is it condensation?

[happycamperbrat]

I live in a very dry climate, but we are getting tons of rain right now so there is an unusual amount of moisture in the air and I just may not be used to it. I might be getting worried over nothing. But if it is just condensation, what do I do when my ceiling is in to combat any moisture? I have a stainless steel roof inside the bus and have it nearly all completely stripped except the back part near the engine. With the plastic ceiling and OEM insulation removed today I noticed drops of water on the ceiling every few inches from front to back. I have the doors open on the south side and several windows open on the north side thinking it would allow good air flow. I havent been able to work on the bus or even visit it much lately because of family issues, but I was real surprised to see this today.....

[MARKMC7]

without seeing a pic i would venture to say you are looking at condensation. if the droplets are based solely on and around seems, you may want to take a closer look as this could be leaks. but more likely from the sound of it you just got condensation ventilation or not until that steel meets equal temps to the outside it will not dry up. FWIW.
Mark

[Don4107]

We have a Maxxair vent in our first bus that stays open year round when in storage. Ugly but it sure works.  Inside, outside, rain, snow it stays open and never a problem with moisture.

Water vapor is lighter than air.  That is why you have vents near the peak of you house and why the clouds are (mostly) up there instead of down here.  Sister built a tall house and closed up the peak before installing  vents.  Indoor rain ensued.

If you have a roof vent that you can protect from the rain it might help.  Maxxair makes some that will fit over standard roof vents.  As I said, ugly but functional.

Good luck,
Don 4107

[Dave5Cs]

HCB

We have 1 fantastic fan in the Bath and just leave it open even with the rain in Cali right now. It has a rain cover that has side openings to keep rain out but also stops any condensation from forming.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. And a great New Year


Dave

[happycamperbrat]

Merry Christmas to you too Dave! Thanks for all the replies! Yes, Im pretty sure it is condensation because it is absolutely not just at seams like a leak would be. I do have 2 top escape hatches so tomorrow I will open them. Hopefully that will take care of it and when I do the conversion I will make sure to put in plenty of roof vents. Thanks!

[Ace]

No vents in our bus YET and after five years, still no condensation. I do leave my buys plugged in 24/7 with 1 ac on low during the hot months here in Florida but none on during the cool months.

[Tenor]

As I was converting my MCI 7, I got that several times.  Especially in the winter with a propane heater going.  Don't worry.  Once you get it insulated (closed cell foam either sprayed on or sheets cut to fit) and the ceiling in, the condensation will be gone.  Additionally, if you mount your outer most ceiling layer to the metal roof bracing, you will continue to get moisture through those fasteners.  You want to stagger your fasteners so that your finish ceiling mounts to wood (or otherwise) that mounts to the coach body.  Good luck!

Glenn

[PP]

We have a Max air over the stove in the kitchen (always open). We have a mushroom vent in Bath (always open) and a T-5 power vent in Bedroom, also always open. If these aren't enough, we open the skylights when it's not raining. Heat sources located low near floor. Airflow is the key to a dry structure. So long as the air is rising, it is carrying the moisture up and out with it. Find the balance between maintaining a comfortable temp and air flow, and all will be good, no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Good luck, Will & Wife

[happycamperbrat]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I would have thought that having the doors and several windows open would have been enough, but I guess I am just not used to this much moisture....... we might even have snow today (it is cold enough ...... got my fingers crossed) Merry Christmas everyone