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We're just finishing our conversion of a LWB Ford Transit Custom with a garage unit in the back to store bikes and wet kit to keep it out of the living/sleeping area, and keep that clean and dry.
We've run a 12v/USB socket into the garage with the intention of using a 12 volt de-humidifier to help dry wet kit out, and also run a pressure washer of it. Anyone got any experience of anything similar?
We've got a diesel heater in the main part of the van. Has anyone run a separate outlet into a garage area?
Any thoughts our suggestions gratefully received.
I can’t imagine a 12v dehumidifier would do anything useful. Slatted vents near top to let air flow and a heater outlet. I’ve modified my Swift Motorhome to have one of the bunks out and out a light frame under the top bunk. It’s now a garage that has a heater and a small vent.
Friends have a merc with a big garage. They have a y valve on their heater output and can divert it into the garage space to dry kit out.
I think they tend to change it last think in the evening and set a timer to run the heater for a set period of time. Heater I think is underslung but valve is internal.
We have a Motorhome. I use a 230V midi dehumidifier during the week in winter if our weekends away are particularly damp, but whilst away from home, the diesel heater and ventilation carry the load. The shower/toilet room has it's own heating outlet, and passive ventilation. Sopping wet ski gear dries to the crunch.
Heater and vent all the way.
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We put a mains one in. Its really good.
I think the ideal solution is to only put wet kit inside temporarily, we've never had a condensation issue doing it this way.
A well ventilated van is key.
Do not make the mistake that so many Instagram van builders make (even some that are being paid for their work)
And that's is hermetically sealing the van because they think it's warmer and also refuse to cut holes in the van.
That way condensation beckons.
We have no issues drying wet kit in the van be it skiing , walking or cycling..... Truma e2400 blown air heating and it fair dries out the air..... I have a humidity meter attached to the wall.
We have through air venting via roof vent at front and rear , side vents cooling the elements behind the fridge and the original vents in the garage from factory.
When I built mine, I put closable vents from the diesel heater into the garage and the toilet/shower area for drying gear, works a treat.
We also put in 2 big fresh air vents behind the fridge which allows the fridge to run cooler but also some air exchange. We also tend to have the roof vents open whenever we’re in the van.
Found a cheap and simple way of keeping the condensation down in our T5. I bought those wind deflectors for the front doors. This means you can leave the window open a bit without rain coming in. Nobody can see it’s open either. Has made quite a difference.
Heating then extracting damp air out works far better for removing moisture from the air than a machine that recirculates it. Less energy efficient though!
Picking where and how the heat comes in and where it's extracted will be key to achieving max drying of damp stuff. Eg heat in low one end. An extra non heated fan could be very useful for max airflow over any wet kit.
Found a cheap and simple way of keeping the condensation down in our T5. I bought those wind deflectors for the front doors. This means you can leave the window open a bit without rain coming in. Nobody can see it’s open either. Has made quite a difference.
Yep, cheap and effective.
A well ventilated camper shouldn't need a dehumidifier. I can hang wet kit in my old ambulance and it's dry overnight.
In the summer the through flow of air via vents is enough on its own. In the winter, the heater draws fresh air from outside, displacing the damp air out via vents.