Condensation question

vcrt · 12-08-2008, 07:53 PM

I remember hearing that the gas furnace causes moisture which results in condensation forming on all cold surfaces like window glass and the inner surfaces of the aluminum siding (which means wet insulation). Can anyone tell me if a portable electric heater would cause less condensation?
Thanks,
Rich

**JohnB** · 12-08-2008, 08:24 PM

Rich

The statement LP gas heater creating moisture may be a generic statement. Yes, if a LP heater with flame vents directly in the room, then I can see this. However the Attwood Hydroflame furnace in our TT’s uses radiant heat inside the camper. The flame heats up a metal chamber, the flame then exhausts directly outside, the heat by way of a blower blows the heat over the chamber and then blows it inside the camper. I may be wrong, but I can’t see how the Hydroflame by it self would create moisture inside the camper. If someone can explain how, it would help as the way I’m seeing it, it does not.

Electric heat would be the same as radiant heat from the Hyrdoflame furnace if I have the above statement correct.

The biggest source of moisture I have found inside is us. Meaning the merry campers themselves. That is not baring some cooking or steam from the cooking/washing/showering.

If I do not vent the camper well, trapped condensation will come. On the windows, unless you cover them some how, they will sweat. The cold out side, hot inside it will condense on the glass. I use the clear shrink wrap plastic to keep the windows in check and then vent well at night while sleeping and the moisture problem stays in check. Vent well means the roof vent a full 1 inch open on the non hinged side, or a side window by the sink etc cracked a good 3/8” open. Yes heat will go out the hole, but so will the moisture that is inside the TT just dying to get out.

I’m not a physics major and may have a few things mixed up, but that was what I have found out.

Hope this helps

John

WandaLust · 12-09-2008, 12:04 AM

even without a condensation problem we like to keep a window cracked for air exchange. It's healther for us and helps keeps excess moisture from collecting on cold surfaces.

vcrt · 12-09-2008, 07:04 PM

OK, that makes sense to me, it's all that hot air from the occupants!

I'm not sure how many more times we'll use the camper in the cold (winter-not likely, early spring-maybe) so I probably won't do the plastic on the window thing now, but for next end of season, I'll probably do it.
Thanks,
Rich

Honda03842 · 12-10-2008, 09:27 AM

Do any trailers haved thermopane windows? Our Bounder does except for the front window and it really makes a difference.

Norm Milliard

**Tweety** · 12-10-2008, 01:55 PM

I don't know if that was a Sunline option or not. But, it is/was an option on BigFoot and Arctic Fox. I put is/was because I've heardsome not so happy rumors about both of those companies.

Honda03842 · 12-10-2008, 03:32 PM

Our Thermo pane windows are 11 years old. A couple have leaked after almost 100,000 miles. By leaking I mea moisture has gotten between the two pieces of glass. Though it doesn't stop their ability to eliminate condensation.

I would say they work great, particularly in terms of eliminating condensation build up.

Norm Milliard

**JohnB** · 12-12-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

I don't know if that was a Sunline option or not. But, it is/was an option on BigFoot and Arctic Fox. I put is/was because I've heardsome not so happy rumors about both of those companies.

Pam

The T panes may have been a special request thing. Carl Kern's super special camper had them. http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...ighlight=#7972

OK what are the rumors on Artic Fox?

**Tweety** · 12-13-2008, 05:36 AM

At one poiint I read on rv.net that Northwood Mfg. (Nash & Artic Fox) had shut down their west coast plant for the winter. Naturally, since they already permenantly closed the Virginia facility, this caused speculation as to whether they would ever reopen for production.

**JohnB** · 12-13-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

At one poiint I read on rv.net that Northwood Mfg. (Nash & Artic Fox) had shut down their west coast plant for the winter. Naturally, since they already permenantly closed the Virginia facility, this caused speculation as to whether they would ever reopen for production.

Oh boy, hope not another one going down. There are very few good quality TT builders left.

Find the Sunline you really want, hang onto it, and rebuild when the time comes.

Thanks

**Sunline Fan** · 12-13-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

At one poiint I read on rv.net that Northwood Mfg. (Nash & Artic Fox) had shut down their west coast plant for the winter. Naturally, since they already permenantly closed the Virginia facility, this caused speculation as to whether they would ever reopen for production.

I saw that too:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...pging/1/page/1

but...

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...g/22027152.cfm

Jon

redhorse · 12-31-2008, 09:28 PM

I also found out about the condensate thing while cold weather camping myself of course the hard way.

.But found out the same way to open the vent in the bathroom about a 1" and the side upper window out about 1/2" worked just fine the next night. and man was it cold that night out side it was like 28 deg. But that little heater really works better than the one in my house lol. We were like toast in the toaster

Love that little T1700