Van condensation

[avabanana]

Hi guys, 

 

This winter has seen our van practically raining inside over all the tools. 

 

I am looking into preventing this from happening and looking for opinions on the cheapest most effective methods. I really only need to do the roof to stop droplets dropping down into opening boxes and electrical items on shelves etc. 

 

Ta

[Russell griffiths]

I would go with 100mm rockwool and then battens and plasterboard 

how tall are you?

[SteamyTea]

Can you plug in a small, cheap, dehumidifier every evening?

 

[PeterW]

How old is the van ..? Cheapest and quickest way (which is permanent so not suitable for leased vans..!) is to buy some of the yoga or camping mats and cut them to shape then glue to the roof panels with contact adhesive. Best to try and get the fire retardent ones but that will stop condensation forming. 
 

also be aware it may be due to high humidity in the van due to a leak letting rainwater in, or even a heater matrix leak which is increasing the humidity causing condensation. 

[SteamyTea]

2 minutes ago, PeterW said:

even a heater matrix leak which is increasing the humidity causing condensation

Had that once, took ages to work out what it was.

[Nick1c]

I put a solar powered fan in the roof of my van. Obviously no good at night, but helps keep moisture levels down. 
Are you sure you have no leaks?

[nod]

52 minutes ago, avabanana said:

Hi guys, 

 

This winter has seen our van practically raining inside over all the tools. 

 

I am looking into preventing this from happening and looking for opinions on the cheapest most effective methods. I really only need to do the roof to stop droplets dropping down into opening boxes and electrical items on shelves etc. 

If you add a Fletner air circulator It will cure the problem overnight 

£72 on eBay 

 

[joe90]

Funny but when  I bought a shipping container for tools and building stuff I always had plans to insulate the roof but never required it, not a drop of condensation, could not believe it, no idea why?

[scottishjohn]

thin stick on polystyrene  wallpaper ?

 

[ProDave]

A joiner I was working for recently fitted a small diesel heater to heat his van, not sure if it was an Eberspacher or which make, but often used as cab heaters and boat heaters.

[dpmiller]

^ chinese clones of those are outstandlingly good value.

[scottishjohn]

a heater will only work when its on - stopping the cold surface from getting condensation ,by insulating it is a better idea +cheaper--unless your going to run the heater 24/7 in winter

 why do think you car does not get wet oninside of roof ?

 cos of the headlining 

[avabanana]

Thank you all for your input. 

 

Frankly struggling at the moment to stay on job schedule with inundated tool/ machine/ vehicle/ staff problems. Prolly gonna wait out this winter and sort the problem during the summer.

[Dave Jones]

On 07/02/2021 at 11:12, joe90 said:

Funny but when  I bought a shipping container for tools and building stuff I always had plans to insulate the roof but never required it, not a drop of condensation, could not believe it, no idea why?

 

no heat inside  it ?

[joe90]

1 hour ago, Dave Jones said:

 

no heat inside  it ?

Nope, frankly I don’t understand, but then again it’s in good Nick and the door seals are in good condition.

[Big Jimbo]

Only guessing, but my vans over the years have been fine when new. A bit of condensation at about 5 years old. By 10 years i'm scraping ice off the inside of the windscreen. My thoughts are the door rubbers go flat, and perhaps start to rot out a bit. That lets the moist air in.

[SteamyTea]

I have noticed that if I use the A/C in the car, during certain times of the year, after it has been parked up for a while, mist is on the screen.  Usually happens in the summer after I have been at work for a few hours in the evening.

10 hours ago, joe90 said:

I don’t understand

It is because it is at the same temperature and humidity as the ambient air and there is no liquid water in it to evaporate.

Edited February 11, 2021 by SteamyTea

[Dave Jones]

10 hours ago, joe90 said:

Nope, frankly I don’t understand, but then again it’s in good Nick and the door seals are in good condition.

no heat = no condensation.

 

 

[scottishjohn]

14 hours ago, Dave Jones said:

Funny but when  I bought a shipping container for tools and building stuff I always had plans to insulate the roof but never required it, not a drop of condensation, could not believe it, no idea why?

plenty of drafts - same temp inside as out- so no condensation