Hello All, We, Christi & I have Condensation. There I said it! It pops up from time to time on the windows and at times it rains down from the air conditioner on those muggy days. Thats Condensation X 2! How do you deal with it? Thanks, M&C ;D
If it hangs on the windows it's just condensation but if it drips from the a/c unit, at that point it becomes condesending lol, sorry, was wayyyyyyyy to good to pass up lol. I'll be quiet now lol.
;D Thanks Cody ;D
What kind of weather are you in? can you run the AC? Add ventilation somehow?
Brian
Singing L. C.
We had to spend two winters in northern PA when we were full time.
We had lots of condensation to deal with.
Just breathing , showers , and cooking all added to the problem.
I went to our storage unit and dug out the old dehumidifier.
PROBLEM GONE.
Hope this helps you.
Frank
Dehumidifier is the most efficient while having to heat the coach, in that the electricity that runs it adds to the heating of the coach.
Another way is to get more air exchange with cooler, drier, outside air, which needs to be heated, raising those costs. An exhaust fan/open window/open roof vent combination will do the trick.
On a clammy, cooler, wet day, the humidity outside is much the same as inside, so exchanging air won't help, I've found running both a heating source and an air conditioner will dry you out, but again, there are costs. One roof air on the heat strip, the other on the AC, blowing at one another across the ceiling. The AC is set to the temp you want, the heat is set just above that, so both will run all the time. a bit of experimenting with settings, aiming for the lowest of both, so there is some cycling once you are dried out.
In all cases of using refrigerated coils to remove moisture, there has to be enough heat in the air to keep it from freezing up, and/or to fool the limiting controls into letting it run.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Not a bussie (yet :)) But, as a long-time motorhomer: You have 2 related problems. Easiest first: window condensation. Warm air inside has high moisture content from high relative humidity, intensified by showering, cooking, and furnace. Warm air meets cold windows (non dual pane) and air cools against glass, releasing moisture. Solution: dual panes, (costly) and reducing humidity of air in coach. Which brings us to part 2, the A/C drips. An air conditioner as part of its cooling function, removes moisture from the air, and SHOULD deposit it outside (usually on the roof). I fear that your condensation is dripping back into your coach because of a blocked drain or leaking seal between the A/C unit and the roof. Get on that right away. From your blog I know you realize the potential damage that could cause. The use of a portable dehumidifier should help. If you're parked with electric the cost of operation would not be an issue, unless you're on separate metering. What previous poster meant by running heat strip and A/C was to use the A/C as a dehumidifier while using the heater to maintain a comfort level. Many new cars use the same technique to defog windows: the A/C comes on with the heater for a short period to get rid of the moisture.
Jim Corey
Class A Southwind
Looking...looking...looking
Concur with Handyjim about clogged condensate drain. If so, that should be easy to fix.
It's weather related I'm sure. Get a dehumidifier and you'll take care of the issue. We have minor issues and it has to do with cold outside air causing condensation on the inside frames, meeting the warm air. It's part of the fun of living in your coach full time! ;D
Paul
somewhere you missed the point of a bus conversion. As the famous (infamous?) Jack Conrad said to me about heaters "The best heater is a compass. Point it South and put it in drive." ;D ;D if i can find a hot area, lately further south than Arcadia, :( :( then i don't get condensation on my windows :). On days that it's around 50 or lower, i do, on the metal window inside frame, and interestingly, usually only in the bedroom area windows. front windows are same, but not much or any condensation.
The A/C units have never leaked or condescended (thanks Cody ;) ) (knocking loudly on wood and rubbing a rabbits foot :D). if yours are, then i think you have a leak, not condensation.
as far as the walls around the windows, keep an eye on it, and if you get somewhere that you can check one or take it out, i'd pull it and make sure its not leaking into the walls. maybe caulk more around the inside of the metal frame where it meets the wall so any water is running down the external of the wall, not the inside. i had too much experience with replacing rotten wall board inside.
Good Luck with it.
Thank you all for your comments. We are saving up for the dual pane sliders along with a Fantastic vent.
On the roof top air; It 1st started in the monsoon season in AZ. After an hour or so it would rain down like you turned on a hose. I got on the roof and noticed that the weep holes (drains) were not draining. There was water in the holes and it looked liked it was being held back by suction. As soon as we turned the unit off it would rain inside and come out the drains. I removed the shroud and opened up the unit. Everything appeared in order. I drilled the drain holes out to 1/2 inch but it still does the same thing? Am I missing something? M&C
Hi Singing Land Cruiser,
If you can get window insulator kits where you are (Home Depot or Lowes) put them on the inside of your window frames to control condensation. Window insulator kits consist of double faced tape and plastic film. You put the tape on the CLEAN, DRY window frame and then apply the plastic film to the tape, covering the whole window with plastic. Then use a hair dryer to shrink the plastic film until all the wrinkles are gone. The plastic film becomes very clear and easy to see through. The only disadvantage is that you cant open the window once the film is on but it eliminates, or at least greatly reduces, condensation. We got the idea from an article in Family Motor Coaching magazine and it worked well on our trip to Quartzsite, AZ and back.
Good luck, Sam MC8
I can't speak too highly about Fantastic Vent. That will help your problem greatly. What a company. They will not charge you for parts, even shipping! I caught a cover on a branch and broke it. Called them to order a replacement, and they sent it free. Even though it was my own carelessness. And I told them so. They feel once you buy a vent, it shouldn't cost you any more. Ever.
J Corey
It is hard to imagine condensation in AZ this time of year unless your weather is pretty cold?
Are you in the desert or the mts"
I thought the monsoon season was Aug?
If the weather is cool enough get a couple of cheap portable electric heaters from WM and use them to heat the bus. They will take care of the windows but probably not the AC, that is a mystery.
We are in Ramona,CA at this time. (San Diego) ;D
Ramona is usually pretty dry but they've had a lot of rain on the coast recently, even AZ has had a lot of rain.
As I said, try the inexpensive small portable electric heaters for the window cond.
Hi Gus, we are using small elec. heaters and they do dry things up but it takes most of the day. I think once the rain stops things should stay dry. In time we will get the DG windows. Thanks to everyone for all the insite and help. M&C ;D
Mike & Christi-
We can put that on the list of things to tinker with in a couple of weeks. . .lemme know if I need to bring the tall ladder or any care package parts!
Art & Cindy
www.webcove.com/eagle (http://www.webcove.com/eagle)
Hello Art, we have a tall ladder here. BOTN will be here a week before you. He doesn't know it yet but we are going to work on proper care and feeding of a DD, 8v92 along with Grease Gun 101.LOL We are looking forward to your & Cindy's visit. M&C ;D
SD Hmmmm... Haven't been there in a while. :-\ 8) 8) 8)
So Van, what are you thinking? Mini-rally FEB 26,27,28th? ;D ;D ;D M&C
In Ramona,CA, ANYONE?
Quote from: Singing Land Cruiser on February 10, 2010, 08:31:59 AM
So Van, what are you thinking? Mini-rally FEB 26,27,28th? ;D ;D ;DM&C
IF you have a mini rally those dates be sure a drink a few extra for me on the middle day! ;)
;D BK ;D (the politically incorrect busnut! ;) )
That would sure be nice being that our 692 is coming along nicely, fired her up this morning and woo hoo no drips and no smoke! at all! :o
Van, if you are coming I will put together a "Last Minute Mini-Rally" with entertainment, Prime Rib tag-a-long($4.95extra), pot luck, s'mores around a open fire. Adjust my Brakes, Continental Breakfast, show & tell your Bus, Group swap meet and more all packed into a Fri, Sat & 1/2 Sun (full hook ups)for $50.00 ........ What say you? M&C ;D
Let me present this to to the Mrs for approval :o, I learned a hard lesson :-X about making plans with out her ;D ;D, Thanks for the invite Mike, let me look into it it sounds like fun. ;)