, and square it off, it's 16-sq ft = 1.78sq yds. Weight: 2.4oz. Oz/sq yd = 1.34oz. Of course with the missing fabric, it's probably more like 1.4-1.5oz/yd... so, yes, it's light, but not as light as 1.1 nylon.
Ideas for use:
If I had to guess, this will likely be similar to a space blanket when used between the hammock and an UQ, but with better breathability and a heck of a lot quieter. I'm wearing it like a cape, and it's definitely warm. It is hard to describe. It's not like having a blanket on you, it's like wearing a weak radiant space heater...
I wouldn't lay ON one of these, conduction will out-run reflection any day of the week. Reflectix has the advantage of being radiant reflector, and having some "loft" in a built-in air gap (ok, it's bubble wrap)... Try sitting on a space blanket on concrete... you'll still be cold...
Given their limited breathability, using one as an overcover (as sugessted above) will likely work well, but you'll need to leave SOME air holes to release moisture and get some air exchange.
In a survival situation, one of these built into the back wall of a lean-to would reflect fire-heat and keep you really warm...
I am going out on a limb here, but I am thinking this will work best when there's a small air gap between it and you. Super-form fitting and you will get conduction through the material. With an UQ, it would be best between the UQ and you, unless you're dealing with a lot of wind, then this on the outside would block the wind from robbing the heat from the UQ.
I like the Thermadrape UQ or TQ idea. I wonder how low you could go with just one, maybe 2 layers of this...
John
Other ideas?
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