Dehumidifier?

[Muddywheeler]

Has any one had any experience of using an electric dehumidifier in their motorhome when not in use preferably one with continuous drainage.

 

[funflair]

There are two schools of though on dehumidifiers, my view is why? you should not get condensation in the van without one when you are not living in it, much better with a bit of ventilation.

 

[Stealaway]

Not necessary - just keep a couple of vents open.
Fresh air is your friend

 

[68c]

We use one, not hugely efficient and expect to see a lot of water in the tank. The problem is there are so many permanent vents that you are trying to dry the whole world. May be worth looking round at the various openings, fridge vents, front door vents etc. Best not to close off the gas drop out vents as you may forget to remove it.

 

[Swifter]

We use one, not hugely efficient and expect to see a lot of water in the tank. The problem is there are so many permanent vents that you are trying to dry the whole world. May be worth looking round at the various openings, fridge vents, front door vents etc. Best not to close off the gas drop out vents as you may forget to remove it.

We have found the same . The dehumidifier fills up very quickly when it’s wet outside due to the drop out vents . At first I was pleased and thought I was doing a good job removing all the moisture from the motorhome . The reality was as you say , “ trying to dry the whole world “

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[Podney]

Forget it.

 

[poppycamper]

trying to dry the whole world “

As well as drawing in damp air through vents and into van so it can then also dry that out as well ....and over and over.

 

[Muddywheeler]

Thanks all for changing my thoughts on the subject as I store the van undercover I shall try ventilation prehaps leaving skylight open a bit?

 

[maison]

Thanks all for changing my thoughts on the subject as I store the van undercover I shall try ventilation prehaps leaving skylight open a bit?

If you store under cover then ventilation definitely is your friend.

 

[robnchris]

If you own an Autotrail the skylight in the roof will breath to outside, add to that air coming in via the battery housing if it's under the hab seats, the cabs vents etc there will be plenty of air movement, best advice is remove all the cushions and open all the doors, drawers etc., especially the fridge.

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[Ginster]

I leave my skylight open just a few centimetres and seems to do the job

 

[Simon Meadwell]

On my now sold Burstner I could crack open the vents for ventilation they had they had the bar opening mechanism. My new Bavaria has wind up vents that dont seem safe to leave cracked open so just hope we have enough ventilation generally

 

[busby]

Has any one had any experience of using an electric dehumidifier in their motorhome when not in use preferably one with continuous drainage.

Waste of time.BUSBY.

 

[Landy Andy]

Use a dehumidifier during the winter months. Keeps the moisture out of the air, it circulates the air, and mine has a drain tube that just shoves into shower waste so water just runs out of grey waste whilst parked up. I certainly notice it working in there.

 

[Chris51]

Never put heat or de-humidifier etc in last 5 years ---just ventilate over winter No damp even toilet rolls bone dry .

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[DBK]

Has any one had any experience of using an electric dehumidifier in their motorhome when not in use preferably one with continuous drainage.

You shouldn't need to use one but if the interior and upholstery has got a bit damp after a typical UK holiday then it will be a more energy efficient way of drying it out than turning the heating on.

If any open vents are only in the roof forget the "drying out the world" myth. Dry air is denser than moist air so the transfer of moisture from outside will be negligible.

The only risk is over-drying which could lead to wood shrinking too much but if you can set the RH% level to say 25% or 30% you will be safe.

 

[TheAleMan]

As has been said..waste of time and not needed. Our van is 13 years old and has no damp probs at all. Just natural ventilation in the van and a few air dry bags scattered around has done the job. Air dry bags can be placed on a radiator to dry out and be used again and again.

 

[Alanben]

I beg to disagree with the majority of the comments above. We always used a dehumidifier on our yacht, you don't get a sterner test than that! Without the dehumidifier, the varnish would get damp and tacky and the cushions would get damp. With the dehumidifier on, everything was dry to the touch. there was plenty of permanent ventilation as well. I can report that the sea didn't dry up. So we have always used one in the van and as Landy Andy says they circulate the air and provide a certain amount of warmth. We also drain directly into the shower tray.

 

[robnchris]

I beg to disagree with the majority of the comments above. We always used a dehumidifier on our yacht, you don't get a sterner test than that! Without the dehumidifier, the varnish would get damp and tacky and the cushions would get damp. With the dehumidifier on, everything was dry to the touch. there was plenty of permanent ventilation as well. I can report that the sea didn't dry up. So we have always used one in the van and as Landy Andy says they circulate the air and provide a certain amount of warmth. We also drain directly into the shower tray.

It that works for you then fine, though our experience from owning sailing yachts for over 35 yrs was to remove all soft furnishing, open all cupboards and all was fine over winter, we had a keel stepped mast so rain water would find it's way into the bilges, auto pumps dealt with that.
Simple physics tells us any warm air touching a cold surface equals condensation so the addition of any warmth will just make things worse.
A flow of fresh is the proven way to keep mould from forming.

 

[Alanben]

It that works for you then fine, though our experience from owning sailing yachts for over 35 yrs was to remove all soft furnishing, open all cupboards and all was fine over winter, we had a keel stepped mast so rain water would find it's way into the bilges, auto pumps dealt with that.
Simple physics tells us any warm air touching a cold surface equals condensation so the addition of any warmth will just make things worse.
A flow of fresh is the proven way to keep mould from forming.

Warm dry air won’t cause condensation! That’s the whole idea of a dehumidifier

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[68c]

.................If any open vents are only in the roof forget the "drying out the world" myth. Dry air is denser than moist air so the transfer of moisture from outside will be negligible...........

During my trade training the instructor discussed moist and dry air and its effects on engine performance. We all found it hard to believe dry air was more dense than wet, after all water is heavy! "Really, if damp air is so heavy, how come thise clouds up there are not on the ground, they are....floating....... on dense dry air."

He was a good instructor. The one thing he missed was to point out we only go to work to get money to take home to our families, we happen to be engineers so do it that way. If I had known that earlier it would have saved me all those gripes and moans. I now know if the boss asks me to paint the hanger doors green on Friday then repaint them blue on Monday, I do not argue, just ask for a new brush.

 

[robnchris]

Warm dry air won’t cause condensation! That’s the whole idea of a dehumidifier

Warm air touching a cold surface will most certainly cause condensation that's physics.

 

[Stealaway]

We left our narrow boat floating about on the cut for five months at a time during the winter months, with all it permanent roof vents open.
We never had an 'apeth of damp. Everything warmed up again as soon as the sun hit the roof in spring.

 

[funflair]

Warm dry air won’t cause condensation! That’s the whole idea of a dehumidifier

So then the dehumidifier won't work, its all relative to how much moisture the warm air is carrying and how cold the surfaces are, but it's a fact that warm air will hold more moisture than cold air, if the air and the surface are the same temperature there will be no condensation.
.
.

 

[Alanben]

Warm air touching a cold surface will most certainly cause condensation that's physics.

Hi sorry to disagree again
condensation can not occur If the air has a very low moisture content
Any way! Im happy to keep using it. The OP asked a question to which I answered given my experience.
You do it your way and I will do it mine then we are all happy!

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[Landy Andy]

Why is everyone talking about hot/warm air?
The question is about a dehumidifier. The air in side a motorhome is naturally going to be warmer than outside due to sun on the windows. No vent is going to overcome that. So I reduce the moisture in the air.

 

[tribalbrit]

Have used at work after floods etc. If not carefully they can cause laminated surfaces to delaminate and even cause plastered walls to become hollow, drawing the plaster off the wall behind. Use with caution.

 

[DerryW]

Well... I was going to ask the exact same question, "is there any benefit to putting dehumidifiers in the motorhome whilst its stood up over winter" but then thought to myself, before I start a new thread, lets put "Dehumidifier" in the search bar, and see what it brings up, and guess what, it brought up all of this.

However, after reading all the contributors opinions, experiences and advice, I feel like I'm no further forward. Do I just crack open the 3 roof vents for a few hours when the weather is dry, or scatter a few disposable dehumidifiers about the MH.

I used to put half a dozen disposable ones in the caravan when we had one, and did the same last winter with the MH, the only thing I found in the MH was I needed to replenish the pellets and empty the water collector every 2-3 weeks.

Is it just a case of personal preference, or (as 1 or 2 above have said) dehumidifiers can actually cause damage , if so would I be correct in thinking it's probably best not to take the chance with dehumidifiers and just to open the vents every now and then.

We empty and leave all cupboards open, and remove bedding, but not the cushions.

Who would think owning a MH would pose so many questions, or is it we've got nothing better to do than look for jobs and something to do.

 

[robnchris]

Warm dry air won’t cause condensation! That’s the whole idea of a dehumidifier

Warm air coming into contact with a colder surface WILL cause condensation which is the point I was making.
Come on let"s be sensible and do an experiment...
Breath onto a mirror or if you have a mirror in the bathroom run the washbasin hot water tap, have a shower..

That misted up mirror is condensation.

 

[TDub49]

Well... I was going to ask the exact same question, "is there any benefit to putting dehumidifiers in the motorhome whilst its stood up over winter" but then thought to myself, before I start a new thread, lets put "Dehumidifier" in the search bar, and see what it brings up, and guess what, it brought up all of this.

However, after reading all the contributors opinions, experiences and advice, I feel like I'm no further forward. Do I just crack open the 3 roof vents for a few hours when the weather is dry, or scatter a few disposable dehumidifiers about the MH.

I used to put half a dozen disposable ones in the caravan when we had one, and did the same last winter with the MH, the only thing I found in the MH was I needed to replenish the pellets and empty the water collector every 2-3 weeks.

Is it just a case of personal preference, or (as 1 or 2 above have said) dehumidifiers can actually cause damage , if so would I be correct in thinking it's probably best not to take the chance with dehumidifiers and just to open the vents every now and then.

We empty and leave all cupboards open, and remove bedding, but not the cushions.

Who would think owning a MH would pose so many questions, or is it we've got nothing better to do than look for jobs and something to do.

In a previous existence we owned a 28' sailing boat (basically a caravan that you don't need a ferry to get you across the channel). For years we used to load it up with those dehumidifiers that you have to keep emptying the water out of and keep filling with crystals - it took at least four dotted around strategically plus another two or three of those bags full of clay that you put in the oven once they get saturated to dry them out again. With all this in place we just about kept on top of the condensation problem, provided we stripped out the upholstery etc..

Then we acquired an electric dehumidifier and bingo - problem solved. Sat in the heads (that's the toilet to landlubbers) with its drain hose in the sink and utilising the "free" electricity so kindly provided by the marina (such generous souls , . . .) it did the trick and a whole level of admin faded away as we no longer had to keep fiddling with the 'disposable' ones and could leave the upholstery in situ. The dehumidifier we used on the boat now sits in the van (which is on the drive and hooked up to the mains) and I run it when the conditions require.

We open up everything we can to encourage max air circulation and leave the cushions onboard

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