Dehumidifiers?

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Am tn
Hi , am thinking of getting one of these for the MoHo.
Van currently on hookup and at home storage.
Don’t want a massive unit. Anyone got any experience of such kit and model recommendations?
Thanks.
PS van currently in good nick and want to keep it that way.

 

[Boringfrog]

Unnecessary IMHO.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Unnecessary IMHO.

Maybe....... but have read some owners do use them so was curious.
Thanks for reply and opinion though

 

[John Barrett]

Unnecessary IMHO.

Agreed.Boats yes, MH no. Leave two small gaps in the window s or partly open a roof vent.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Agreed.Boats yes, MH no. Leave two small gaps in the windows.

How John? Do you mean slightly opening side windows whilst not using?
I am only considering the dehumidifier whilst the van it not in use.
When we use the van we do practice good air circulation and ventilation.
Thanks for the comment.

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[Boringfrog]

Even when all windows are shut your van isn't a sealed unit, trying to reduce the humidity inside by collecting moisture will be endless because the air outside simply replaces it.

 

[DBK]

You can buy things like this:

Amazon product ASIN B077QDTJFS
Link Removed

Put one in the MH, high up not on the floor, and see if you have a damp problem. It will get heavier if it is absorbing moisture. If it does you can then start investigating where the damp is coming from.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

You can buy things like this:

Amazon product ASIN B077QDTJFS
Link Removed

Put one in the MH, high up not on the floor, and see if you have a damp problem. It will get heavier if it is absorbing moisture. If it does you can then start investigating where the damp is coming from.

Thanks DBK and Boringfrog

 

[Lenny HB]

Waste of time a Motorhome has permanent ventilation all you will be doing is trying to dry out the atmosphere.

 

[Otter Spotter]

By these they are good for your van, they remove moister, smells etc and last for a couple of years as long as you stick them in the sun for a hour every couple of months. Don't need power and take no room upyhttps://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_mtf_kitchen_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A022889416L4MR98NRDB8&url=%2FDussal-Dehumidifier-Activated-Freshener-Deodorizer%2Fdp%2FB07RGF1JW7%2Fref%3Dsr_1_3_sspa%3Fdchild%3D1%26keywords%3Damazoncouk%2Bbamboo%2Bcharcoal%2Bbags%26qid%3D1590479981%26s%3Dkitchen%26sr%3D1-3-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1590479981&id=3254886452841128&widgetName=sp_mtf

Dead cheap and better than silica gel IMHO

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Waste of time a Motorhome has permanent ventilation all you will be doing is trying to dry out the atmosphere.

Thanks guys for the replies. Am enjoying learning and considering varying and differing options and opinions.

 

[icantremember]

I'm afraid I disagree with those that say dehumidifiers don't work in a motorhome.

I have a couple of decent domestic dehumidifiers which I have used to very good effect which is proven as I also put a humidity meter in the moho.

The only problem is that the machines only work at temperatures above about 6° C so will require heating in colder weather.

Having said that I normally find it not necessary as long as there is some ventilation which most motorhomes have by design..

 

[Minxy]

By these they are good for your van, they remove moister, smells etc and last for a couple of years as long as you stick them in the sun for a hour every couple of months. Don't need power and take no room upyhttps://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_mtf_kitchen_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A022889416L4MR98NRDB8&url=%2FDussal-Dehumidifier-Activated-Freshener-Deodorizer%2Fdp%2FB07RGF1JW7%2Fref%3Dsr_1_3_sspa%3Fdchild%3D1%26keywords%3Damazoncouk%2Bbamboo%2Bcharcoal%2Bbags%26qid%3D1590479981%26s%3Dkitchen%26sr%3D1-3-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1590479981&id=3254886452841128&widgetName=sp_mtf

Dead cheap and better than silica gel IMHO

Correct link (if you can't see it turn off your adblocker):

Amazon product ASIN

 

[sallylillian]

I run a dehumidifier at 50% humidity all winter when in storage. Up the bedding end. The issue is the emptying, you could run a hose down an internal drain and then you have a grey waste tank to deal with or every 4 days or so empty the built in drain tank.
I run one because I can not because I believe its essential, and also because at 50% humidity it wont be doing any harm.

 

[Minxy]

You will always have some humidity in a MH and unless you have damp a dehumidifier won't really help, all that happens is it takes in the humid air and it is immediately replaced by other humid air through all the vents etc which are not sealed (eg drop vents). In fact, the action of a working dehumidifier could mean that colder/damper air is drawn in.

We've never used one in all the years we've had motorhomes/campers and never needed one. The best thing is to every now and then go and open the windows/roof vent and let the van 'breath' for a while. If you are concerned you could remove the soft furnishings or just prop them up, open cupboards etc to allow the air to circulate and not get cold patches.

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[Hollyberry]

I have a mini dehumidifier, similar to this one https://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjTvraHk9HpAhUP7e0KHTCUAAoYABApGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_1NDOPdEcarNf3fe0NzHgjGEgOr9g&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjjmLCHk9HpAhVZhlwKHcdGD1sQww96BQgNEMkB&adurl=
Only been used for about 3 weeks. In original box with instructions. £15 plus Hermes ?

 

[Garratt]

I use a desiccant type dehumidifier when we go away in wet weather. It is ideal for drying everything off such as wet towels, outdoor clothing, footwear etc, and makes a big difference when we shower on the van too. I had it when I had the yacht, and am glad that I kept it. Our van is kept in storage without hookup during the winter and therefore I can't run it, but if I could, I might be tempted as it made a huge difference on the boat.

 

[Zains Pops]

You’ll be trying to dehumidify Nottinghamshire. As soon as you reduce the water content of the air in your MH, new moisture will enter through the Van’s in built ventilation.
yes the machine will collect water in it’s tank, but the moisture Content of the air in your van is determined by the ambient temperature and humidity in your area on any particular day.

 

[DBK]

Thanks guys for the replies. Am enjoying learning and considering varying and differing options and opinions.

I can understand why it is all a bit confusing. I can only give you the results of my experience which I can support with a bit of the physics. We have Seitz blinds in the cab and I was getting condensation on the inside of the windscreen with the blinds closed even with all the air vents closed off. I bought a couple of silica gel packs and put those in the van but they didn't attract much moisture, probably a few grams only. I sorted the condensation problem out by pulling the blind down a few inches. I left the packs in for several weeks but they gathered very little moisture even though the roof light in the bathroom has a permanent vent to the atmosphere and the bathroom door was open.

So why didn't the packs dry the air of Devon? Here's the physics - dry air is denser than moist air. This might be counter-intuitive but its all down to atomic weights and what the air consists of. The atomic weight of a water molecule, H2O is 18 (16 + 1 + 1) but the atmosphere consists mostly of nitrogen and though the atomic weight of a nitrogen atom is only 14 the atmosphere consists of diatomic nitrogen - N2 and those molecules have a weight of 28. The same applies to oxygen, the molecular weight of O2 is 32. Carbon dioxide which forms a small part of the atmosphere has a molecular weight of 44. So the main constituents of the atmosphere are all heavier than water molecules.

So because the vent in our van is in the roof the dehumidifier drys the air inside the vehicle and the dry air stays there. Water vapour doesn't enter through the roof vent because it won't naturally sink, it will disperse upwards to join the clouds.

 

[busby]

I have got one for sale,,,PREM-I-AIR,,20 quid,collected,,Not used it much..BUSBY.

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[dunnah01]

I've tried various dehumidifiers but the only ones that really do anything noticeable are the rotary desicant type. They can be had for around £30 off the bay of e.

 

[The Old Man]

In the instruction booklet for my mum's static it suggests to leave a bucket with a couple of inches of loose cooking salt in it, one in each room.

The salt sucks up the moisture.

On dry sunny days, place the buckets outside, in the sun, the water content will evaporate and the salt is ready for a second round.

Cheap, effective and minimal running costs.

 

[Minxy]

In the instruction booklet for my mum's static it suggests to leave a bucket with a couple of inches of loose cooking salt in it, one in each room.

The salt sucks up the moisture.

On dry sunny days, place the buckets outside, in the sun, the water content will evaporate and the salt is ready for a second round.

Cheap, effective and minimal running costs.

Some people use cat litter I believe.

 

[robnchris]

Our winterising is kept simple, empty the motorhome of all clothes and soft furnishings, all food out, totally clean interior then leave all cupboard and locker doors open, toilet seat up, all taps left open and external drains.
Remis blinds closed.

As previously mentioned a dehumidifier is useless all it will do is suck moisture first from the interior of the motorhome and then make a start on the surrounding countryside.
Even more useless in a boat, considering the environment a boat lives in.

 

[TheBig1]

I have seen a lot of people worry when they put a dehumidifier in a motorhome or caravan that then produces what they think is a lot of water. As above you are drying the air in the van, which is immediately replaced with damp air from the outside

To dry a damp motorhome with a dehumidifier, you need to also heat it and restrict ambient air from entering at the same time. It takes a long time to do as well

Just ambient air, plus condensation from everyone in the van, and animals too produces a great deal of moisture. Look at the water streaming down the windscreen in the morning if you dont use insulated screens. The moisture naturally condenses at any cold spot and needs to be cleared away

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[busby]

I run a dehumidifier at 50% humidity all winter when in storage. Up the bedding end. The issue is the emptying, you could run a hose down an internal drain and then you have a grey waste tank to deal with or every 4 days or so empty the built in drain tank.
I run one because I can not because I believe its essential, and also because at 50% humidity it wont be doing any harm.

You will always be empying it,,not because your van is damp but because the air is..All you are doing is pulling more damp air into the van.Utter waste of time.BUSBY.

 

[sallylillian]

You will always be empying it,,not because your van is damp but because the air is..All you are doing is pulling more damp air into the van.Utter waste of time.BUSBY.

As you have no idea of my storage arrangements an utterly arrogant comment.

 

[2657]

Wonder why they make dehumidifiers?

 

[Lenny HB]

Some people use cat litter I believe.

I prefer to use the toilet.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Wonder why they make dehumidifiers?

They help in Flooding

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