Otter Portable

[Yukon Don]

I'd like to get some advice concerning my Otter Magnum Lodge. I just purchased it so it's the new fabric with the squarte tubing. I've used it a couple of times now and have noticed that the fabric sweats a lot to the point of dripping. I heat it with a sunflower. I've not been opening the vents on top, does that make a big difference? It seems like there's enough venting around the bottom. Anybody else have this issue or any advice on how to reduce this sweating effect? Appreciate your replies, Yukon Don

[hanson]

I believe that is a fact of life with a sunflower heater in a portable with cold outside temperatures. My dad's 4x8 suitcase did the same thing. My Otter does it too.

Typically my house will frost up on the inside when fishing. Usually happens towards the evening when the outside temp drops and the sun disappears.

When I go out fishing the next time, the frost is still in the house and the heater melts it in a hurry and starts dripping water. It'll eventually dry out but the cycle continues as the house starts to frost up again in the evening.

[EBass]

Yup, it's the price to pay for ice fishing in a portable. There was a thread about this and someone mentioned canvas craft not doing that since it was insulated canvas?!?!

A little water never hurt anyone. It's cold though when it finds your neck. Brrr

[bobO]

I think it a lot better than having to load and unload a permo house on to trailer or worry about it sinking or getting broke into while its on the lake. We just sold our permo and man is it nice not to have to load and unload it onto the lake. there alot of work and hassel. just my two cents on permos.

[Moose-Hunter]

Hey there Don...

I too think it's just the price of doing business in a portable. Heating with propane, especially with an open flame heater such as a sunflower style, produces mositure as a by-product of combustion. Then you have the moisture produced from the ice/snow melt in front of the sled and even your own breathing...

I have an Otter Lodge also and opening the vents as well as the top of the door zipper does help, but does not completely solve the problem. I heat with a Buddy style heater and still wind up with a bit of moisture. The colder to outside temp, the more moisture. After fishing, if possible, set your house up to dry out. A small fan really helps. Better to start with a dry house rather than putting moisture on top of moisture.

So until they invent a small portable forced air heater for portables, I feel we're just going to have to live with it.

[frozen toes]

I also have an Otter Lodge. Opening the top vents will help, but will not totally eliminate the condensation. I usually only have that problem when it is really cold and overcast. If it is sunny, the condensation doesn't usually build at all. So, keep the heater on the lowest setting you can handle and leave at least one of the vents open and it should be much better.