Community Forums

hwyd · 11-07-2010, 07:20 PM

I have a 29' 2001 Fleetwood Jamboree that my wife, daughter and I full time in. We have tried a lot of things, including the dehumidifiers and such, as well as leaving the overhead vents open and windows cracked open a bit. But we still get a good build up of condensation on the windows that drip down the walls to the floor, as well as the pillows and bedding. This primarily happens with the windows in the back bedroom, the overcab bedroom and the drivers cab windows. Any other recomendations or suggestions anyone may have, are welcome.

Thanks,
Daniel

nbounder · 11-08-2010, 08:03 PM

Back in the days when I spent more time reading than fixing, I read the Fleetwood manual that came with the coach. It said not to live even semi-permanently in the coach because if you did, you'd get 'zactly what you're getting. And its caused by body oil evaporation, or something like that. This is what happens when you exhale onto a piece of glass. My suggestion would to 'air it out' for a week or so to get rid of all the humidity, then keep some windows open at all times in the sleeping areas, like you do now, but AFTER getting the rig 'cleansed' of all the humid stale air you have now. PS: check the manual, see what they say.

hwyd · 11-09-2010, 03:30 PM

Thank you for the heads up. Unfortunately our rv didn't come with the manual when we bought it used. But I found out today that I can possibly order one from Fleetwood, so I am going to try and contact them this week.

Thanks,
Daniel/Vick

TXiceman · 11-09-2010, 06:07 PM

The human body expels moisture in every breath and through the skin by evaporation....nothing to do with oil.

You need to make every effort to minimize moisture in the RV by venting when cooking, showering, wipe down the shower, leave a vent (about 1/4 to 1/2") open in the sleeping area.

Ken

nbounder · 11-09-2010, 07:39 PM

Hey iceman - as a proud Italian I can assure you that body oils are secreted from every orifice. In teenagers in particular. I bet they don't evaporate, though!
(yuk yuk)

hwyd · 11-10-2010, 04:19 PM

Very good information. I will make sure to get everyone to start wiping things down after showers and all. Cooking, we always have the fan running, and 1 to 2 windows open, depending on outside temps. Thank you to everyone for your comments and suggestions. You have all been very helpful in helping me figure out some solutions.

Daniel/Vick

bob109 · 11-10-2010, 06:57 PM

Your problem could be cured with a small 20 pint dehumidifier! They are available from most major appliance stores as well as Wal Mart, Sears, Home Depot etc.
Designed specifically for removing moisture they do the trick and simply have to have the collection bucket emptied 1 or 2 times daily depending on the humidity level.
As has been mentioned, the breath you and your family exhaust adds considerable moisture to the interior of your unit, probably adding more moisture than cooking and showers.

MrMudstud · 11-14-2010, 08:38 PM

When ever you are using the shower, run the vent in the bathroom and open the vent in the kitchen. I run the vents open for 30 minutes after showering and wipe the shower down with the wash cloth before getting out of the shower. DO NOT use the drying towel to wipe down the shower. All you are doing is adding moisture to the towel and then letting it dry in the RV, and still the moisture is in the RV. The idea is to remove the moisture. Fresh air, fresh air, fresh air and more fresh air. Need I say more............

FreshAir · 11-14-2010, 11:09 PM

When using propane for heat your stuck with moister, especially if using a catalic heater. Propane is about 90+ water.

TXiceman · 11-15-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

When using propane for heat your stuck with moisture, especially if using a catalytic heater. Propane is about 90+ water.

This is a common misconception. All of the RV furnaces draw air from outside into the combustion chamber and exhaust the combusted exhaust back outside. The inside air is drawn over the hot chamber to heat the air. There is no contact with the combustion process.

Propane does not contain water. In the combustion process, you get some water vapor forming along with the other combustion gases such as CO (if there is incomplete combustion) and CO2.

With a catalytic heater you will get some moisture generated within the space. The exact byproducts depend on the catalyst used.

Propane is C3H8 or 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms.

The combustion process is:

Lakeman1 · 12-04-2010, 08:24 AM

Use a squeeze in the shower, get the water out of the MH. Use a dehumidifier. If you have a dryer dry the towels or hang them outside if you can.

hwyd · 12-04-2010, 03:16 PM

Thank you everyone. Well, I will continue with the windows/vents being open, like usual. Picked up a squeegee for the shower walls and also picked up a 12 volt and a 120 volt dehumidifier to use depending on whether we have hook ups or not. So far, so good. It has helped a lot. Thanks again every one.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-05-2010, 03:56 PM

3 people breathing and maybe the stove burning in a small volume of space are going to generate a lot of water vapor in the air. Add in vapor from showers and sink usage and you get a lot of condensation. Ventialtion (including fans) or a dehumidifier is the only solution.