[[GQC] Tim]

In the last few weeks the condensation in the back of my van is getting out of hand. It seems that every time I have a warm cab, the back of the van is getting a soaking from the drops falling from the ceiling. Never had this problem to this extent because I did not have a bulkhead on my old van.

It seems that because the bulkhead is there, the whole van doesn't get heated up/ventilated enough to overcome the moisture.
Just wondering if anyone has actually blocked the semi rectangular vents on the bulkhead to prevent warm air from the cab entering the loading area.

[Spruce]

I also have a bulkhead but don't suffer with condensation like that.

It can also be very warm in the cab but cold in the back of the van.

I always try to not have any spillage in the van. The brushes are shaken to remove excess water from the bristles and the pole hose is drained down every time the pole is put back into the van.

I take my hose reel in and out of the back of the van. I disconnect and wind up my hose out of the van and put a sealed hozlok hose connector on the end to stop drips. The minibore I use also has female end stops. The port to hose reel hose is alway drained out and put into a large plastic box.

If I notice a bit of condensation forming on the inside of the roof of the van which happens occassionally, I will leave the back doors open for a couple of hours to let it dry out. I'm fortunate in that I park my van on the drive way and can do this quite safety.



 

[bobplum]

In the last few weeks the condensation in the back of my van is getting out of hand. It seems that every time I have a warm cab, the back of the van is getting a soaking from the drops falling from the ceiling. Never had this problem to this extent because I did not have a bulkhead on my old van.

It seems that because the bulkhead is there, the whole van doesn't get heated up/ventilated enough to overcome the moisture.
Just wondering if anyone has actually blocked the semi rectangular vents on the bulkhead to prevent warm air from the cab entering the loading area.

unless you insulate the roof you will always have some form of condensation
as the last thread said reduce the water vapour in the van

[traps7]

I stuck some 25mm polystyrene sheets from Wickes to the roof with no more nails and no longer get any condensation.

[[GQC] Tim]

I also have a bulkhead but don't suffer with condensation like that.

It can also be very warm in the cab but cold in the back of the van.

I always try to not have any spillage in the van. The brushes are shaken to remove excess water from the bristles and the pole hose is drained down every time the pole is put back into the van.

I take my hose reel in and out of the back of the van. I disconnect and wind up my hose out of the van and put a sealed hozlok hose connector on the end to stop drips. The minibore I use also has female end stops. The port to hose reel hose is alway drained out and put into a large plastic box.

If I notice a bit of condensation forming on the inside of the roof of the van which happens occassionally, I will leave the back doors open for a couple of hours to let it dry out. I'm fortunate in that I park my van on the drive way and can do this quite safety.



 

Hmm, haven't had any major spillages in the van, I do shake out the brush and drain the pole hose as best as I can. It's only been in the last 2 weeks or so, which is strange as I did not have it before.

[Spruce]

Maybe it just so damp out there that this is the reason.

I know of one person that has a dehumidifier in the back of his van working full time in winter, so maybe this could also be a solution on those occassions, but I have never done that.

Edited.

You have a gas water heater don't you? If this isn't exhausting properly, then this could be the problem.

[[GQC] Tim]

I haven't used it for a while, but even when I had the heater with the exhaust going out the door it wasn't this bad.....odd.

I think I'm going to put the heater in the van overnight and dry out any moisture that might be remaining underneath the tank. I wiped everything else up, there was loads, because of the protekta kote it all dribbles down to the front, just the condensation alone is creating tiny puddles. Not good. 

[poleman]

I have this fitted to my van and have no problems with condensation 

[Spruce]

I have this fitted to my van and have no problems with condensation 

Are you able to stop the exhaust air going out if you want to? The reason for asking is that I would hate to try to keep a van frost free in winter if this extractor just sucked the heat out.

[poleman]

I have this fitted to my van and have no problems with condensation 

Are you able to stop the exhaust air going out if you want to? The reason for asking is that I would hate to try to keep a van frost free in winter if this extractor just sucked the heat out.

I leave the vent open when heating the van no problems, there is a option to close the vent if need be, like I say really works for me, but top tip if you get one fitted it would pay to get someone who knows what they are doing as if you cut it wrong you damned lol

[traps7]

You guys are tring to get rid of the warm air that is hitting the cold roof and condensating but I think you'd be much better off doing like I said earlier i.e covering the interior roof surface that is condensating rather than removing the air. I don't get any condesation in my Vivaro with bulkhead since and I haven't had to cut a hole in my roof. Thats why you don't get any condensation in the cab area because its covered. You'll just get it on the windscreen. And you'll have the added bonus of a bit of insulation if you use a heater on the really cold winter nights.

[[GQC] Tim]

Unless it's bonded on, there will be some condensation underneath that I reckon, not a great solution rust wise to have something permanently wet.

I need to cut a hole in my roof any way for my hotwash mushroom vent, so hopefully that will work as well as a dedicated vent as the body of the hotwash is pretty much open.

[poleman]

Got my new van today and will fit a vent and this to the roof and sides (see nat forum)

[traps7]

Inside the roof has exactly the same paint as outside that is exposed to all the elements. Also so is under the roof liner in the cab.
If you stop warm moisture laden air coming into contact with cold surfaces it can't condensate. - Fact.

[traps7]

Got my new van today and will fit a vent and this to the roof and sides (see nat forum)

You're mad!

[Spruce]

You guys are tring to get rid of the warm air that is hitting the cold roof and condensating but I think you'd be much better off doing like I said earlier i.e covering the interior roof surface that is condensating rather than removing the air. I don't get any condesation in my Vivaro with bulkhead since and I haven't had to cut a hole in my roof. Thats why you don't get any condensation in the cab area because its covered. You'll just get it on the windscreen. And you'll have the added bonus of a bit of insulation if you use a heater on the really cold winter nights.

Hi Traps.

You have a good solution and thanks for the photo.

I did hear a word of caution from the VW camper van 'builders'. They advise someone to use an insulation that breathes to allow any dampness between the insulation and the bodywork to evaporate.

In all my time in the motor industry I never once was asked to fitted a Flettner roof vent, so hence the reason for asking the question.

One of the vehicles we supplied to the Hull City Council was a van used to collect the Dog Poo from the varoius bins around the place. It had to be fitted with a hot water basin that most BT vans are now supplied with so the driver could wash his hands. But the spec didn't call for a roof vent which I thought would be just as important.

[poleman]

Got my new van today and will fit a vent and this to the roof and sides (see nat forum)

You're mad!

Dont think so as have friends that are Vdubers (camper vans) and they used this all the time for many years with no problems

[home6442]

I have a old vax wet and dry vacuum.
At the end of the day I remove the wet poles and hose then take a few minutes
to suck the condensation from roof and dry the floor.
Then cover the top of the tank with a old sleeping bag.
Van stays dry ready to go in the morning.

[P @ F]

GQC Tim , it might just be that you are missing the obvious here , is your bulkhead sealed on all sides completely ? , what van is it ?

What i do is park the van so that the front is at a higher point than the back , i then open both front windows 5 or 10 mm to allow the condensation to rise and go out the windows , doing both windows allows air flow also , i dont suffer with a dripping roof and never have , even with a fan heater going all night , my bulkhead is solid but does have gaps side and top , vw t4

Rich