I was pondering a idea using a leak diverter tarp. We have several of these deployed where I work at, and the rain water collected is significant. I was thinking in a remote location with painters bis queen and the fitting below you could rig up a simple rain collection system for water procurement. The system would cost under $10 and would be compact. I could use one of my waterproof bags as a collector or bucket for the water, while my shelter is built.

Any ideas?



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What's a leak diverter tarp?

As far as collecting rain water I would think any plastic tarp that channels the water to a bucket would work.

Very true, they use these in buildings that have a hole in the roof to temporary keep the water from getting all over the floor by diverting the water in a bucket. It's the same idea as the tarp to bucket but I was wondering if you made your tarp like a funnel if you could collect more water or not. The difference between the two is one has the above fitting with a hose for the water to go to and the other doesn't.

Should work like a champ. But then, so would rigging your tarp with a low side for water to run off of into a container...

True, I was wondering if you had a thin large surface are of bis queen in a slight funnel configuration if it would make any significant difference. I know the bigger the surface area the more water but I wonder if the configuration (funnel VS slope) would make any difference in collection of water.

My guess, being kinda uneducated in the math stuff, is that it would all depend on the size of the tarp. No matter what the shape, it should catch the same amout of water. But I may be wrong, I was wrong once before...

Dunno about where you guys live but here it's not likely to get a nice calm rain.

Gusty winds could do some SERIOUS damage to a lil leak diverting tarp made for indoors.

Just based on collection area: You would want the tarp to be as flat as possible and still direct the water. It's not so much surface area but projected area in the direction of rainfall. Cone or slope shouldn't make a difference, but for some reason I want to think the option with the center drain would be easier to setup. One hopes the rain is mostly vertical and not like I've been seeing the last couple of days - remnants of Gustav; 8.5 inches of rain total and 4 tornado warnings with 2 local siren activations today.

-Tommy

Very good points, That's for the advice, the contraption had stirred my curiosity at work, which is in a controlled environment and would probably not work in the field. It was a thought though.

They are pricey too, $70 for the cheapest one?

I know tarps are not cheap but $70 can get you a rather large one

I have tried a conventional tarp to collect rainwater and found getting the water off the tarp into a container to be a problem. particularly on long runs of tarp as the rate of flow onto the tarp increases it starts cascading sideways. As long as your around you can move the container to compensate but it can be a full time job. It isn't too much of an issue if the distance between the tarp and the container is very small and the opening into your collection basin wide but the tarp has to be kept low or the container held high if you don't want to have to keep adjusting the placement of the bucket to keep it under the flow.

The drain in the center of the tarp and hose makes the water flow much easier to control and limits splash. It also allows the use of a clamp on the hose to stop the flow temporarily. You wouldn't want to stop it for long because it would drag down or damage the tarp. Also if pieces of the ceiling or other debris come down it would be possible for the drain unit to clog and the tarp to become a suspended pool that could let go with spectacular results.

It looks like you could put a short collar or tube in the center fitting, so that the initial runoff, which will contain accumulated dust, grime, leaves, etc., will pool around the fitting rather than run down into the collector. This could be beneficial, but you'll have to have a way to drain off that water, too. Just a thought . . .

Jeff

Makes sense...

Improvised rain collection tarps have been created by sailors for many, many years. They work well.

Same thing can be done with a GI poncho. Just string it up flat as you can and put a bucket under the place where your head goes through. The hood catches most of the water and causes the flow to be pretty stable.

Not good for very windy locations, but moderate winds don't seem to bother it very much. especially if you restrict the neck opening a bit so there is always some water on the tarp.

Nomad.