Carthago windscreen (2 Viewers)

[Minxy]

Don't understand that part, we always use our Silver Screens and put them on as soon as we notice the screen misting over. In the summer, we will use the internal screens, unless it's very hot and the sun is shining on the screen, then the external screens go on again.

You're one of the few who do then, not one of the many who don't. It is rare to see a MH on an aire with external screens on, sometimes internal ones though.

We have been on the odd aire before when we've decided to move although this is very much the exception - the last time was when it was a lovely quiet spot next to the beach but the local town a few km away had a massive disco that started up late at night and by 1.00 am we'd had enough! Had we used external screens we'd have had to try to remove them in the dark (no lighting) in our pjs ... er, no thanks!

 

[jezport]

Its the basic laws of physics. Warm moist air hits cold surface and moisture from the air condenses.
However with a £100k+ motorhome. They should provide top quality thermal screens.
They are not really Carthago now they are Burstners. I loved the old style real Carthagos, they were amazing quality.

 

[Charlie]

Are you sure the patent rights are still active? We have a Kia and a Citroen both with heated windscreens, although the Kia has just the bottom half heated to stop the wipers sticking to the screen. Both windscreens clear very quickly.

Ford have the patent for the full matrix type screen where all of the screen has that fine element that you can only see in certain light.. Quite different to the other types out there. I believe it possible to get away with certain copy or partial copy but step over the line and litigation would follow.

I've had a few Fords and Jags with that brilliant screen and miss it very much on the cars we have now.

Whilst the heated screen clears frost in no time I would question how much condensation it's capable of clearing. But I have never used one for that .

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[Charlie]

quite right charlie,but there should be some kind of a drainage system other than relying on a towel to soak it up , i deal with condensation as a problem with my job,i can just see the customers face if i told them to stick a towel under it

Would it help if they supplied a towel ?

 

[laird of Dunstan]

Would it help if they supplied a towel ?

that would be usefull,normally by the time i get there they have a bucket beneath it catching the drip, usually its the anti condensation pump thats gone up the swanny or the drain hoses are blocked, dont half make a mess when its dripped onto on of those white ceiling tiles

 

[Robert Clark]

We've got a Carthago A class - the quick and easy way to keep the windscreen clear of condensation is to use a Karcher Window Vac. Takes less than a minute and works a treat
Better than lugging screen covers about, especially if it's been pouring with rain an they're wet and dirty
Carthago do make external screen covers, but you shouldn't need them if you have a window vac

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[Allanm]

You're one of the few who do then, not one of the many who don't. It is rare to see a MH on an aire with external screens on, sometimes internal ones though.

We have been on the odd aire before when we've decided to move although this is very much the exception - the last time was when it was a lovely quiet spot next to the beach but the local town a few km away had a massive disco that started up late at night and by 1.00 am we'd had enough! Had we used external screens we'd have had to try to remove them in the dark (no lighting) in our pjs ... er, no thanks!

It must be the Aires others go to, we aren't particularly picky, but choose Aires we like the look of and have never felt worried. it has never occurred tome that we might want to leave an aire or anywhere else in a hurry, and we have been motor homing on and off since 1987. We always walk our dogs last thing before we go to bed and most other people in their vans have gone to bed. I have noticed that many foreign vehicles have internal blinds but plenty put screens of one type and another on the outside. A couple of nights ago we were at an aire at Val Andre in Brittany. All foreign vans but us, ( about 6 in all, ) 4 with external screens and 2 with internal blinds.
But, I see your point. Each to their own and if you feel safer doing what you do, that's fine.

 

[Forestboy]

If you have external screens then yes but if you're on an aire etc then most people won't use them .

Why would I not use external screens on an Aire if I have them that just doesn't make any sense at all.
We have been staying on Aires all over Europe for 8 to 10 years and use our external screens whenever needed as do loads of others.
Far better than clearing up the mess condensation causes.

Don't understand that part, we always use our Silver Screens and put them on as soon as we notice the screen misting over. In the summer, we will use the internal screens, unless it's very hot and the sun is shining on the screen, then the external screens go on again.

Same here

 

[iandsm]

Have you made a 'nappy' for yours to stop it 'piddling' when you accidentally turn it sideways?

No but I might, although to be fair mine only sits if I let it get overfull.

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[Dorset Diver]

Ford and Jaguar have the patent rights to heated front screens. Jaguar only have it because they were once owned by Ford.
The heated screen is an awesome invention and so many manufacturers would be copying and using it but they can't ....

My 2014 Volvo XC70 has an electrically heated windscreen.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Our similarly priced Carthago started with the same problem and to some extent still has it. However we have found that:

1. Initially it was not fully dry inside but with use (airing) the problem reduced.
2. Leaving a 2" gap between the top and bottom of the screen blind allows some air circulation which helps reduce the problem.
3. When it is really cold we leave the heating on overnight set at 16C.
4. The external blind is a pain in the arse.
5. Hymer have the best idea. They have double heater vents and the lower edge of the screen blind sits between them so it is heated on both sides and the screen stays warm and clear.

 

[Forestboy]

My 2014 Volvo XC70 has an electrically heated windscreen.

Likewise our 2010 Mondeo.
Still doesn't stop condensation though just clears it up same as a towel or karcher.

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[Charlie]

My 2014 Volvo XC70 has an electrically heated windscreen.

Volvo are in with Ford.... It is Ford who hold the cards and they share the patents with thier partners .

 

[Dorset Diver]

Volvo are in with Ford.... It is Ford who hold the cards and they share the patents with thier partners .

They were some years ago but not now.

 

[funflair]

As Charlie says it's just pretty basic physics, and it's not how much you pay that dictates the amount of condensation you get on the screen, if you paid closer to £200k though and bought a Concorde or Morelo or even a Niesmann+Bischoff Flair with the Alde heating system they have an insulated aluminium roller blind and then the heating system has convectors between this and the screen, which I would guess would go a low way towards eradicating the problem.

We have the blind but not the heating convectors but have very few problems with condensation, if it's freezing outside the screen will steam up with the blind up, there again we use the best and cheapest solution and that is ventilation.

Martin

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[maz]

Silverscreens don't just stop condensation. They also stop the windscreen from radiating cold at you as you sit in the captain's chairs. Much cosier.

 

[funflair]

Silverscreens don't just stop condensation. They also stop the windscreen from radiating cold at you as you sit in the captain's chairs. Much cosier.

Correct, but they stop you seeing out as well so I only put them on if it is really cold, I like the A class screen for the view while driving but also while parked up.

Martin

 

[Clarky]

We've had some chilly nights on this trip but our Carthago screen has had very little condensation on the inside. The pull down blind has some insulation and there are two large heater vents on top of the dash that feed air both sides of the blind.
Haven't had to resort to the window vac yet but did run the engine for a few minutes before driving off this morning.
Just make sure there is a little ventilation at night and be sure to open the vent over the kitchen area when cooking. Job done.

Richard.

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[Charlie]

They were some years ago but not now.

Jaguar were also owned by Ford and had the patent shared with them . The same applies to the partnership with Volvo they allowed Volvo to use the idea. Obviously the agreement still allows both Jaguar and Volvo to continue to use the screen patent unless your Volvo was built while the partnership was live.... Next ?

 

[maz]

Correct, but they stop you seeing out as well so I only put them on if it is really cold, I like the A class screen for the view while driving but also while parked up.

Martin

But with the captain's chairs turned towards the lounge you've got your back to any view out of the windscreen .........

 

[Charlie]

We've had some chilly nights on this trip but our Carthago screen has had very little condensation on the inside. The pull down blind has some insulation and there are two large heater vents on top of the dash that feed air both sides of the blind.
Haven't had to resort to the window vac yet but did run the engine for a few minutes before driving off this morning.
Just make sure there is a little ventilation at night and be sure to open the vent over the kitchen area when cooking. Job done.

Richard.

The level of condensation range can be enormous. It can be down to how many occupants and what they are doing Plus if they are cooking a.. Are there windows open ? Level of ventilation ? The list is endless.

Add in no two sets of circumstances will be the same. Different outside temperatures and the variation in how low or high we have the heating.

All will give a massively differeing amount of the actual water forming on the inside of the screen.

Anyway...... Why is it deemed the cost of the motorhome makes a difference ? Our van when new cost half what the OP paid but are we not entitled to the same level of condensation control.

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[Mr B]

Ford have the patent for the full matrix type screen where all of the screen has that fine element that you can only see in certain light.. Quite different to the other types out there. I believe it possible to get away with certain copy or partial copy but step over the line and litigation would follow.

I've had a few Fords and Jags with that brilliant screen and miss it very much on the cars we have now.

Whilst the heated screen clears frost in no time I would question how much condensation it's capable of clearing. But I have never used one for that .

I always thought that a patent only lasted 10 years, ie Yamahas EXUP valve and dysons cyclone thingy...
But I could be wrong..

 

[Dorset Diver]

Jag and Ford may have a patent on a particular design but there are many types. I particularly like the type that has a microscopically thin gold film in the laminate.

 

[Charlie]

I always thought that a patent only lasted 10 years, ie Yamahas EXUP valve and dysons cyclone thingy...
But I could be wrong..

No your right but when the person or company takes out a patent they can reserve first option on it when the expiry date is due...

Suzuki came up with the SET valve just as Yamahas patent ran out. Yamaha were reputed to have had the option to renew but thought the exhaust valve was getting a little outdated. On our race bikes the EXUP valve was one of the first things we ditched.

I have recently parted with two Fords both with heated screens.. How I missed that option when it was frosty last week ! One of the best and most popular options on Ford vehicles !

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[Charlie]

Jag and Ford may have a patent on a particular design but there are many types. I particularly like the type that has a microscopically thin gold film in the laminate.

I said just that above ! Take a look its there. No one yet has come up with an instant frost remover anywhere near as good as the full matrix element screen . There have been a few attempts but none that work as well.. There has been much criticism of those screens with the strange films on them.

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought the Ford patent ran out a couple of years ago.
Heated screens are on Hymers option list for A Class vans.

 

[Charlie]

I thought the Ford patent ran out a couple of years ago.
Heated screens are on Hymers option list for A Class vans.

Heated screens come in all shapes and sizes. Only Ford and the other car manufacturers they are or were in partnership have the full electric matrix . Ford retain the patent at this time.

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[wingman]

Whatever happened to those old electric de-misters on cars?

Can't remember if they had a proper name, but they looked like a strip of aluminium with a black rubber sucker at each end.

Superseded by today's technology and power-hungry, but a precursor to today's heated screens perhaps (albeit stuck to the interior of the windscreen)

 

[Charlie]

Whatever happened to those old electric de-misters on cars?

Can't remember if they had a proper name, but they looked like a strip of aluminium with a black rubber sucker at each end.

Superseded by today's technology and power-hungry, but a precursor to today's heated screens perhaps (albeit stuck to the interior of the windscreen)

They melted them for scrap to make caravans with

 

[Allanm]

Hi.
Air flow. You have spent a lot of money and you have got an A class,thats air tight,so that's one point in its favour. So you need to circulate air around. Happens sometimes in houses.
Tea Bag

It should not be air tight, since 1998 there have been regulations governing the minimum level of ventilation in new motorhomes and caravans, so, there must be a through flow of air otherwise you would suffocate.
Lack of ventilation can cause condensation to build up which will make an already humid interior worse.
Apparently, the new regulations are designed to help retain heat and reduce draughts.
Our van ( excluding the cab) has 5 side windows and 5 roof lights, all of which are vented and as they are a mixture of Dometic and Remis I should think they are the same that all other British and European vans are fitted with.
We get condensation on the windscreen if it is colder outside than inside so use our Silver Screens.
No need for anything else.
We have a house in Brittany that suffers from high humidity in Winter ( as do most French houses here) we have new double glazed argon filled windows with shutters and trickle vents to reduce humidity but even with no one in the house, furnishings can get damp and musty. The answer is, in new build houses that are designed to be airtight, a whole house ventilation system and in older less insulated houses, a PIV or positive input ventilation system.
So, ventilation is a must. Without it, humidity will be high and condensation will be worse.
Right, I'm getting off my soapbox right now!

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