Condensation? Do you use these..van in storage 6 weeks (1 Viewer)

[Marvic]

 

[Boringfrog]

Waste of money IMHO.

 

[Badknee]

No, drain down completely,open all cupboards and drawers, make sure vents are open under cooker and leave. Ventilation is the key.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[filopastry]

Waste of money IMHO.

DITTO DITTO DITTO. See these for sale in France all the time, just don't work.
For mold to grow and flourish one needs damp air that is static. Change any one, or both of those ingredients and no mold. Best remedy is fresh air. Heating the air only increases the airs ability to hold moisture and then if/when it cools = mold.

 

[StephandJohn]

We do (although we have granules not the 'tablets' you seem to have) and they do collect water. Ours is in storage from August to the following March generally although we do take it out occasionally during that time) and we find it does not collect water until the cold and damp really sets in around December usually. We put one near the door and one in the middle of the van.

 

[StephandJohn]

We do all the other things mentioned too. We don't have any damp but are usually surprised how much water collects.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I’ve always used “granule” type in the van during the winter.

They collect moisture and need emptying and refilling fairy regularly and we’ve never had a hint of condensation or damp in the van.

Can’t really say any more than that.

 

[scotzsue]

Also use granule type collect a bit of water, but not much. We do use the van in winter, just back after a one nighter at a folk do, it was freezing, well 1 degree, don't think the ventilation we used will have been enough to dispel the moisture from boiling the kettle though, so just a precaution really.

 

[pappajohn]

Losing battle......
By removing the moisture from the air it simply promotes yet more moist air to enter via vents as fast as the granules/tablets remove it.
Ventilation is the only answer.
Doors and drawers open to prevent swelling and jamming.
Roof vent slightly open and floor vents uncovered.
Dash vents open to external air and directed to floor level to stop windscreen condensation.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Marvic]

Thanks for info. Van on a farm site. Roof vents open ,not sure about this. Worried about mice. They can squeeze in anywhere.

 

[Podney]

As pappajohn said...plus take it out for a good run at least once a month. All machines need to be worked. It keeps everything working....brakes,clutch.gearbox,suspension. Try to do 20 to 30 miles of different driving styles i.e. Italian tune up on the motorway,town/village to use gears etc.

 

[StephandJohn]

I'd worry about mice too. Someone turned up on a site we were on in France with that problem. He'd just got his van out of storage and discovered it was infested with mice. They were having a lovely time chewing through his upholstery, wires etc etc.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Silver-Fox]

Do you really need to open roof vents as ours allows a draught in anyway if the blind is pulled back a bit

 

[Bailey 15]

Use your van! How can you afford to lay something up that cost that much?
Even if it’s for short weekends use it no mould then

 

[Minxy]

You shouldn't need to leave any roof vents open as they normally have some gaps to allow for air to enter/exit anyway, as well as other smaller vents in the camper too - just open up drawers and cupboard doors and if the contents are pushed to the back, just pull them away from it a bit, same with seat cushions etc so you leave a gap behind them so that the air can circulate and not get 'stale' which is what usually causes damp/mould; also air the van occasionally if you can't take it out by going to it on a nice dry day and opening the doors, roof vents etc for a little while.

Forget the water collector things, humidifiers etc, they are a total waste of money IMV as all they do is remove damp from the air that is immediately replaced by the air coming in from outside.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mfw]

The larger dessicants 3in square roughly will pull out moisture i put a few in cupboards

 

[SmithsInFrance]

My Aunty Bertha always used to put a kilo of ordinary table salt in a washing up bowl in her static caravan and it worked just like the expensive dessicants. She would go halfway through the winter and empty the water out so the washing up bowl didn't overflow (just shows how effective the salt was and a fraction of the price).

 

[Chris]

I have got a British van so I just put hundreds of bowls on the floor to catch the drips.

#winterised.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

If mice are going to get in they'll get in regardless of intentionally left open vents.
Dash bulkhead/firewall is favourite.
dashboard Air vents.
They WILL find a way in somewhere.
Less chance of them taking residence if there's no warmth or food...even crumbs.

 

[Chris]

If mice are going to get in they'll get in regardless of intentionally left open vents.
Dash bulkhead/firewall is favourite.
dashboard Air vents.
They WILL find a way in somewhere.
Less chance if there's no warmth or food...even crumbs.

They won’t go into British vans - too damp.

 

[pappajohn]

The larger dessicants 3in square roughly will pull out moisture i put a few in cupboards

And they cause a vacuum in the cupboards ?
Without that vacuum all the moisture you remove is instantly replaced by fresh moist air so all you're really doing is keeping the manufacturers wealthy..
The air will only hold so much moisture for a given volume and by removing it you just make room for it to be replenished.
Bit like a bath and running tap....you can empty the bath (van) with a cup (dessicant) but the tap (fresh air) keeps topping it up.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MitchandJenny]

Keep saying it Chris ! ! !
Someone WILL "bite" eventually...
Mitch.

 

[Chris]

Keep saying it Chris ! ! !
Someone WILL "bite" eventually...
Mitch.

I think they are all polishing their Hymers

 

[MitchandJenny]

Must have shitty Gel coats.......
Mitch.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

They won’t go into British vans - too damp.

Think the little buggers have sussed that one out..

 

[Marvic]

Use your van! How can you afford to lay something up that cost that much?
Even if it’s for short weekends use it no mould then

Flight to Spain for Jan a month in hotel

 

[Dorset Diver]

I’ve always used “granule” type in the van during the winter.

They collect moisture and need emptying and refilling fairy regularly and we’ve never had a hint of condensation or damp in the van.

Can’t really say any more than that.

You could explain how they work in a relatively large area in which the air is not constantly moving .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[filopastry]

Tis true as mention by others, use dehumidifiers be they cristal, electric or whatever method by reducing the humidity within old mother nature will find a way to reset the humidity balance with that outside unless you create a perfect seal against the outside. You could shrinkwrap the complete motorhome to that effect but so much easier, cheaper and effective to take out all consumables, open all cupboards, place cushions on their edge to present the greater surface to the free air, lift the bed matress to improve circulation, empty all water including in the boiler do not heat and then visit and open all doors and vents for a little while to change the air .... BUT ... beware if there is a rapid increase in ambiant temperature ie abnormal warm day in winter, the increased air temperature will almost certainly carry a high humidity level and opening the MH and letting warm moist air into a cold interior will create an amazing amount of condensate within. It is a juggling act for sure. Now, how many balls can you keep in the air at once?

 

[PP Bear]

Been using one of these for 6 years and very good, well recommended.

Wouldn't be leaving any vents, windows or roof vents open. I do leave the interior doors ajar as I do the cupboard and also open the fridge door too, with the freezer flap held open.

It's each to their own, but I wouldn't be without this in the damp weather.
http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/unibond...MI6v7uk_Lc1wIVorvtCh3CjAgWEAQYASABEgJcnPD_BwE

 

[tonka]

I am in the "waste of time" camp.
Your van has a number of air vents to allow air flow and stop you getting killed by the gas appliances. These let in the outside air, which is full of moisture. So yes it's going to fill with water but just absorbed from the air and replaced as soon as you have done it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}