Bob B
Emperor Of Solar
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2019
- Messages
- 8,813
What kind of heating element does the stove have?
If it's an open flame one of the byproducts is moisture.
How do you ventilate and heat the van? Aren't the two at odds with one another?
- Thread starter Gueyog8a7
- Start date
If it's an open flame one of the byproducts is moisture.
0truck0
New Member
we are talking about a wet area, not a cold metal surface that gets condensation. Two different topics so do not conflict. However, if you blow the warm, heated air on the condensation, then at least the area will be dry and mold free. You never want to have wet areas in a camper that do not get airflow. Airflow is critical.
You really going to end up having to crack a window. Rainy days are more rare than dry ones in most of the country
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Huh? I am talking about a wet cold metal surface in the back of the van. So not two different topics.
First time I have seen that blowing air on a wet surface will dry it out without any heat.
Anyway guys I went out on a road trip the other day and I was driving probably more than 12 hours with heater on almost all that time and window open a bit.
Of course it was dry during driving however the next morning when I got up I noticed a HUGE difference in condensation even on the windows.
Usually there would be massive rain forest type dew drops steaming down all over the windows but there was little more than a light mist of it.
I doubt simply a fluke of a drier day as much of the damp on the ribs had also dried out.
So whoever stated that the van should be dried out seems to have been on the money.
I am quickly running out of battery now. According to the lifepo4 voltages probably at some low 30% or less as stuck on 13.0 most of the time.
Time to get a dc-dc charger I think.
Of course it was dry during driving however the next morning when I got up I noticed a HUGE difference in condensation even on the windows.
Usually there would be massive rain forest type dew drops steaming down all over the windows but there was little more than a light mist of it.
I doubt simply a fluke of a drier day as much of the damp on the ribs had also dried out.
So whoever stated that the van should be dried out seems to have been on the money.
I am quickly running out of battery now. According to the lifepo4 voltages probably at some low 30% or less as stuck on 13.0 most of the time.
Time to get a dc-dc charger I think.
0truck0
New Member
correct. the heated air is the air you heated in the cabin, not cold outside air, I should have been more specific about blowing fan air on it.
*** edit, Just an update to confirm... 14 degrees the other night in the camper and I still had to leave a window and a roof vent cracked to keep from being too hot. So, answer to original question is, no, heating and venting is not at odds. A little condensation on the non-open window glass but the window can drain outside if wet, or will dry quickly with it cracked.
*** edit, Just an update to confirm... 14 degrees the other night in the camper and I still had to leave a window and a roof vent cracked to keep from being too hot. So, answer to original question is, no, heating and venting is not at odds. A little condensation on the non-open window glass but the window can drain outside if wet, or will dry quickly with it cracked.
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To update after some time has passed. My 2 layers (4mm + 4mm) held strong at keeping the headliner section dry down to around 0c but when there was a -8c and some similar negative nights the dam broke and it soaked up the wet and resulting ice like a sponge! I reckon another layer taking it to 12mm would probably do the trick but since they are exceptional nights and it is warmer now at 8-13c for the moment I might not bother for the time being.
I have been running the 100mm exhaust fan in the roof overnight and plan to leave on all the time now. It seems to have made a HUGE difference.
Waaay less condensation on windows and the walls seemed dry when they used to be damp most mornings. Also my bedding used to be damp to touch when I woke up and even the air itself feels fresher and dryer to breathe if that is possible.
Before I was only running for an hour or so while cooking. For the result it has garnered it definitely seems worth the energy usage of keeping on all the time, which is modest anyway since the fan is only 0.16 amps. 24 hours with that is still less than an hour our two run of the diesel heat, not to mention diesel fuel costs.
I still have another fan I haven't used yet that I originally bought to use as intake for the bottom floor hole.
Waaay less condensation on windows and the walls seemed dry when they used to be damp most mornings. Also my bedding used to be damp to touch when I woke up and even the air itself feels fresher and dryer to breathe if that is possible.
Before I was only running for an hour or so while cooking. For the result it has garnered it definitely seems worth the energy usage of keeping on all the time, which is modest anyway since the fan is only 0.16 amps. 24 hours with that is still less than an hour our two run of the diesel heat, not to mention diesel fuel costs.
I still have another fan I haven't used yet that I originally bought to use as intake for the bottom floor hole.
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Dave in AZ
Solar Enthusiast
Lol, you got told this on page1, your whole thread is asking how to ventilate but still heat. Everyone said you have to ventilate and suck up the heat loss. But I'm glad to hear you are finally blowing that moist breath air outside and getting some resolution!
Nowhere did I deny that was a good idea. I simply had not tried it yet, except for the existing passive venting, due to focusing on heat - which provided limited benefit at least in short bursts and realizing the length of time needed to heat to remove substantial moisture would cost a fortune in diesel.
I then looked to ventilation which I have now done and am enjoying good results. However the damp is back up again due to a lot of rain yesterday but I guess it will still be an improvement.
I suppose in such cases both heat and venting will be required. Perhaps running the heater in the worst conditions at low.
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Living in a cold damp metal box is not only uncomfortable but also unhealthy, sounds like a great place for mold to grow. Beef up your electrical system a little, mainly by adding alternator charging, run some fans constantly and your heater more often(all night), the benefits far outweigh the costs. Think about how much nicer your life would be if your van was just warm and dry and you didn't have to spend all winter, plus late fall and early spring dealing with moisture related problems.
Why no love for this thread when this thread got so much attention? The topic is very similar.
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