Dehumidifiers - motorhomes

[Spuffington]

So, I bought 3 of those passive dehumidifiers with silica poured into vented trays over tupperware style boxes about 4wks ago and have left them in the van whilst it is laid up since we last used it.

I was rather surprised when I went down there on Saturday to find that the two of them placed in the main hab area (one on the Luton bed and one on the dining table) were almost full. I kinda expected there to be more moisture in the air during the winter, but it is normal to see moisture in the van throughout? The one sitting in the bathroom has barely collected anything, which for some reason surprises me. The only explanation I can think of is that the bathroom is sitting in the shade and isn't subject to such extreme heating and cooling cycles as the main cab & hab area.

Again, this is a symptom of first-timer nervousness!

Not sure why I'm so concerned given I've had a relatively clean bill of health from the hab check. But paranoid about damp.

Guess I should just be grateful that the water is collecting in the dehumidifiers rather than in the walls!!

What's your opinion and does anyone else use them? I'm going to get another 3 to pop in there this week. I've also got two of the hanging pouches for the wardrobes hanging up and they're filling slowly.

Should I be worried?

[Rosscow]

Well..... a campervan or caravan isn't a sealed environment.

They will always fill up as you're sucking moisture in from the outside.

The ones in the living area are probably filling quicker as there are more vents to the outside world (under the seats, etc.) than in the bathroom.

[nagsheadwarrior]

We've just bought a job lot of valium at work, we're supplying it as part of a free starter kit for all first time buyers!

I think Rosscos nailed it, if it passed a damp test then it's dry, for now........

[nagsheadwarrior]

We've just bought a job lot of valium at work, we're supplying it as part of a free starter kit for all first time buyers!

I think Rosscos nailed it, if it passed a damp test then it's dry, for now........

[Spuffington]

nagsheadwarrior said:

if it passed a damp test then it's dry, for now........

I think it's this bit that bothers me....!

Heyho. Have another couple of weekends booked in it for the next fortnight - am sure all will be forgotten once we're in it.

[Rosscow]

Spuffington said:

nagsheadwarrior said:

if it passed a damp test then it's dry, for now........

I think it's this bit that bothers me....!

Heyho. Have another couple of weekends booked in it for the next fortnight - am sure all will be forgotten once we're in it.

I had sleepless nights over this when buying our caravan, and once a few warranty items were sorted and it was given a clean bill of health I have since adopted the following attitude:

a) It's out of warranty
b) It's 6 years old
c) It sits in the rain all year - something will happen one day
d) When and if it does happen, I'll fix it myself
e) Enjoy the bloody thing!!!

The only way to not have these worries (the problems will still exist!) is to buy new with a warranty.

But i'd rather save the money!

[Spuffington]

Thanks for that, Rosscow - providing I'm doing e) I tend to be ok. It's when it sits there for a while that I then start worrying. Guess the only option is to do e) more often!

This weekend will replicate that.

[LouD86]

I put a few of those into my old 32 year old caravan, and got nothing? Maybe not doing it right.

If the habitation check seems ok, don't worry. My parents still leave a little 500w greenhouse heater in their caravan and camper whenever they are not in it, just for peace of mind. Mine, I don't bother. I will for the first few weeks with the new van, just to make sure it is dry though, although less than 10% in a 19 year old van, I can't moan!