Winter van heating

The laird

The laird

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Does anyone use ehu for heating when van is parked up in winter months on the driveway?
 
I have just dropped in a 400W Oil Rad in the van for when/if I want to heat it.
Given the price of electric elements for a Truma, using a standalone heater instead to reduce the Truma use seems a good precaution.
 
I just stick the dehumidifier in ....as long as its the rotary dessicant type they work well at keeping things dry (and more efficient than trying to warm the moho up as happens with compressor types)
 
mistericeman said:
Nope

BUT you can reduce humidity levels to a less damaging point .
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Not really as more air enters with water in it so back to the start again, unless of course you keep the heat on 24/7, letting it cool makes it worse as the air/water content condenses on cold surfaces, back to the start again. :(
 
trevskoda said:
Not really as more air enters with water in it so back to the start again, unless of course you keep the heat on 24/7, letting it cool makes it worse as the air/water content condenses on cold surfaces, back to the start again. :(
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I'd agree with that IF you were sat with all the windows and roof vent open .

However in normal circumstances it's perfectly possible to reduce the humidity levels to a point where it doesn't condense on cold surfaces .
Using a rotary dessicant humidifier is also far more efficient than trying to heat the air up .

If you have a heat source to create circulation then part of that process is cool damp air will enter to take the place of the warm damp air that has convected out .
 
mistericeman said:
I'd agree with that IF you were sat with all the windows and roof vent open .

However in normal circumstances it's perfectly possible to reduce the humidity levels to a point where it doesn't condense on cold surfaces .
Using a rotary dessicant humidifier is also far more efficient than trying to heat the air up .

If you have a heat source to create circulation then part of that process is cool damp air will enter to take the place of the warm damp air that has convected out .
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And the air you suck water out of with a condensing unit will fill the van again unless you keep it in a vacuum, dont mater what you close the air comes in through heater ducts and small gaps on the under side of the f doors, best thing is move to spain lol.
 
trevskoda said:
And the air you suck water out of with a condensing unit will fill the van again unless you keep it in a vacuum, dont mater what you close the air comes in through heater ducts and small gaps on the under side of the f doors, best thing is move to spain lol.
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OK you win Trev .....

I only work day in and day out in aircon and ventilation humidity and temp control.
 
It does use some electricity but only when it’s really cold but I use a fan heater plugged into a thermostatic plug which I set to 6.5 to 8.5 degrees. I monitor this with a sensor linked to a weather station in the house. Not only does this remove the worry of frozen pipes and taps but it also keeps the humidity below 60%.
 
Jan Feb March I remove as much fabric as I can , beds seats cushions clothes etc .open up doors on a good dry days
 
mistericeman said:
OK you win Trev .....

I only work day in and day out in aircon and ventilation humidity and temp control.
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Im not trying to win anything, just pointing out a fact, what folk wish to do is up to them.
What I am saying is if you warm something water condenses when it cools, you of all should know this, best i keep qt and go to bed, night night.
 
A word of warning, 2 years ago when energy was less expensive, I kept a low level of heating on, in my van, the local mice took advantage of my generosity and set up home !
Resulting in a chewed through Truma control cable, (and that's the only wiring that I have identified so far!)
Plus stored food stuff, pasta, cereal, biscuits, chocolate and various food packets !
Little Nipper took out 8 before the Great Spring migration!
 
This was a topic on Motorhomefacts last year, and most years to be honest, Most don't bother for various reasons, warm air rises and drags cold air in from under the van via the gas drop out vents of which there will be at least two maybe more on some vans, the warmed air will find its way out of the heki and other roof lights, it will land on cold surfaces and condense.

All we have ever done is go around the van when we decide we're not going away for a while in winter is to wipe all the surfaces with antibac and dry them, open all the blinds so the spring motors are not stretched, turn all cushions onto the edges and move them away from the van walls, open all the lockers and drawers so air can circulate and leave it, never had a problem even in vans which were a bit on the damp side.
 
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MykCamper said:
A word of warning, 2 years ago when energy was less expensive, I kept a low level of heating on, in my van, the local mice took advantage of my generosity and set up home !
Resulting in a chewed through Truma control cable, (and that's the only wiring that I have identified so far!)
Plus stored food stuff, pasta, cereal, biscuits, chocolate and various food packets !
Little Nipper took out 8 before the Great Spring migration!
Click to expand...
Don’t know if it does any good, but I have an ultrasonic pest repeller plugged in in my van.
 
MykCamper said:
A word of warning, 2 years ago when energy was less expensive, I kept a low level of heating on, in my van, the local mice took advantage of my generosity and set up home !
Resulting in a chewed through Truma control cable, (and that's the only wiring that I have identified so far!)
Plus stored food stuff, pasta, cereal, biscuits, chocolate and various food packets !
Little Nipper took out 8 before the Great Spring migration!
Click to expand...
We had the little buggers invade the kitchen in the Flat, entering the Garden from an overgrown bank adjoining the rear lane, By the time we traced the entrance point, the killing tally exceeded 40 [43 IIRC] including some that had made it into the Lounge and into the underside of the upstairs Flat staircase! And then the rats arrived in the garden from the same bank ... Quite impressive to see how far the trap flies with a rat suspended in the jaws!

Steve
 
Lots of we squeeky fellers came into next doors home, he then came round to complain to me as if it were my fault, then when i pointed out the big gap where his kitchen waste pipe came out the wall he went QT, we have a cat and no right thinking furry feller would come in here.
 
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