Community Forums

tekrsq · 11-07-2011, 04:50 PM

During winter storage, is it better to put a dehumidifier in the coach or a small electric heater ?

Ed S · 11-07-2011, 05:00 PM

Good question. I am in WI and store mine in a storage building, never had done either in mine...nover found a need to nore did I want anything pluged in other than the battery minders to keep batteries charged.

MrIguana · 11-07-2011, 05:40 PM

The instructions for my dehumidifier say it won't work if the ambient temperature is less than 70 degrees.

Spikester · 11-07-2011, 06:02 PM

I have used 2 electrically dehumidifiers in our motorhomes for years, never have had any problems, and feel that it is a must in the damp, humid Pacific NW winter climate. The dehumidiriers I use are designed for use in a marine envirnoment so feel they are pretty safe, also they have a very low current draw. They have served me well and keep the humidity down below 30% in our MH when in use. Whether a dehumidifer is needed depends on you individual circumstance and preference.

This is a link to what I have used Air-Dryr 500 for years.

Spike

**NLOVNIT** · 11-07-2011, 08:21 PM

Depends on how close it is to you while in storage. If I couldn't check on it daily, I wouldn't want anything that's plugged in running in the coach. If it's next to your home, you could do either. Although I wouldn't want to have to go out to check to see if a water reservior is full when I'd have to shovel a path to the door to check it.

We store our coach under an RV port an hour away from us. The only thing I've done is buy a large bag of charcoal briquettes (the cheap ones, not Kingsford) & divide it up between 2 medium & 1 small plastic storage tub. The small tub goes in the bathroom, 1 medium sits on the bed & the other sits on the kitchen counter - no lids on the tubs. Never had an issue with moisture in the coach while stored over winter.

Lori-

tekrsq · 11-08-2011, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Depends on how close it is to you while in storage. If I couldn't check on it daily, I wouldn't want anything that's plugged in running in the coach. If it's next to your home, you could do either. Although I wouldn't want to have to go out to check to see if a water reservior is full when I'd have to shovel a path to the door to check it.

We store our coach under an RV port an hour away from us. The only thing I've done is buy a large bag of charcoal briquettes (the cheap ones, not Kingsford) & divide it up between 2 medium & 1 small plastic storage tub. The small tub goes in the bathroom, 1 medium sits on the bed & the other sits on the kitchen counter - no lids on the tubs. Never had an issue with moisture in the coach while stored over winter.

Lori-

Our rig is stored in the back yard, so that's not too bad. Wouldn't the water in the catch pan freeze ??

I've never heard of using charcoal. How does that work ?

johnandcaren · 11-08-2011, 02:57 PM

Well I've only been thru 3 winters with our unit so I'm not an expert, but:

Would never leave an electric heater plugged in for that long. Just a precaution against an electrical fire. A large number of winter home fires start from electric heaters.

We put dessicant moisture traps in ours each winter, however, as we check it each month (its in a storage unit - not at home) they are never really used. For unknown reasons our unit remains pretty dry. So be sure its even a necessary requirement.

The charcoal is interesting. Never heard of that.

In Maryland. Winters have rain, snow, and probably 10 to 40 degrees mostly.

**NLOVNIT** · 11-08-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekrsq

Our rig is stored in the back yard, so that's not too bad. Wouldn't the water in the catch pan freeze ??

Yes, I think it would. You'd have to be checking it constantly during the winter or turn it off in below freezing weather. You might also have to check a manual for operating temps. MrIguana brought up a good point about them not operating below a certain ambient temp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekrsq

I've never heard of using charcoal. How does that work ?

Just the same as any gel dessicant but cheaper. The charcoal absorbs moisture/odors in the air. I'm no scientist, so I don't know how it does it, but it seems to work for us.

L-