Caravan dehumidifier
- Thread starter Morganic
- Start date
A dehumidifier in a caravan is a complete waste of time & money, all caravans have ventilation holes open to the atmosphere, therefore any air that is "dried" by a dehumidifier is immediately replaced by moist air from outside. This circuit continues ad infinitum. Just make sure the van is well aired before your first trip out.
Hi Morganic,
Don't know about the rechargable dehumidifier but I have used a small mains powered model in my van for the last six winters with a noticable difference.
The question of dehumidifiers has came up quite often on here, some are set against it saying "its no use and you are trying to dehumidify the world" or "it will dry out the interior wood of the caravan". Although those two points do seem to contradict one another.
I can only speak from my own experience of using one. I am fortunate enough to be able to store my van in my drive way so a power supply is no problem. For approx 14 years my van was stored without a dehumidifier in the winter but about six years ago I bought a small unit intended for use in a single room. Prior to using it I found that cupboard doors which were left open to allow circulation became so swollen with moisture that they would not close properly although when they dried out in the Spring they were fine. Where I live we are prone to heavy frost and I found that at these times the interior suraces, especially ceiling had a thin smear of moisture or condensation. That all stoppped when I used the dehumidifier. I am also unable to take the upholstery indooors due to lack of space, that also feels much drier.
Dehumidifiers have settings similar to a thermostat on a heater with which to regulate humidity. The one I use just now goes from 1 (dry) up to 10 (humid). I set it around 4 or 5 and let it run. I go out a couple of times a week to check it and empty if required. Often when I enter the van the machine is not running, even on a damp day, as the air inside has reached the set humidity,so it does not constantly run trying to dehumidify the world. if I leave the van door open for five minutes it would then start up.
From my own personal experience I would recommend using one, but each to their own although I wonder if those against them have actually tried one or are just convinced of their own arguements
Robert
Don't know about the rechargable dehumidifier but I have used a small mains powered model in my van for the last six winters with a noticable difference.
The question of dehumidifiers has came up quite often on here, some are set against it saying "its no use and you are trying to dehumidify the world" or "it will dry out the interior wood of the caravan". Although those two points do seem to contradict one another.
I can only speak from my own experience of using one. I am fortunate enough to be able to store my van in my drive way so a power supply is no problem. For approx 14 years my van was stored without a dehumidifier in the winter but about six years ago I bought a small unit intended for use in a single room. Prior to using it I found that cupboard doors which were left open to allow circulation became so swollen with moisture that they would not close properly although when they dried out in the Spring they were fine. Where I live we are prone to heavy frost and I found that at these times the interior suraces, especially ceiling had a thin smear of moisture or condensation. That all stoppped when I used the dehumidifier. I am also unable to take the upholstery indooors due to lack of space, that also feels much drier.
Dehumidifiers have settings similar to a thermostat on a heater with which to regulate humidity. The one I use just now goes from 1 (dry) up to 10 (humid). I set it around 4 or 5 and let it run. I go out a couple of times a week to check it and empty if required. Often when I enter the van the machine is not running, even on a damp day, as the air inside has reached the set humidity,so it does not constantly run trying to dehumidify the world. if I leave the van door open for five minutes it would then start up.
From my own personal experience I would recommend using one, but each to their own although I wonder if those against them have actually tried one or are just convinced of their own arguements
Robert
Yes I have tried a dehumidifier, I have one in the house. I am constantly telling the better half that it is pointless having it on if she is going to leave all the bl**dy windows open. I even demonstrated the fact by collecting the water when the windows are open and comparing it to when they are kept closed. (Nearly twice the amount.)Just like talking to a brick wall and she calls herself a conservationist. Sometime I could scream.
)Yes, I tried one but as the van is in a storage park it was one of the rechargeqable types that changes colour. It changed clour after about 2 days mainly because the Firth of Forth had a good damp fog going, so i ditched it and did not really notice any difference. As mentioned there are so many holes in the floor that air is always circulating. I suspect as long as you remove all fabrics then things will be fine. If wood is swelling then I suspect there is a problem with the veneer. After all vans are designed for the wet wet Britain as well as the hot hot Med.
I rate a dehumidifier my top accessory for winter storage.Contrary to Steve W's statement,a caravan is a closed environment with limited ventilation to the outside.I have a mains operated dehumidifier.When I go into the caravan I run my hand over the work surface and I can feel damp when my humidity meter says 95%-100% humidity.With my dehumidifier 4-6 hours use will collect a bucket of water and reduce humidity to 60% (normal).At these levels upholstery and work surfaces feel dry.I have used this routine over the last four years,I never remove the upholstery and the caravan has never smelt damp or musty.I do not have delaminating work tops or veneers and will achieve top trade in value when I eventually change.
I generally use my dehumidifier every day it rains,during the middle part of the day.
I generally use my dehumidifier every day it rains,during the middle part of the day.
I'm with Frank, I block all the ventilation holes up and run a dehumidifier from November to March, I have adapted the dehumidifier so everything runs straight down the plug hole of the sink. I also have the caravan heater set on very low (basically the heater switches on when the temp drops below zero outside) I lift all the cushions and bedding and open the cupboards.
The caravan has never suffered any damp problems, does not need 'airing' in the spring even the quilts and kids sleeping bags dont require airing.
The caravan has never suffered any damp problems, does not need 'airing' in the spring even the quilts and kids sleeping bags dont require airing.
Ahoy!
Blocking up your ventilation holes is NOT a good idea.
You need a circulation of air in any space. No circulation will lend itself to mould and mildew.
Keep SOME of the vents open at least.
Mac
Blocking up your ventilation holes is NOT a good idea.
You need a circulation of air in any space. No circulation will lend itself to mould and mildew.
Keep SOME of the vents open at least.
Mac
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