Carcapsule outside bubble damp storage problems!

[speedandstealth]

Hi all!

Took the plunge and bought on impulse a mint 62 Cadillac Coupe which just happened to be 4 inches longer than my garage!!

As I have a spare area at the side of the house I bought an outside storage bubble from Carcapsule as it seemed the perfect solution to dry outside storage.

I decided to store the car in October after a couple of dry days. I zipped her up inside the bubble with the windows dropped as recommended to keep the whole car fresh and dry! All was well in the world, or so I thought!

Last weekend I decided to get the car out for a warm up and run. After deflating the bubble and uncovering the car I was horrified to find the car was wet, the tyres were surrounded by water and the interior had a started to grow white mould!! Also the front edge of the bonnet had started to raise a few bubbles which I know were not there before!

Angry does not describe how I felt and after drying the car and spraying WD40 around the engine bay and underneath I fired her up and took her for a spin, which was great and calmed me down!

I would love to know if anyone else has had any similar experiences as I made sure I followed all instructions carefully and am now pursuing the company for a full refund.

I think I am right to enforce my consumer rights as I am sure that this storage unit cant be described as fit for purpose, especially as the website says that no other form of dehumidification would be required.

Look forward to hearing from you.

P.s my corvette sits in the garage all winter and is fresh as a daisy!

Edited by speedandstealth on Saturday 16th January 20:42

[graeme36s]

That is very bad news. I too would like some recommendations for reliable outdoor storage bubbles. How do you deal with the wind getting at them. I have power available so can run a fan on an airchamber.

[lowdrag]

There is obviously a serious airflow problem which has kept all the damp inside. I have had great reports of such systems (admittedly indoor ones) and have ordered one myself. I suggest you take it up with the suppliers straight away and see what they say. At the very least you have comeback and can get back your money.

[Neil MG]

Pretty much impossible to keep a car dry outside. Lots of ways to keep water off the top but wind, humidity, wicking and changing temperatures will get through most solutions.

If it's of any use here is the most comprehensive list available of indoor storage companies throughout the UK mainland. There are over 75 companies shown together with their location and links to their websites:

http://is.gd/5djK9

Neil

[leyorkie]

I have an indoor version by CarCoon which is brilliant. Put a wet car in and it will dry it off no problem.
With an out side version I would worry about the fan intakes and the air channel, the inside version has foam filter elements on the fan, what is there for your outside version? has it been sucking rain,or at least damp humid air? Is there an outlet which is not allowing the air to flow? I was thinking of getting an oudoor version from CarCoon but thinking about it it can only draw in damp humid air, unless there is some system of de-humidifying.
Just looked at CarCapsule is it single skin? no mention of double skin as the Outdoor CarCoon has, it also has an isulated floor.

Edited by leyorkie on Sunday 6th December 14:00

[gjf15]

I have an external Carcoon.
There is a flap over the filters that prevents water being sucked in.
I used some some plastic mesh to keep the flap away from the filters ( think large chip pan mesh).
It also keeps the battery conditioned (it will run off the car battery, but will not completely drain the battery)and continually charges the battery.
You can put the car into the carcoon wet, as there is a vent that youu unzip to speed up the drying process. Leave zip open for 24hrs, so car is dry, then seal. I used to store a TVR in it, when you open the vents after 4 weeks of storage, all you could smell was leather. All the aluminum in the engine bay remained shiny. Car was always kept bone dry. I cannot reccomend it enough. I still use it inside the garage now.
Someone threw a traffic cone over our wall, smashing a wall light. The cone bounced off the carcoon, with no damage to it or the car.
100% reccommended.

[RW774]

It seems the air fed into through the bubble has not been dried, same issues you have in a non air-conditiioned car/ office. Hot air on a cold screen with create condensation.If the air feed is dried first that is passed through some sort of condenser, that should sort the problem. These outside bubbles don`t dry the air before it is pumped through the bubble.Thats`not the manufacturers fault,you need to consider our piss poor climate and how wet it is.
Try speaking to an aircondioning engineer non automative , Industrial of domestic for advice.

[joshc]

speedandstealth said:

Hi all!

Took the plunge and bought on impulse a mint 62 Cadillac Coupe which just happened to be 4 inches longer than my garage!!

Then have the garage extended? Dry indoor storage with a dehumidifier is the only way for something like a classic Cadillac.

Edited by joshc on Saturday 16th January 12:33

[arrocuda]

joshc said:

Then have the garage extended? Dry indoor storage with a dehumidifier is the only way for something like a classic Cadillac.

Edited by joshc on Saturday 16th January 12:33

OR.... move to Texas or maybe Arizona!!

[speedandstealth]

Thanks guys for all of your comments and advice and I agree that extending the length of the garage is the only real option!......I have even drawn up some plans!!
Keep and eye out for a 20 foot car capsule on ebay some time in the near future!

[vpr]

Seeing your pride and joy covered in trapped moisture is a heartstopping moment.

This does more damage than if the car was left outside in the rain....there needs to be air circulation.