Community Forums

RedneckExpress · 10-10-2008, 07:52 AM

Hey all, with the PNW weather returning to its normal state of soggy and cold and me full-timing in the camper, I'm strongly considering getting a small dehumidifier to keep the moisture down inside.

It would need to be a unit with a tank on it and somewhat compact.

Any suggestions?

Does anyone have any experience with this unit?

Eva-Dry 500 High Capacity Dehumidifier.

There's also this unit:

va-Dry Petite Dehumidifier with Whisper Technology

RedneckExpress · 10-10-2008, 07:52 AM

Hey all, with the PNW weather returning to its normal state of soggy and cold and me full-timing in the camper, I'm strongly considering getting a small dehumidifier to keep the moisture down inside.

It would need to be a unit with a tank on it and somewhat compact.

Any suggestions?

Does anyone have any experience with this unit?

Eva-Dry 500 High Capacity Dehumidifier.

There's also this unit:

va-Dry Petite Dehumidifier with Whisper Technology

Dwain · 10-10-2008, 10:01 AM

I have had some experience with a Dri-Z-Air unit, which is a basket mounted above a 2-cup (?)bowl. All one unit which small pellets are loaded into the basket that draws in the moisture which collects in the bowl. Seems to me the unit is about $10 at stores such as Wal Mart, pellets are couple of bucks. You will need to periodically dump out the water and reload new pellets.
I am using at home, in our crawlspace, a marine unit. This one is about 12" in diameter, 3 or so inches tall and electric. Has no collection device but creates heat to remove the moisture. That one came from a small marine supply store in Tacoma, but are available at stores like West Marine. Think it was more along the lines of $50. Requires really no maintance, and either works or else my really good imagination leads me to believe so.

RedneckExpress · 10-10-2008, 10:18 AM

I thought about the pellets, but they're not really spill proof. Since the thing is going to be sitting right next to or above my bed, I'd rather no spill the slimy mess that comes out a normal storage moisture absorber.

SSteve · 10-10-2008, 11:29 AM

Dwain,

Can you share the name of the marine unit you are using at home?

Thanks,
Steve

Spikester · 10-10-2008, 07:47 PM

Here is a link to what you are looking for, I use something like these:

Portable Air Dryers

Spike

porscheracer · 10-11-2008, 12:44 AM

I'll second my distaste for the pellet style units. Many of them do not use recyclable material and must be refilled with relatively expensive (usually silica gel based) crystals.

The electric plug-in's are usually superior in every way. Of course, hey are essentially a mini-air conditioner without a heat exchanger. All must be emptied occasionally.

When selecting a unit for RV use, remember the typical RV is not as air-tight as the typical residence. You will need to size the unit accordingly.

One "free" option, if you're hooked to shore power, and if you have a heat pump, is to alternatively use heat and A/C. Both will serve to dehumidify the place.

RedneckExpress · 10-13-2008, 07:43 AM

I've tried using the A/C with the heat to draw out moisture, but the only problem I've run into is that I must heat the camper to 70 degrees to get the A/C unit to cycle the compressor on. Anything less and it just runs the fan.

Emptying the unit is not a big concern, the kitchen sink is literally right next to the bed room.

The space I plan to put it in is the 90" wide by 60" deep, with about 3 1/2'
of vertical space floor to ceiling. The opening into this space is about 4' wide by 3' tall.

My plan is to set the unit at the foot of the bed where the most condensation occurs.

Lorna · 10-13-2008, 04:29 PM

I had a couple of the pellet types. They had a nasty tendency of scooting out just far enough to catch my foot as I walked by, and dumping all the "liquid" all over the floor... and me.

West Marine makes a small electric model. Never used one but it seems to me if it's made for boats then an RV can't be prone to too much more moisture.
West Marine Dehumidifier

Spikester · 10-14-2008, 05:24 AM

I have used the Marine Air Dryers in our motorhomes, during the wet season, for the past 20 years, have never had a humidity, mildew, moisture issues. Use 1000 watt dryer in the living area, 500 watt dryer in the bedroom area, they draw little current, and are very safe to leave unattended. Our wet season runs from Oct to June.

Spike

Dwain · 10-14-2008, 12:50 PM

SSteve,

I use one similar (if not identical) to the Davis model that Spikester has a link too, the 100 round model. We leave it running 24 hours a day, and has been on since we bought them. We actually have two of them running, never had a lick of problem getting too hot. Bear in mind they do get warm, so don't leave them near combustables or flammables.

Only thing is, they aren't self sufficient. They need a power source but certainly worth the little bit of juice they use to us.