Tips for preventing condensation in a motorhome.

[Gavin and Bigi]

This morning my campervan had loads of condensation in the windows. I'm sure there must be loads of ways of managing this. I don't store it with hook up so I can't run a dehumidifier. What else can I do?

 

[Lenny HB]

IMO the ventilation is not circulating therefore the damp can settle in pockets not reached by the direct vent, just saying.

That would depend on the construction of the van, in ours all the lockers are spaced off the wall, there are vents to allow air circulation between the hab area and the double floor & garage so not a problem.

 

[Dougall]

This morning my campervan had loads of condensation in the windows. I'm sure there must be loads of ways of managing this. I don't store it with hook up so I can't run a dehumidifier. What else can I do?

i use the crystal water absorber bags get them on amazon

 

[DrDeath]

£34.99 in Lidls from Sunday 19th November.

Bought our beldray version from Robert Dyas for £19.99, curved windscreeen presents a minor challenge but effective reliable device. Excellent battery life in the cupboard. Seems much better value than karcher

 

[Crazy Grandad]

This morning my campervan had loads of condensation in the windows. I'm sure there must be loads of ways of managing this. I don't store it with hook up so I can't run a dehumidifier. What else can I do?

Hi Gavin,
We use dishwasher salt in Tupperware containers, we use about 5 to take out the condensation out of our MoHo it works really well. When they get water in the bottom and the salt gets moist in the containers we tip the salt out into an oven dish put them in the oven when cooking to dry out then reuse. We have done this for 4 years with no problems. Put new salt in this winter, a cheap way of keeping the MoHo dry. I hope that helps. regards,
Crazygran dad.

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[Machbuster]

Interesting to see how many ideas there are. I have an extractor fan in the ceiling, which is on every morning, when I use the van. Even with natural ventilation this helps a lot. Also dehumidifiers are a great help. You can buy small ones from Robert Days. When not using the van make sure it is emptied for anything that can attract humidity, such as clothes.

 

[beesa650]

This morning my campervan had loads of condensation in the windows. I'm sure there must be loads of ways of managing this. I don't store it with hook up so I can't run a dehumidifier. What else can I do?

Kitty litter granules in old socks…. Works for me!

 

[Richard n Ann]

I recently bought a small compressor dehumidifier for the shed, it's compact and is only about 100w


It really works keeping the condensation off the bikes, you can see it switching on and off on the graph..



I've sealed the shed up as much as possible, as I don't want to dehumidify Derbyshire with the van it will only lower the humidity to the same level as outside unless you can close all the vents and gas drop outs

 

[bigtwin]

The opposite doesn't seem to reliably happen as evidenced by condensation which stays on the inside of windscreens even as things dry out outside?

For condensation to occur you need two things:

1. moisture in the air
2. a cold surface onto which the moisture can condense

The only way that you’d get condensation on the outside of the window would be if you were able to refrigerate the interior of the MH to such an extent that the windscreen ended up cooler than the external ambient air temperature.

This is what’s happening when you get condensation on the outside of (around the door seals typically) a fridge/freezer.

Ian

 

[Smudger55]

There is absolutely no point in putting dehumidifiers, salt, or rice in a Motorhome or caravan.
Motorhomes & caravans have perminant ventilation, what's the point of trying to dry out the atmosphere.

This is why MHome fun, is so fun. Every Everyone offers all their advice and your left pulling your hair out wondering which way to go.

I have up until now, when parked up at home, never used anything, 4 yrs and Hab checks been good. Management keeps advising me to put heating on because MHomes cold but I think that's OK.

Did worry the other day bit of condensation on a mirror so I've opened up for a bit of ventilation. The atmosphere has been extremely damp just lately.

I tend to leave thermostat on 10 degrees just in case and would have difficulty in persuading management to go any lower.

Do you leave your thermostat at a low temperature Lenny HB just in case?

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[Petroleumblownapart]

This morning my campervan had loads of condensation in the windows. I'm sure there must be loads of ways of managing this. I don't store it with hook up so I can't run a dehumidifier. What else can I do?

Heat and ventilation.... Just that or stop breathing in your sleep!

 

[Coolcats]

There is absolutely no point in putting dehumidifiers, salt, or rice in a Motorhome or caravan.
Motorhomes & caravans have perminant ventilation, what's the point of trying to dry out the atmosphere.

Oh come on where is the fun in that........many of us also like to boil the ocean

 

[mitzimad]

It doesnt say on your profile which van you have are the windows single or double glazed?

 

[Burgo]

I seem to remember someone on this forum a few years ago posting a cry for help along the lines of "I'm at my wits end with condensation in my motorhome this winter. If anyone's nearby who has as any ideas to help please feel free to come over, the kettles always on".

 

[Gyro]

For condensation to occur you need two things:

1. moisture in the air
2. a cold surface onto which the moisture can condense

The only way that you’d get condensation on the outside of the window would be if you were able to refrigerate the interior of the MH to such an extent that the windscreen ended up cooler than the external ambient air temperature.

This is what’s happening when you get condensation on the outside of (around the door seals typically) a fridge/freezer.

Ian

Why then condensation on the outside of our double glazing when toasty inside? (Rhetorical)

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[wp1234]

Karcher vac and outside silver screens….sorted

 

[Outdoors Dad]

If you get condensation, you get condensation so you have to try combat it. If somebody shares they experience of not having condensation but believes it doesn't exist in everyone else's van, well ignore and deal with your own real condensation. Condensation is real and if it doesn't happen in your van well goody you, but don't preach it doesn't happen in other people's van.

 

[bigtwin]

Why then condensation on the outside of our double glazing when toasty inside? (Rhetorical)

Because you’re too tight to put your central heating on.

Ian

 

[The Wino]

I recently bought a small compressor dehumidifier for the shed, it's compact and is only about 100w
View attachment 837860

It really works keeping the condensation off the bikes, you can see it switching on and off on the graph..

View attachment 837861

I've sealed the shed up as much as possible, as I don't want to dehumidify Derbyshire with the van it will only lower the humidity to the same level as outside unless you can close all the vents and gas drop outs

Looks to me like it's reducing the humidity from 62 to 58% but as soon as it's off the humidity rises again. I'm not sure if that's a big enough effect to actually acheive much.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Looks to me like it's reducing the humidity from 62 to 58% but as soon as it's off the humidity rises again. I'm not sure if that's a big enough effect to actually acheive much.

Yeah, actually I should have said that graph is from a little Bluetooth gadget in the shed that is probably not very accurate but shows the up down trend. The dehumidifier's tank does need emptying about every week though so it works.

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[Petroleumblownapart]

It doesnt say on your profile which van you have are the windows single or double glazed?

Irrelevant to OP as the ONLY cure is heat and fresh air..... Unless you really don't breath in your sleep!

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Perhaps a dealer might be able to advise as to how they winterise the fleets of vans on their forecourts?
I'd be doubtful if it involved anything other than perhaps opening a door on a dry sunny day, and even that's unlikely.
Mike.

 

[The Wino]

Yeah, actually I should have said that graph is from a little Bluetooth gadget in the shed that is probably not very accurate but shows the up down trend. The dehumidifier's tank does need emptying about every week though so it works.

But does it? It works in getting moisture out of the air in the shed but is there a reduction in the moisture enough to reduce any effect and is the moisture just being replaced constantly from equalising with the atmosphere outside the shed.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

But does it? It works in getting moisture out of the air in the shed but is there a reduction in the moisture enough to reduce any effect and is the moisture just being replaced constantly from equalising with the atmosphere outside the shed.

If it's any help, it's dry today here in Surrey.
Mike.

 

[Richard n Ann]

But does it? It works in getting moisture out of the air in the shed but is there a reduction in the moisture enough to reduce any effect and is the moisture just being replaced constantly from equalising with the atmosphere outside the shed.

As I said, I've sealed the shed up as much as possible, it's not air tight of course but the new air entering is kept to a minimum. The dehumidifier is 100w so 10 times more economical than a heater.

When I go in I feel the engine sump for moisture and it's always dry now, the engine sump is the second coldest peace after the dehumidifier's evaporator

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[Trevor Wbm]

I leave the roof vent in the shower area open and prop the door open. (Any rain that bounces in drops into the shower tray). That, plus the front heater and 'fridge vents keep the air moving enough to keep the inside /outside temperatures the same, so no condensation. If you've been working inside with a heater on, open all the doors and let the heat out before you close up.

 

[Petroleumblownapart]

Perhaps a dealer might be able to advise as to how they winterise the fleets of vans on their forecourts?
I'd be doubtful if it involved anything other than perhaps opening a door on a dry sunny day, and even that's unlikely.
Mike.

Which, as long as no one is breathing and there are no water leaks is not a problem.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Which, as long as no one is breathing and there are no water leaks is not a problem.

Are we discussing the same topic? An occupied motorhome will almost certainly need proactive measures, but an unoccupied motorhome shouldn't need any special measures, the essential requirements have been built in at the construction phase, roof vents, spaces behind cupboards, et al.
Mike.

 

[Ducatian]

We've used the Karcher Vac since day one, however since fitting the expernal reflective Windscrren/Side side window cover, the problem as all but gone away. Keeps the ice off too

 

[Petroleumblownapart]

Are we discussing the same topic? An occupied motorhome will almost certainly need proactive measures, but an unoccupied motorhome shouldn't need any special measures, the essential requirements have been built in at the construction phase, roof vents, spaces behind cupboards, et al.
Mike.

Yes

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[The Wino]

Are we discussing the same topic? An occupied motorhome will almost certainly need proactive measures, but an unoccupied motorhome shouldn't need any special measures, the essential requirements have been built in at the construction phase, roof vents, spaces behind cupboards, et al.
Mike.

You would hope so. Certainly a good idea to remove cushions etc.