2008 Swift Charisma 610

[redhousehippo]

We've just traded in our 2000 Abbey Spectrum for a 2008 Swift Charisma 2008 and after our first weekend away have had nothing but problems including oven and hob not working properly, noisy water pump, heating not working. Worse thing was damp/wet in the cupboards/wardrobe at rear of caravan next to fixed bed. Been told there is no damp issue but it is condensation - towels stored in the wardrobe were wet! Has anyone else experienced condensation problems with rear fixed bed caravans and notably any of the Swift variants? Thanks!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Redhouse,
The difficulty you describe does seem to be quite excessive, and suggest that it may be more than just condensation, but it is of course very difficult to be absolutely accurate over a forum like this.

Warm air can carry more water than the same amount of cold air. Condensation occurs when warm damp air comes into contact with a cold surface. The temperature change cause the air to dump its water, which appears as condensation. An adult at rest typically exhales about 100gms of water a day, and the best solution to control condensation in a caravan is usually to make sure it is properly ventilated.

You should try ventilating the caravan for a day or two to discount condensation, and then if you still have damp areas then re-approach your dealer about the problem

 

[ChristineandAlan]

Hi redhouse,
we have a 2009 Abbey 620 gts,my wife tells me in the winter we do get condensation over the wheel arch in the wardrobe its not a problem ,because she checks it.we use a demidefier in winter because you do get a lot of condensation in the vans especially if its in storage like ours. if i was you i would mix salt with cats litter put in containers put one in bathroom,bedroom,l/room to absorb the moisture. then check if the cloths are damp.hope this helps you a bit.
All The Best Alan P/T

Kia Sorento 2008 Outfit Abbey 620 Gts

 

[Philspadders]

dont use salt to "dry" the air as salt absorbs water it cool and causes more condensation on the outide of the container. In days of youir before regrigeration ice wqs often made inthios way, by packing salt around a tube of water in a cold cellar , , you could ice crystals forming on the insiode of te tube eventually freezing all the water.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As previously explained, a caravan in use will find the humidity in the internal air will be slightly higher than the external ambient due to people breathing, and the use of any open flame such as the gas cooker and oven inside the caravan. The fridge, space and water heaters and may use gas but are room sealed and thus do not contribute to the moisture content inside the caravan.
It is generally accepted that the long-term use of dehumidifiers with a caravan in storage has no beneficial advantage, and simply costs money. Any effect a dehumidifier has, is quickly undone by the air exchange through the caravan's ventilators. So whilst a dehumidifier may collect water, it is simply and quickly replaced with fresh moist air from outside. - in effect you are dehumidifying the county!
The use of a dehumidifier for a few hours following the caravans last usage may help to prevent the onset of mildew, but as soon as the caravans moisture level fall to that of the ambient, no further benefit will be gained.