• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

de-humidifiers

M

mark_374224456

I have recently acquired a de-humidifier and i have just taken 2 bottles of water from teh 'van. I plan to try and keep the dreaded dampness away from our Adria

Now my question is do i keep it runing all wiinter, or periodically run it.?? Or now that i have done it the once will thsi suffice?

Any help is greatly appeciated

Mark
 
Hi Mark, I would keep it running, we have a mini one in the van, and a larger one for the home, if it possible for you to keep it running and empty it when full. You should have no problem with dampness. Remember to keep all windows closed and skylight closed. Do you still take furnishings away from walls so the air can circulate? I tell you what they were the best things I ever spent my money on. I live in Cornwall very damp area. Liz
 
Hi Mark, I personally would keep it running, obviously you are able to empty it when full. We have a mini one for the van, and a larger one for the home. You will find you will get no mould on furnishings, remember to close all windows and skylight. We live in a very damp area, Do you keep all your funishings away from the walls so the air can circulate? Liz
 
Hi Mark, I personally would keep it running, they have a cut out switch on them when full, so obviously you are in a position where you can empty it and keep it running. We have a mini one for the van, a larger one for home. Really do their job no mould on furnishings. Do you take furnishings away from walls so air can circulate? Also don't forget to close all windows and skylight. Well worth the money. Liz
 
Hi,

a neighbour of mine hasa de-humidifier in his van all winter and it hasa drain outlet thet runs into the sink. He just lets the water drain out as the machine cycles. This way he can be away for some weeks and does not need to keep emptying the machine. I have a domestic EBAC that hasa drain pipe outlet so it might be worth looking around otherwise you could be emptying every two days.
 
Hello Mark,

This issue has been debated at some length on this forum in the past. The consensus is that to run a dehumidifier in a caravan is not likely to prevent damp - the reason is that caravans by law have a certain amount of fixed (permanantly open) ventilation.

Any air that you do dehumidify will quickly be replaced with fresh outside air, which will be loaded with moisture, so its rather like trying to dry out the United Kingdom.

I cannot reccomend that you attempt to block the ventilation, as this will potentially make the caravan dangerous to use, just in case you forget to unblock it.
 
Hello John L, Just wondering if you have ever used a dehumidifier? Of course you should never tape or block vents, they are their for a reason. Sorry, Mark and myself probably did not know this subject had been brought up before, I cannot speak for Mark but I am a newcomer. I am only saying the dehumidifier works for us. I highly recommend them. Liz
 
Hello John L, Just wondering if you have ever used a dehumidifier? Of course you should never tape or block vents, they are their for a reason. Sorry, Mark and myself probably did not know this subject had been brought up before, I cannot speak for Mark but I am a newcomer. I am only saying the dehumidifier works for us. I highly recommend them. Liz
Click to expand...
Hello Liz,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes I have used dehumidifiers, but because of the reason I pointed out not in a caravan.

What I have done is extensive work on environmental control in caravans, and consequently I understand the futility of dehumidifiers in the caravan.

I have no doubt that the unit you use will of course collect water, but the water collected will be very rapdily be replaced by moisture laden air from outside.

I do agree with you that keeping items away from walls so air can circulate is good.

Obviously it is your own personal choice if you wish to run a dehumidifier in your caravan, but I am convinced by the evidence I have seen that it is fundamentally a waste of energy.
 
Hello Liz,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes I have used dehumidifiers, but because of the reason I pointed out not in a caravan.

What I have done is extensive work on environmental control in caravans, and consequently I understand the futility of dehumidifiers in the caravan.

I have no doubt that the unit you use will of course collect water, but the water collected will be very rapdily be replaced by moisture laden air from outside.

I do agree with you that keeping items away from walls so air can circulate is good.

Obviously it is your own personal choice if you wish to run a dehumidifier in your caravan, but I am convinced by the evidence I have seen that it is fundamentally a waste of energy.
Click to expand...
Hello John L, Thankyou for your reply, yes I agree its upto the individual, I have used dehumidifiers for several years now, we had a static caravan for 3 years used to get damp and mould used to appear, then I bought a dehumidifier it cured the damp and mould. Most people I know use crystals in their vans or nothing at all. More people would use one, but with vans in storage they cannot empty them. Anyway it works for me. Liz
 
Like Liz, We live in Cornwall. I used a De humidifier all last winter and suffered no mould, smaells or dampness whatsever. I realise that it draws air in from the outside but it certainly helped our van.
 
Have used a de-humidifier for several years, works a treat with all the vents sealed and everything spaced out to let air circulate. A lot more effective than crystals and lasts for years.
 
Hi All

Here's my four pennies-worth,

If I had a van that had a damp problem I would use a dehumidifier sparingly to just dry the inside enough to stop the damp forming mould or water on the inside.

A van that is well sealed should not require dehumidifying. As said previously vans are naturally vented and this should be enough to keep it aired. Running a dehumidifier with the vents unblocked will remove moisture but that moisture is constantly being reintroduced through the vents. By blocking the vents and then using a dehumidifier I would image that once the air has been dried then moisture ,that is naturally present in all things, will start to be removed, this could lead to panels and woodwork warping causing cracks in the joints of differently expanding or contracting panels. So in effect there is a chance that using a dehumidifier when not necessary or in the wrong manner could create a problem when one does not exist!

In any event cold air is low in moisture whereas warm air is high in moisture in temperate zones such as the UK so if anything in a well sealed van it may even be necessary to humidify in winter rather than dehumidify.
 
Hi Martyn, I have noted all you say about dehumidifers, I would just like to say, my van has not got a damp problem, my mini dehumidifer helps prevent mould on my furnishings and curtains. I have seem a lot of brand new vans come out of storage from the winter, some have used crystals, some nothing at all, obviously unable to use a dehumidifer whilst in storage, and the mould on furnishings is unbelievable When I use my dehumidifer I never block any vents, but I am quite lucky because I am in a position where I can check my van on a regular basis. I certainly would not say dehumidifers do any harm what so ever.

I said earlier in one of my previous messages that we had a static van for about 3 years, I always used a dehumidifer in van during the winter, also I use one in my home which is a lot more powerful. Anyway it's personal choice. Regards Liz
 
Hi Liz - thanks for yopuir replies, very useful to know.......

and yes I am new also
Click to expand...
Hi Mark, your are welcome to my comments, whether you decide to use your dehumidifer is your choice. I can only say it works for me. Liz
 
Vans don't get a problem with damp because of humidity in the air, they get it because they have a water leak somewhere at joints or seams. A well-sealed caravan will not need a dehumidifier during storage.

Conversely, a dehumidifier running constantly will never prevent damp if there is already a weak link elsewehere.

Therefore, if you feel the need for one, it only makes sense to switch it on a day or two before using the caravan after a long period of storage, just to make the inside a bit more comfortable and the beds less clammy.
 
Hi,

in a simarl vien to thos ewho decry 4x4 users, how green is it to try and dry out the whole of UK. It must be on a par with patio heaters!
 
Hi Lutz, Can I ask what van you have, and have you ever used a dehumidifier? My dehumidifier I use for my van is table top size, suitable for a small area, I do not collect a lot of water, but it keeps my van from mould on furnishings and curtains. Liz
 
Hi Lutz, Can I ask what van you have, and have you ever used a dehumidifier? My dehumidifier I use for my van is table top size, suitable for a small area, I do not collect a lot of water, but it keeps my van from mould on furnishings and curtains. Liz
 
As stated previously, I seal my van as far is practicable and leave the dehumidifier in, albeit on a low setting.

I also leave in my clothes, towels, bedding and all other essentials with the exception of perishable foodstuffs.

It`s not a question of the van being damp - it isn`t - it`s a question of convenience and because I can. If you were to leave such items in a garage, shed, greenhouse whatever they would attract mould even if the buildings didn`t leak.

I`ve yet to hear of a dehumidifier damaging a van, but it`s a matter of personal choice as whether one should be used.

The argument that we are `trying to dry out the U.K` or trying to mask other problems is frankly shoemakers.
 
A dehumifier won't damage a caravan but frankly I think it's rather pointless to use one over a long period but then I wouldn't leave clothes, towels, bedding in the caravan either. Normal humidity in the air won't cause mould, especially in winter where relative humidity is lower. You need a concentration of high absolute damp to create a breeding ground for mould to grow.
 
Hi Lutz,

I am in total agreement with Angus, I would not hestitate in leaving clothes, bedding etc in my van with a dehumidifier going. Have you ever tried a dehumidifier in your van? Angus says he only leaves his on low, mine is a mini dehumidifier to keep the area of my van dry. Not that I have a damp problem, or probably Angus. Liz
 
I have had 3 new vans and 2 older ones before that. I have never used a de humidifier on any of them and so far have not suffered from damp. I do lift seat cushons and bed when the van is not in use however we use our van all winter. As lutz states damp will only be a problem if there is a leak present and any action other than sealing the leak will be frutless.

If using a de humidifier makes you feel happy great, pesonally I think it is a waste of energy.
 
Hi All again

Further to my post above, I have a six year old Lunar and I have just put it into hibernation for the winter and it will not be used again until next spring. Other than occasionally opening the door for a couple of hours once a month it will sit on my drive untouched. Hopefully, as in past years, come spring when we use it for the first time, it will be mould free, dry and ready to use.

The same applies to my classic car that will in fact sit in my garage for longer, a well sealed but aired garage, it to will be ready for the warm weather without se-coming to mould or damp.

As I said previously, and the leaned Lutz confirmed, in winter humidity is very low and for mould spores to grow damp conditions are required. Therefore a mouldy damp van would be indicative of a water ingress problem.

If the use of a de-humidifier solves the problem without the expense of repairs then using one would make sense but it should not be necessary. Kevin H probably sums it up quite well in his last sentence.

Regards

Martyn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Back
Top