Shade
Shade is a crucial part of life in the desert. It is the first module that we install when setting up camp.
As of 2015 we mostly use a modular type of shade structure that is easy to assemble and can be reconfigured to adapt to many situations. Our setup is composed of 1 inch diameter flat roof fittings, 1 inch diameter Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) conduit and orange poly tarps.
Shade components
Fittings
Conduit
Tarps
Shade Installation
Assemble the frame
1. Decide overall size of shade
Follow design on Urban Plan if available. Sizes often used are: 10'x10', 10'x20', 20'x20', 20'x30'
2. Select necessary fittings
3. Place fittings and conduit on the ground roughly where the shade is going to be used.
4. Connect horizontal conduit to fittings. The end of the fittings to which the vertical conduits will be connected must be facing the ground. For each connection, screw the eye bolt by hand then rotate a couple of times using a screwdriver or similar to make sure the conduit is tightly connected to the fitting.
5. Connect vertical conduit (legs) to fittings on the frame that you assembled in the previous step. You can install legs by yourself one by one but it is easier (especially for newbies) to install legs of an entire side of the shade together (3 legs on a 20'x20' shade frame for instance) so ask a couple of friends to help you. Some people find it easier to start with the wider side of the frame especially on a 10'x20' frame. Secure each leg by screwing the eye bolt tight (same as above). Once you've done with one side, do the opposite side, then the center leg.
6. Place finished shade frame in final position.
Install guy lines
Install orange tarp
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL TARP IF THERE IS WIND
Tarp connects to frame with ball bungees.
Get a ladder or something safe to climb on. An orange Home Depot bucket is a good option that's often available at Disorient.
Start by connecting the 4 corners, then 4 side centers, then install the missing bungees. Make sure the pull is evenly distributed throughout the whole process. In other words, the space between the tarp and the horizontal conduit should be consistent on 4 sides.
Flooring
This is optional and is at the discretion of the person living under this shade.
Ground cloths are a great way to enhance the shade experience.
Shade break-down
Follow installation steps in reverse order:
1. Remove tarp.
2. Remove guy lines. Remove stakes from the ground so no one trips on a stake. Unused ground stakes can be very dangerous.
3. Disconnect legs from horizontal frame. Place frame on the ground.
4. Disconnect components of horizontal frame.
Maintenance
Safety
The greatest concern outdoor is shade flying away with a gust of wind. This always results in bent conduit and more importantly can hurt someone. To avoid this possibly disastrous effect it is important to keep the shade on the ground by regularly monitoring and tightening the guy lines. This is especially true for the first 3 days after shade installation as most guy lines stretch during that time.
Check the stability of the shade structure
Grab one of the vertical conduits for instance and shake the shade gently. If the whole structure moves more than 2 inches in any direction, the guy lines need to be tightened.
Rain
Rain water collected by the tarps create big puddles in the center of the tarps. If the tarp is correctly connected to the frame, this is not a problem. If anything the extra weight helps the shade stay grounded. You can easily remove the water by pushing the tarp up gently with a rounded object (so you don't pierce the tarp). You can also lower a corner of the tarp so water flows down as it rains.
