Winter Van Life Condensation Hack
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Living in a camper van full time comes with many challenges one of the biggest issues for me has always been condensation in the winter
I recommend this 2KW Air Diesel Heater from Amazon perfect for camper vans. with LCD, Thermostat Monitor, Remote Control, 10L Tank
amzn.to/3UYuLEQ
The all new maXpeedingroods diesel heater,s
5KW Diesel Heater with Bluetooth amzn.to/3W16tvq
All in one Diesel Heater Bluetooth Control
amzn.to/3HBtkth
12V AC DC Power Adapter for diesel heaters amzn.to/3j5y5RD
My aim is to give you campervan conversion ideas on how to convert a van into a camper and to help inspire you to build your own tiny home on wheels
please consider subscribing to my channel I really do appreciate your support thank you.
To really help support my channel why no join my member's community and get to see my videos first and without adverts, Don't forget to turn on notifications by clicking the Bell thank you 👍🤓👍
/ @bigvansmallworld
My Amazon Store
Where you will find everything that I have used in this video & my van builds. Plus more great van life essentials.
www.amazon.co....
Jackery Portable Power Station
UK amzn.to/3dovzz7
USA amzn.to/3136ZBG
eBay & Amazon link to USB Dehumidifier
ebay.us/2ca5Gy
www.amazon.co....
eBay & Amazon link to Karcher window vac
ebay.us/KAg1uk
www.amazon.co....
here's a link to my woodstove
cubicminiwoods...
here's a link to the scan tool I use www.amazon.co....
POWEROAK Portable Power Generator
www.amazon.co....
@johnmandy
#melsvanlife #melsvanworld #overlanding
I recommend this 2KW Air Diesel Heater from Amazon perfect for camper vans. with LCD, Thermostat Monitor, Remote Control, 10L Tank
amzn.to/3UYuLEQ
The all new maXpeedingroods diesel heater,s
5KW Diesel Heater with Bluetooth amzn.to/3W16tvq
All in one Diesel Heater Bluetooth Control
amzn.to/3HBtkth
12V AC DC Power Adapter for diesel heaters amzn.to/3j5y5RD
To prevent moisture build up on your windows , apply shaving foam on them clean it up and you'll be fine for 4 days but at least you don't have to vacuum them every day.
Can't get them anywhere in UK and the few available suffer the usual greedy twice or treble the price
Hi Mel I'm a huge fan of yours, but I've got to point out a few things. Condensation is not attracted to glass, it simply forms on any cold surface. This is usually is a window as they're very poor insulators. With regards to water vapour and condensation, temperature is your friend. A basic rule of gasses like air is the higher the temperature the more water vapour they can hold, so keeping you van warm (must be the whole van, cold spots will cause condensation) will keep the moisture in the air rather than in you bed. The second is ventilation. If you can blow this warm air out, them hey presto along goes the dissolved water with it. Obviously it's a fine balance. Having a window wide open will cool the van or cost a fortune to heat, but a small fan and aperture coupled with a steady low heat should do the trick. Keep the videos coming really love your projects!
Thank you James that’s some great advice 👍
@@vancouvervanagon9453 absolutely. I've run mine well below zero, with clear windows the whole time.
The only way the windows would steam up is billing the kettle, but cleared again within five minutes. Apart from the noise of the stupid fuel pump, I love my 5kw heater.
Any advice for bedrooms windows please…
@@theknightcrossing I saw a video with a guy that put a muffler on the air intake and then the filter and the sound went almost invisible.
@Mo Sam I purchased a smaller Damp Rid bucket on my last trip. I know it does work bc I used to work at a popular hardware store and we sold a lot of it. It’s basically a manual dehumidifier. I kept checking it to see if there was water in the bottom but there wasn’t yet, however, the granules that is used did turn into the hard brick like they’re supposed to so that means it had to absorb moisture to create the brick. I do run my ceiling fan when I boil water.
I think whatever you use, you are creating moisture quicker than you can absorb it, especially when it's cold. Best thing to do is to have a constant heat and ventilate.
Yeah I wipe any off with a sponge straight away, no mess no fuss.
Yes your correct, you really need to be extracting the air constantly, all camper/caravans should have a dehumidifier extract fan, that’s comes on automatically when required and then your not using power needlessly. Just taking it off your glass isn’t enough to be honest.
I noticed his little dehumidifier gadget and I think it is too small. I have a proper dehumidifier and it removes non-trivial amounts of moisture from the air. Ventilation is good, but how good is it during wet and cold months? Heating and dehumidifier should work well, plus some ventilation. My experience is a lot of moisture comes from the outside and dehumidifier works harder in rainy days.
Too much talking ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
The Diesel Heater has dry heat that eliminates the excessive moisture problem in Van Living.
Yes it does work extremely well 👍
That is if you run it enough to keep the van warm at all times. If you let the van cool down then the windows get cold again and once you warm it back up - bam, condensation.
I lived in a shared house, and my shower room was full of black mould. I cleaned it , and it kept coming back because there was a serious damp issue. I ended up with a chronic cough . Roll on 10 years later.. I ended up in hospital because I couldn't breath. After lots of tests and scans in May last year I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A terminal lung condition 😢. Mould is a killer
We have a dehumidifier on the landing in our house. Works a treat in the winter....gets so much moisture out of our 1930's built house
His name is not gadget John his name is called mankey gadget John
Dehumidifier don’t work that well them windows are soaking 🤦🏻♂️. Top tip fella get a tubaware container fill it with salt and tea bags pop the lid on poke some holes in the top and leave that under your bed it will soak up the moisture 👍👍. When it’s full bin the contents and start again 👍.
Sweet I’ll do that too 👍
Take 100ug B12 from holland and barratt..I've had similar problems, low B12 makes it worse ..
So you wipe the window with a towel? How / where do you dry the damp towel? Do you just dump it? Do you dry it in the van? If you do does it mean you aren't removing the water from the van. Only way to remove condensation is with a roof vent and front windows cracked ever so slightly for air flow(like you have). It will get cold so you will need the heater running all night. I had to mount the pump better to reduce the clicking noise. It works for me and I have minimum insulation in my van, and zero vapour barriers.
You’re absolutely right 👍
Would some kitty litter tied in a few old socks help?
I’m car living, trying to figure this out as well.
I woke up coughing, felt wet everywhere and it was 30f degrees. When everything is so cold you can’t tell if it’s damp or just cold, is a miserable place to be.
I got a room for the next few nights until I can solve the condensation problem, or at least help.
Thanks for your videos!
It's just that it's visible on the windows buddy but it's everywhere else as well.
Use kitty litter in a couple long tube socks. It'll suck up the moisture all the time including while you sleep
Brilliant I would if I had any socks without holes in lol 😂 👍😊👍
EVER HEARD OF CHAMOIS LEATHER PAL?! ...WHY MORE GADGETS? SAVE YER BATTERIES! ;-]
Where do you dry the towel? If it's in the van, then it's going back in the air.
During the day when the van is open 👍
Frank gadget John sorry monkey gadget John having a Guinness team of a s*** to him
We've had a window vac for a number of years now, it's Beldray brand which we bought from the local B&M store and it's still going strong a great idea .
Thank you 😊
Unvented propane heaters give off water vapor. It’s just the chemistry of how it works. (I read once a gallon of propane will give off about a gallon of water in vapor form.) The gadgets on this video are not the answer. You need a vented heater. He’s right, black mold is deadly. Do the right thing.
Hi Mel have you ever thought about running the roof fan above you bed to move the warm air about this shoud keep the condensation away or just getting a little fan pluged into a Jackery this is what we do and fingers crossed its worked for us because we dont have any blinds on our little motorhome just curtains on the front window . This was advice given to us on our first trip away after waking up to a front window full of condensation . x
Hi Sarah yes air movement is definitely the best way to keep condensation at bay but unfortunately the colder it gets the harder it is to stop it from building up on the front windows it’s all part of camping in winter 🥶 thanks for taking the time to comment 👍😊👍
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that tiny thermoelectric dehumidifier may be collecting water but it's not reducing the humidity in the air, which is obvious with the amount on your windows. So you either have to stop breathing or heat with a diesel heater that exhausts outside, to lower the humidity levels inside or a larger compressor dehumidifier.
If you can't do the above, very well fitting insulated window covers will help stop condensation, but you'll still have high humidity, that is working it's way into everything.
Good luck.
Thank you 😊
Try having sarcoidosis while conquering vanlife... fun times
Sounds painful
The moisture on the windows is just a tiny percentage of what's in the vehicle, absorbed in the bedding, clothing, mattress, wood, etc. Removing the condensed moisture will do little, esp since it won't collect more throughout the day. Best to just open a vent or crack a window at night, or run your A/C.
Thanks for that
So if your dehumidifier works why is all the windows covered in mist,? can't be that good or am i missing something, have you tried them bags that you microwave once full ?
I don’t have a microwave
A bad lung infection this time last year? Hmm could it be relevant to what's happening around the world today?
Maybe who knows 🤷♂️👍😂👍
I recommend damp rid or similar products I also have heard of bamboo charcoal bags are worth trying as is normal kitty litter
Thank you I’ll have a go next winter 🤓👍
by the look of your windows it REALLY DOES NOT WORK.
It’s dramatic affect 👍😂👍
Have you thought about getting an external "Silver Screen" I don't get any condensation at all when the screen is on.
I’m hoping Santa will bring me one 👍😊👍
Great moisture hacks. I assume that your van also has a moisture barrier along with the insulation. You’ll need to ventilate as well as use that wood burning stove more if you want to completely rid yourself of condensation. I suggest getting well insulated window covers for your cab windows, isolate (via insulated curtains) the cabin from the cockpit, and leave your front windows open a crack to allow air to come in for ventilation. The aim is to leave the cockpit unheated, allow some cold air to ‘leak’ past the curtain, warm up, and then get expelled via your roof van. The incoming cold air will not get any colder when in the cockpit, will warm up in the cab, and will take out any increased moisture (from your breathing, etc) through the roof van.
Thank you 😊
Beautiful campervan.
Thank you 😊
A Window Vac is a good solution to the symptom, but not a cure for the cause (they are good for drying out our shower room after use too!)
The condensation revelation for us was moving to an external windscreen cover since then no condensation at all with a bit of heating and ventilation.
ExploreVan UK yes they make a huge difference but not ideal if you have to move pronto!
Chinese diesel heater. Not had condensation once.
His accent is so much like bear grills I feel like I’m watching a man vs wild episode
Thank you I’ll take that 🤓👍
Get a tray of kitty litter to suck all the moisture.
Hey bud, insulation doesn't mitigate it in conjunction with two decent fan vents rated appropriately? :"(
Thank you ☺️
Negate not mitigate :") I was hoping a humidity sensor with the fans would do the trick. I also didn't thank you for sharing:) this got me worried about living the van life. I guess using a towel or cleaner isn't too bad. Come to think of it, my dad got a kind of bean bag cheap from boyes or somewhere. It's for his far smaller people carrier (wet tools hauled in back) but it apparently does great for the windscreen :o
I have the anniversary edition of the karcher comes with two blades one the same as yours and one smaller, easier for fiddly windows.
Brilliant 👍
Try 500g Bags of Silica Gel. We use them where I work to protect aircraft engines during storage (Stored outside!). I had a problem with condensation in my car, and after chucking a couple of bags of gel in the door card pockets, I'd find the windows were perfectly clear in the mornings. Great stuff. You need to replace it after a while, or you can reuse it - by putting the packs of gel in a very low set oven for an hour or so. It should help - if only reduce the issue.
Thank you 👍
like your crook lock lol when i was putting one on my van in Portugal this woman said i knew you were a brit the moment i saw that
I have the same condensation in my Tiny House on wheels especially after using gas butane stove.
Thank you for sharing, i will buy this Karcher.
Thank you happy new year too 🥳
When you burn butane or propane water vapor is given off, flueless cooking appliances should only be used with good ventilation....Van life and Tiny houses have a massive potential to undo years of CO poisoning awareness. Please get a CO alarm less than £20 and can save lives, not just for faulty appliances but possibly drawing attention to the lack of proper ventilation in many home built Van's and house's.
I only joined Xmas eve and iv been glued to ur videos love the van can't wait to get out in mine keep up the good work Mel and merry Christmas
Thank you Tom that’s really appreciated merry Christmas buddy 👍🎄👍
Double/triple glazed windows would be the job with a solar dehumidifier. If only.
easy don't have windows in ya van If you want a view open the door and go out into the Universe
That’s golden and pretty much about rite 👍
Those Karcher window vacs are great. Remember to regularly take it to pieces (they clip apart very easily) and clean/dry the internals and blades as best you can, otherwise the dreaded black mold can grow inside the damp gizmo.
Ohh that’s good advice thank you buddy 👍😊👍
If you had one of those new modern technology doohickies that produces water from the air ( which, essentially, in a small space, would/should be a dehumidifier), it produces clean water for you to drink - you'd have it made.
Oh that’s really good idea I wonder if it would work thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciated 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Also, I'm not sure of the arrangement of your bed, but if it is on a pedestal and you have storage beneath it, you could put a little fan , like a computer fan 3×3/4×4" In the panel to ventilate underneath your bed. Turn it on during the day. Or maybe during the night in summer, Maybe if you get just the right size it will keep you cooler. I was watching one of your other videos and you were talking about having an infection in your chest because of mold or something I was dozing off so I really don't know. But when this video came on I figured I would say something. I don't know what year these videos of years were made but I do hope you are quite fit now.
@@BigVanSmallWorld According to the things I've learned, your heat source has a lot to do with moisture inside. It seems that woodburners are the best at keeping the inside drier. . other heat sources actually create water in the air. Also, is your Van actually sealed tight or does it "breathe". I tried to sit through one of your videos wherein you were installing the vapor barrier.. I wasn't in a patient mood to see an outcome of that so I moved to another video Because I'm not gonna be building mine anytime soon. But from what I've learned, having watched about 3000 videos, people whose vans "breathe" don't have condensation. Do you have a store associated with your channel maybe you could sell that windshield water sucker doohickie and get a cut of the money. You could advertise it for all the people who are having a problem with window water, who haven't found or cannot facilitate a change just now.
How about the Police that can see windshields like this and know that someone is sleeping in there. You need a wall built behind the drivers and passenger sides seats. You need a real heater not that chinese Heater or Buddy Heater etc. You can get a real furnace for $1,000 it's for a van or bus, it's a propane and has a exhaust that goes outside. Yes a dehumidifier or a woodstove would work also. I've been in vans down to minus 20 Degrees with 8 layers of blankets.
I honestly don't see the point. I never have any kind of blower or heat on when sleeping. Fresh moving air is the main way to sleep healthy. Always keep at least two windows (preferably four) slightly open on opposite sides of the vehicle. Avoid wiping internal windows at dawn. Simply open all the doors and windows until all glass services are naturally air dried. If it's raining in the morning, then start engine and turn internal car blowers on for a while. If you must wipe internal codensation, then use paper towels and then dispose of wet towels.
Do you sleep in your van during the winter 🌨
@@BigVanSmallWorld I've been in my X5 the past few nights. Snow, sleet, rain and gale force winds, with the odd ⛅ glimpses of sun. Typical winter weather. Lol. 😂 Just finished snowing and now a full moon 🌛 is out. Beautiful.
ITS WINTER..KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING..DRY HEAT ..
Thank you I do try too 👍
I just fitted a fletner wind driven vent above my bed and leave the front windows down and inch and don't close the bulk head curtain and don't any condensation at all and there's two of us in my van, happy days
Ooh yes I had two in my transit they were brilliant now I’m thinking maybe I should look at getting one for my sprinter thank you I completely forgot about them 👍👍😊
Do they only pull air in when the van is driving? Or do they let air out also, without having to drive?
@@conor909 they don't pull air in they take stale air out and no as long as there's a breeze it will spin and take air out. If ya leave the front windows open an inch itl keep the air flowing. My van feels warmer for it as theres no stagnant air anymore or so they say.
@@patrickpirelli7897 I see. Thanks!!
Talk to Bob Wells, ask him how to prevent condensation.
Ohh I love Bob he’s a legend 👍😊👍
Talk to Bob Wells about humidity? He winters in Arizona, it’s dryer than a popcorn fart there.
When did a tip become a hack
I'm afraid there is a misconception here: the water on your windows is FROM air. Air at certain temperature can withhold certain amount of water . If it gets too much (100% humidity) you will get condensation. Near cold surfaces the air temp is lower than in the middle of your living volume that is why you get condensation on cold surfaces. It does not mean that you have 100% humidity all around. And cold surfaces actually take the water out of the air - that is how dehumidifier works!
Of course if you heat the van harder you will lower your relative humidity.
thanks from germany, mate. hope you're all right up there!!
Thank you buddy I’m doing ok 👍 same to you too
How do you stop condensation happening then? You just showed how to clean it up sorry 😐 👍
You will never stop condensation in a vehicle
Maybe you had covid? Did you have antibody test?
No I didn’t have Covid I’m sure of that 👍
The best dehumidifier you have in your van is your wood burner!
Yep 👍
was thinking the same, if that was running through the night on low damper i wonder how much that would take care of it?
What about your woodstove? Does it not take out moisture?
Surprisingly no as it doesn’t last all night it only burns for around 3 hours and that’s if I fill it and choke it right down thanks for the suggestion though really appreciated 👍
Diesel heater gives dry air, probably helps on the condensation problems
Thank you yes it certainly does 👍
crack a window its the easiest way. you can buy window vents that work a complete seal on the van is what causes all the condensation. Yes it will get a bit cooler but thats what heaters are for. Very simple.
I do appreciate your feedback thank you trust me I have my front windows open about an inch and my fan is always vented too it’s a real pain 👍😊👍
Try cutting bubble wrap to the window size. Bubble wrap will stick to glass and reduce the heat loss and condensation . . It's practicle for all glass .
I’m on it 👍☺️👍
Holy god i understand nearly nothing.... must be a very strange language 😩
Do you understand sign language 🖕
@@BigVanSmallWorld oh thanks so much... very british 🤦🏻♂️
Great vid. As you mentioned before, a slatted bed is vital. I had a beautiful mk1 17ft Safari caravan. The sofa/pullout double bed had solid boards. The foam wicks away your sweat, gravity pullls it to the bottom and on occasion it freezes in the depths of winter! Tbh I hadnt noticed till I propted up the cushions to air them one frosty morning but the thought of it wasnt great. Cracking windows and doors and firing up the stove to pants only furnace temperatures is a great option as well. Maybe not in Morrisons car park though.
That’s funny thank you 🙏
your problem is ventilation and heating. you have a serious humidity problem in your van. remember you yourself also are causing humidity through breathing. i would say you either have isolated your van too much in the sense that your van does not properly ventilate and you need to improve your ventilation. that can go two ways, btw. either humid air is coming in through the ventilation channels of the car itself, or you simply have a failing ventilation system or not adequate ventilation.
on top of that, insufficient heating. the heating aspect can be resolved as much by replacing your mini stove with a mini pellet stove with a 30lbs pellet feeder. pellets are relatively cheap and if you find the balance, you can keep your stove on as long as possible, but especially needed during the night.
you also sweat, and that adds humidity, and that needs to go. you need to calculate what is best: a diesel heater or the stove, financially wise. i am inclined to believe the stove would be the better option, and creates a far more enjoyable or 'bearable' sound than the diesel heater.
if you have your stove on, during the night, (make sure you install a carbon monoxide meter), and during the day for that matter, it will keep heating the space and subsequentially, dry, but, you still need to ventilate. now here comes the trick :
you might think that you just heat up the space, close as much and put as little ventilation as possible to 'capture' the heat, but that's a mistake. you will not only put yourself in a situation where you endanger yourself from oxygen depletion, but you will trap humidity.
instead, you would prefer to have your stove on, get it to heat up the space pretty well, and then ventilate. yes, heat will escape. but, the humidity will too. best you can do is install a curtain or 'slide' that can seal off the cabin of your car's front area, and ever so slightly keep a window open (perhaps add wind deflectors). that will ventilate that area ( and cool it down, true ) and reduce humidity. Then, run your stove on good heat, and put on the fan or make sure that the ventilation in the roof or a window is ever so slightly open, the further in the back of the car the better to produce flow, and you will heat-ventilate your van.
as an extra de-humidifying measurement, as others pointed out, hang a pair of socks here and there and fill them with kitty litter. there are also moist absorbtion 'mats' that you can simply press out outside, but the level of moisture in your van is too high for comfort and has a technical source.
i know this is like 3 years later on now. but i had to comment this.
Not always possible I know but external window covers stop condensation on the screen totally
I’m definitely going to look into getting some 👍🎄👍
That's not a condensation cough sounds more like Covid 😁
Don’t say that 👍
There used to be a squeegee/scraper that collected condensation, similar to the vacuum devise but without the need for electricity. It worked really well but haven't seen one for years. I guess nearly everything is electric these days.
How about using a heat exchanger from a condensing tumble dryer? That way you you can just run a small fan to pull in colder dryer air and vent out your warm damp air. The heat exchanger will improve efficiency and warm up the incoming air. If your van has deep sills you can pull air in through them as they are well vented at the base. The rest is ducting. Why waste power keeping a small plate cold in a dehumidifier - the whole of the outdoors is colder than that! Use the fan to remove air from around a composting toilet, and you can duct the fresh air around the heater flue or into the cabin heater. You may just be able to use the heater fan but depends on how well your van is sealed.
Moldly entertainment..😁pip pips
Haha love it thank you 👍🤓👍😂
People also use all sorts of glues and other chemicals, sprayed without any thoughts about how they effect our healthy while they absord to the air we breath in our vans
My wife had a water leak into her car, i removed all the moisture with a great mains driven dehumidifyer unit, after that i have trays of Cat litter, not a single indication of moisture on her cars windows even now at -5C I tried it in my car works fantastic,
Do you leave your top hatch open at all per night?
Yes I do 👍
Good ventilation is a must - all that water vapour in your breath has got to go somewhere.
I fitted a low profile Flettner roof ventilator that extracts air in the slightest breeze and doesn't require any power. It vents even when there is no breeze .
With that and keeping the van heating on tickover , the side windows opened a few millimetres, all should be well.
It also pays to cover windows internally , not only from a condensation point of view, but for added insulation.
Ohh you’re absolutely rite I had one of them vents in my Ford transit mate thank you I’ll be looking into getting one 👍🎄👍
Judging by the amount of condensation on your windows its not workin that well...
It’s worse without it 👍🎄👍🍻
ive bought a few of those moisture traps from the poundshop ...they work really well..just hang them up around your van
Mel! ....... Controlling 'Authenticity' is probably what's made you successful (so far) ......... Joining all those other Fake #TH-camrs who 'pretend' to Wake-Up to the camera ?? ..... Noooooo!! ...... AARRGGHH!!!!!!! ............ Don't do it Mel ............ Pleeeeeeease :-) .........
Of course, the cheapest and easiest way to control Condensation on windows without the old Mechanicals is a clean rag with a dab of Fairy on it. Wipe over your windows inside and they stay clear all night ..... Roger & Out :-)
Hi ya don’t worry it was just a bit of fun I’ll not do it again I promise merry Christmas buddy 👍🎄👍
bin both products as the solution to condensation is already fitted to your van used while driving....
its called the heater and you set it to take fresh warm air in to stop you re windows steaming....
how obvious is it to fit a 2kw diesel heater taking in fresh air and warming it creating positive pressure eliminating drafts just as the car heater does ......
do it , stay warm, and damp free and most of all stay well and tell john his solutions are as naff as his lifepo4 tragedy lol
Hi Mel, is the Karcher vac chargeable with USB? Thanks bud
Use coloidal silver for lungs.
Thank you I’ll have to google that 👍😊👍
My unit like that one I had to return … if it was working, you would have no condensation. I bought a large unit and it got rid of all of it..
3+ minutes in, still blah blah blah
Now you’re just flirting with me 😂🤣😂👍
Sure you not suffering from long covid, it's been around before last Christmas.
I tried a dehumidifier in my caravan. But pulled a couple of litres a day. Ended up too much trouble.
I did use the disposable/refillable silica powder types in cupboards.
I made for my motor van some polystyrene sheets covered with sticky backed plastic outside and carpet liner inside. They fit tight to surface of flat windows. That hoover is good, never seen those before.
My caravan windows would stream with condensation.
The healthiest i have been was living in caravan. Never caught a cold for two years.
The fact is the windows are acting AS a de humidifier. All a dehumidifier does is provide a cool or cold surface with a fan blowing the moist air over it.
Maybe u have COVID pal
I don’t think so 👍😷👍
You need a fresh air exchanger
I do ?
1.7 degrees is the dew point where condensation forms, the trick is to keep all surfaces in the van at a temperature above 2 degrees then physics simply will not allow condensation to form so after a lot of playing around the following steps work for me, i set my truma to 15 degrees Celsius, I keep the max fan on at 10% sucking air out and crack my passenger side window about 5 to 10mm, I run my wall mounted fan at the back of my van on it’s lowest setting to circulate the air and I have to say I have zero condensation issues when I wake up. I don’t have a dehumidifier either.
Well done 👍
Sorry mate but your wrong about the dew point temperature, dew point can be reached at any temperature, its a combination of air temperature and pressure, unless you give correct advice its better to give none!
@@EnglishHobbyMachinist don’t talk shit mate 😂
@@aberdeendeltaforce you may think is's shit but its correct unlike your version. Dew point temperature is defined as the temperature to which the air would have to cool (at constant pressure and constant water vapor content) in order to reach saturation. A state of saturation exists when the air is holding the maximum amount of water vapor possible at the existing temperature and pressure.
I love how intelligent your followers are, so many great explanations here in the comment section. I didn’t think for one minute that you literally meant that glass works the way with water the same way honey works with Winnie The Pooh lol, it’s not a science video, it’s a van life hack video. My friend started out putting Kitty litter in a couple of tube socks, and lays them on the dash board near the wind screen. It really helped absorb the moisture. He was living in his car, so a much smaller space, but he went on to make a few more, put them in his rear window, and he also put rock salt in a couple of used food containers that could slide under his front seats, and each morning they would have water in them, he’d just open the door snd drain them out, and put them back. So if one is on a budget, these tips might help in the mean time.
I got a Karcher window vac last month......didn’t even know they existed until I spoke to a guy (weirdly also called John)! It’s changed my life! Can’t believe I’ve had my van for so many years not knowing they existed. Glad you found it too xx
Thank you they are definitely a game changer and my windows have never been so clean 👍😂👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld I know!! Thought it was a bit overpriced at first and was going to go for a cheaper one...glad I got the Karcher though, quality product! Haven’t used it to clean my windows yet but wow what a difference it makes to spending time in my van? I’m currently working at the hospital in Shetland over lockdown, thought I’d escape, bring my campervan up here for an adventure. Just love it here and would of been lost without the van. Enjoy your adventure Mel, thanks for replying. Xxx
They are a little pricey for sure I’m with you on that when I say windows I mean my windscreen I don’t seam to get that white over when the sun is low in the sky anymore especially in winter I bet it’s beautiful up there how wonderful for you hope you’re staying safe And it’s not to cold 👍
Why not just start your engine and put the defroster on ? That removes moisture in the air . Your problem is the moisture source, which is probably you so you need to ventilate better and also dry heat your space preferably throughout the night. Also you need good insulating window covers. Cheers !
Hi - I need help please. Could someone explain (I am thick) how the dehumidifier is working with the powerbank? I am trying to replicate this but don't understand electrics. My dehumidifier says on the sticker "INPUT DC 9V / 2.5 A" - what specs do I need to look for on a PowerBank to be SURE it will work and not break the item nor the battery? I don't understand AC/DC and which one I need :( thanks
USB is 5v 2.4 amps
Cat litter in old socks
Nice 👍
I don't think condensation is attracted to the glass, I think its caused by warm air meeting the cold surface of the glass - which then forms small water droplets - you can also get it on bare metal in the van too. You could make yourself some Reflectix (or other - see Eat Sleep Van NZ) window covers to prevent a lot of it, both in the cab and the back of the van. I've made these for mine using magnets to hold them up - with an air gap at the back of them, so they are not touching the cold glass. Plus I have insulated curtains too - the two layers of fabric work much better than a single layer with the thermal fuzzy stuff on one side. You are also better with curtains that cover the window without gaps - like Greg Virgoes (Vanex?) ones, or the ones that are inbuilt like Gadget John has on his van- you could add some velcro or magnets to solve this issue rather than changing curtains. I'm speaking from personal experience of caravanning in Scotland as a child and living in a freezing cold draughty wooden house where the roller blinds were more effective then the curtains! Plus even in a warm house with double glazed windows, we got massive condensation issues in winter when it got below 10 overnight and we'd had the heating on - solved this by making thermal curtain linings - problem gone 😁🚐🗺❄
Thank you it’s definitely work in progress iv ordered some window covers 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Good to hear, you need to keep the van warm enough at night so you aren't breathing in cold air - even if you are toastie in bed. I had a chest infection back in 2013, have some permanent upper respiratory damage from it - have to have a preventer inhaler through the winter - which is way milder here than in the UK - and can't go outside if its below 10 as the cold air really affects it. Stay Warm!! 👍😊👍
@@linz_in_NZ thank you and you too 👍😊👍
I use two “Ivation” small dehumidifiers in my small home. They look like yours. One in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. They are terrific! Also monitor the humidity with a little battery powered reader about the size of a matchbook ☺️
That’s a really good idea to get a sensor I’ll have to have a look for one 👍🍻
Amazon Harbor thermometer two pack is what I use. They are small. Temp and humidity. They are not always exactly the same reading, even when next to each other but close enough.
Thank you ☺️
Clearly it doesn't work in his case otherwise he would be getting condensation on windows. One can't cheat laws of physics, though. Condensing water takes a lot of energy, as much as boiling away.
Hide a Saucepan of Salt in your Van. change the Salt once a month. 😉😍
Thank you I’m off to the shop now 👍🎄👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld leave a link in description and people can buy the Salt straight from Amazon. You get a little Kick back brother 27p a Kilo
Vapour will condense against any surface area colder than itself not just glass.
Get some plants bro
Funny thing is the was looking at some yesterday 👍🤓👍
Yep on our second one now.. 4 years of use.. Of course an outside thermal cheap window cover and never any condensation on the windows.
We got a cheap silver screen from Aldi it is for a car but fits almost over front hold it with the wipers and it does help a lot and we got one of those window vacs , Doesn't stop my hair from getting frizzy when i wake up though lol i may wear a hat :) Merry Christmas Mel and best wishes for 2021
That’s brilliant 👍🎄👍
Yoiu can buy the small head for the Vac on amazon ...
www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=K%C3%A4rcher+Window+Vac+small&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
But sounds like you should try leaving a dry heat source on overnight with ventilation .... and comparing what happens to you current situation.
Thank you
Thanks for the advice for using window vac - nice one. I use mine after a shower on the ceiling, walls and floor. Happy Safe New Year to ONE AND ALL.
Thank you that’s a great idea 👍🎄👍🍻
@@BigVanSmallWorld Window vac is probable good on getting some / alot of water out wetsuites .
Lots of condensation!! Maybe you need two dehumidifiers...😟😟😟
Next winter with any luck I’ll be driving south 👍😊👍😅
A quick Google search says that we exhale around half a pint of vapour per night, so your machine isn't catching very much. A small heat exchanger would do ha much better job, assuming the outside air is dry?
Interesting thank you 😊
Morning Mel, I’ve just watched your video about the condensation. And as you know I have a professionally shop bought van. When I changed my wall coverings I noticed that my van was insulated but with no vapour barrier, I have plastic double glazed side and rear window and the only condensation I get is about 45 inches up my windscreen I have the concertina blinds and I don’t get hardly any condensation. So I conclude that using a vapour barrier doesn’t really work as the air cannot circulate. I’ve built my previous van myself with a vapour barrier and got condensation much like yourself. I have one of those Karcher window vacuums and are use mine for drying my van off after I’ve washed it we live in a hard water area and it stops streaking, another fine well put together video. Merry Christmas and stay safe🚐☕️☕️👍🏼🏴🌈🙏🏼💙❤️💙❤️
It’s ment to say 4 to 5 inches up my front window 🚐☕️☕️👍🏼🏴🌈🙏🏼💙❤️💙❤️
Merry Christmas buddy thank you for all the positive feedback 👍😊👍
Wrong conclusion. Preventing condensation on windows isn't goal of vapor barrier on the walls. In fact you get condensation because of no vapor barrier on glass, which would defeat the purpose of having window in the first place.