About to start putting stuff in but there's a problem

[Zephod]

Well, not so much of a problem but something to work around...

My bus gets condensation, quite badly. I see it on the inside of the roof after I have been in there a while. I lifted some planks I'd piled on the vinyl floor (when there was vinyl) and they were wet underneath - from condensation.

Im not quite sure what to do about condensation other than perhaps invest in some mini dehumidifiers and run them straight off solar power. Has anybody any other solutions? I don't want to cover panels in case I need to access them (like I had to for the rear light assembleys that somebody had covered so thoroughly it took most of a day to gain access).

[bobofthenorth]

Condensation is a huge problem in any RV.  Cooking adds a lot of moisture to the air but even just living in the RV adds moisture to the air.  Insulation helps control condensation but it will still happen if its cold outside.  Ventilation is the only sure fix but when you have condensation its because it is cold outside so ventilation means bringing in cold air which puts an added load on your heating system.  Forced air systems that draw outside air and warm it will have less problems than closed loop heating systems which warm the inside air or objects.  Its a problem and if you don't deal with it you will end up with mold growing on the walls and in the carpet so you need to take it seriously.  We have never used dehumidifiers but I know that some people have success with them.  We have always just kept some air moving through from outside and burned up some extra heat.

[Zephod]

I was thinking dehumidifier because blowing air through doesn't really solve the problem - particularly if it's wet outside. In terms of power consumption, a dehumidifier is basically a fridge that alternately cools and warms. So really, all it is is a pair of electric motors that does warm the air slightly.

[luvrbus]

I just move air it's the pits to wake up in 0 weather with the windshields a solid slab of ice on the INSIDE

[bobofthenorth]

I was thinking dehumidifier because blowing air through doesn't really solve the problem - particularly if it's wet outside. In terms of power consumption, a dehumidifier is basically a fridge that alternately cools and warms. So really, all it is is a pair of electric motors that does warm the air slightly.

You'll need to do whatever works for you but the reason bringing in outside air is important is that relative humidity changes with temperature.  Warm air will hold more water than cold air.  Even when its raining outside, the air inside the coach will hold more water than the air outside, assuming the inside air is warmer.  The problem comes when that warmer, wetter, inside air contacts a cold surface, like the windows or like some external wall that isn't perfectly insulated.  You have warm air that is holding all the water it possibly can - 99.99999% relative humidity IOW.  When it cools even slightly it changes to over 100% RH which is impossible so the water effectively "falls out" of the air and you end up with water running down the wall or window.

[HB of CJ]

Bad time of year as moisture once inside a Bus Conversion or even one starting construction, stays inside.  We sweat, air cools and moisture drops out, cooking, etc..

About the only thing you can do right now is just hang on until dryer hotter weather.  Pretend you are in a boat, they have been dealing with the same problems for years.

You will literally have to bake the inside of the coach to get the water out of it.  Stuff gets wet and it wants to stay wet.  Right now you can use milk heaters and a big fan.

But even using two, (2) 1500 portable heaters along with a big big fan will be expensive if you run them for several months continuously.  You do need a dry coach to start with.

Wait until spring?  Then park the coach in the direct sun light and let the interior roast, boiling the water out of everything.  Then vent with a big fan.  Good luck.

HB of CJ (old coot)

[qayqayt]

I put six containers of desiccant crystals throughout our 35 foot coach.  We have it parked for the winter with an RV style cover on it.  After 5 weeks, I dropped by yesterday to empty the water out of the containers.  I almost filled an ice cream bucket.  There was over 10 cups of water.  No condensation on any interior walls or windows, so it works!

We found that the RV cover helped.  We got much more moisture without the cover.

I forget the brand name of the crystals because we buy a generic brand from our RV supply store.  I've seen them in WalMart and other big box stores.

Bryan
Vancouver BC

[eagle19952]

Just curious.... at what cost ? $$

I put six containers of desiccant crystals throughout our 35 foot coach.  We have it parked for the winter with an RV style cover on it.  After 5 weeks, I dropped by yesterday to empty the water out of the containers.  I almost filled an ice cream bucket.  There was over 10 cups of water.  No condensation on any interior walls or windows, so it works!

We found that the RV cover helped.  We got much more moisture without the cover.

I forget the brand name of the crystals because we buy a generic brand from our RV supply store.  I've seen them in WalMart and other big box stores.

Bryan
Vancouver BC

[Dreamscape]

While we at the Oregon Coast a couple of years ago we went to Wal Mart and bought some Damp Rid, the hanging type. It was amazing on how much water they soaked up. It did help, but not eliminate the problem.

[Zephod]

Thanks. I was very impressed by a dehumidifier I had in a mobile home one time. If there are decent 12v versions, that would be great. silica gel does work but is costly

[Scott & Heather]

We use. Dehumidifier. Works amazingly well. Try it.


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[Charles in SC]

Is your bus parked on pavement or dirt? If you can park it in a dry place it will stay drier inside.

[luvrbus]

Move to AZ and you need nothing

[Lostranger]

Running radiant propane heaters during the early part of last winter nearly drowned us. Our little wood stove cured the problem, and it saves many dollars on the heat bill. The main reason many expensive sail boats have wood stoves is to make everything dry.

Jim H.

[qayqayt]

Just curious.... at what cost ? $$

We pay about $15 for a gallon sized jug of the generic crystals.  Enough crystals for a dozen containers.  You can buy some small plastic colanders or strainers from the dollar store and place them on top of plastic coffee cans.  The moisture collects in the bottom of the coffee can.   Or you can buy the proper containers for about $10 each and they come with one serving of the crystals.

We don't have access to power where we have our coach stored.