Just got back from a winter weekend in my 88 Elddis Cyclone. As it was so cold we had a fan heater on nearly all day and a small oil radiator over night. In the evenings I noticed that condensation was forming on the ceiling boards. It was running in straight lines accross the caravan almost were I would imagine roof batterns to be. It was also at the side in side of cuboards etc.
I accept that condenstation forms in a cold cuboard when the rest of the van is warm, but what about on the ceiling boards in the warm?
I have resealed all the awning rails and most of the horizontal rails.
The underside of the cushions was also damp in the morning and the walls behind the upright cushions.
Would this all be normal this time of year or do you think there are possible damp issues?
One more question, I have a rather old Telt Larzen awning with canvas sides and a plastic roof. Loads of condensation had gathered on the underside of the plastic and made the inside of the awning very wet. The plastic looks sound so dont think its leaking - even though it did have 2" of snow on it. Is there a trick of preventing this build up?
Sounds Pretty normal. This time of year you don't just need heat, you need ventilation as well. The condensation will form along the roof battens because they are not insulated, i.e they are connected directly to ceiling boards and to external skin of the caravan.
Yes sounds normal to me.Went to visit our van in storage at the weekend.The roof and wall lining in a freedom is foam and it felt damp to the touch all over the van.I got a bit worried so i put the two hobs on for an hour and shut the door.In about an hour everything seemed dry again until i looked in the cupboards which were really condensing.Ive left all the cupboards open now to dry out.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Quote: Originally posted by Dreadnought on 22/2/2010
I got a bit worried so i put the two hobs on for an hour and shut the door.In about an hour everything seemed dry again until i looked in the cupboards which were really condensing.Ive left all the cupboards open now to dry out.
When you burn LPG it produces CO2 and water vapour - so while the heat helps things dry out, the process also puts more moisture into the atmosphere ... which then condenses on the nearest cold spot (inside your cupboards?), so using LPG to dry out a damp atmosphere isn't advised.
You need a dry heat (such as an electric fan heater) and ventilation. Open a roof light a little to let warm, moist air out.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Thanks for that viggo,hence the wet cupboards. Couldn't use a fan heater as it was in storage but if its like it again I think ill just leave door open for an hour or two
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
You can do that on a warm, dry day with great effect - but I can't remember the last warm, dry day! The use of moisture traps (crystals, salt) helps keep the air dryer, and reduce condensation, too.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 23/2/2010
You can do that on a warm, dry day with great effect - but I can't remember the last warm, dry day! The use of moisture traps (crystals, salt) helps keep the air dryer, and reduce condensation, too.
Me neither come to think of it.Time to get some bowls of saxa in there I think.Trouble Is its 100 miles away.Thanks viggo.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Dreadnought I too have a freedom ,the foam is always cold to the touch in winter .I leave both high level vents and the door vent open all winter to allow fresh air to circulate when its time to use I too air it out with an electric fan heater
Thanks for that rob.1.Tbh i think i may have closed the vents at the end of last season one cold evening.Must go back and do as advised by you and viggo.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: condensation
The use of moisture traps (crystals, salt) helps keep the air dryer, and reduce condensation, too. 
