Winter Van Life Condensation Hack
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Living in a camper van full time comes with many challenges one of the biggest issues for me has always been condensation in the winter
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To prevent moisture build up on your windows , apply shaving foam on them clean it up and you'll be fine for 4 days but at least you don't have to vacuum them every day.
Can't get them anywhere in UK and the few available suffer the usual greedy twice or treble the price
The moisture on the windows is just a tiny percentage of what's in the vehicle, absorbed in the bedding, clothing, mattress, wood, etc. Removing the condensed moisture will do little, esp since it won't collect more throughout the day. Best to just open a vent or crack a window at night, or run your A/C.
Thanks for that
So you wipe the window with a towel? How / where do you dry the damp towel? Do you just dump it? Do you dry it in the van? If you do does it mean you aren't removing the water from the van. Only way to remove condensation is with a roof vent and front windows cracked ever so slightly for air flow(like you have). It will get cold so you will need the heater running all night. I had to mount the pump better to reduce the clicking noise. It works for me and I have minimum insulation in my van, and zero vapour barriers.
You’re absolutely right 👍
Mel, have you tried the laundry basket over your pillow and head idea with a blanket covering the whole of your head, supposedly it traps your breath condensation in the blanket that is suspended over your head by the laundry basket. You take a rectangular basket , cut out one of the longer sides that open side is face down onto the bed, slide a pillow inside that and have a blanket tossed over the basket. I saw that on a YT channel this year 23 and , it might actually work.
Oh my goodness me don’t know if I could get to sleep like that 👍
Those Karcher window vacs are great. Remember to regularly take it to pieces (they clip apart very easily) and clean/dry the internals and blades as best you can, otherwise the dreaded black mold can grow inside the damp gizmo.
Ohh that’s good advice thank you buddy 👍😊👍
As said below - good quality insulated external ‘silver screens’ for the cab and side windows of a motorhome/camper will reduce condensation significantly and keep a van warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. No need for a Karcher. Have a good Crimbo, Mel!!🥶🇬🇧🙏🥶
I’ll have to get some and try thank you 👍
I forgot to say - external screens will only reduce condensation in the cab front window and passenger and drivers windows - not the whole of the van. Take care.🥶🇬🇧🙏🥶
Yep on our second one now.. 4 years of use.. Of course an outside thermal cheap window cover and never any condensation on the windows.
I use a shower squeegee then sop up the water at the bottom with a towel.
Then use damp towel to swipe up dust on the dash.
Brilliant 👍
Good ventilation is a must - all that water vapour in your breath has got to go somewhere.
I fitted a low profile Flettner roof ventilator that extracts air in the slightest breeze and doesn't require any power. It vents even when there is no breeze .
With that and keeping the van heating on tickover , the side windows opened a few millimetres, all should be well.
It also pays to cover windows internally , not only from a condensation point of view, but for added insulation.
Ohh you’re absolutely rite I had one of them vents in my Ford transit mate thank you I’ll be looking into getting one 👍🎄👍
Try cutting bubble wrap to the window size. Bubble wrap will stick to glass and reduce the heat loss and condensation . . It's practicle for all glass .
I’m on it 👍☺️👍
I only joined Xmas eve and iv been glued to ur videos love the van can't wait to get out in mine keep up the good work Mel and merry Christmas
Thank you Tom that’s really appreciated merry Christmas buddy 👍🎄👍
Window vacum 😂😂😂. Who woulda thought. Love it
I know rite but tell you what I use it most mornings in the winter 👍
I put my homemade window covers on = little or no condensation. Like Mel I leave my cab windows slightly open & and my little sliding window slightly open (tho if it’s really cold I might close this one) so have air circulation and window protection.
Thank you for the positive feedback really appreciated 👍🎄👍
External silverscreen, padded ones does the job for no condensation on the windows, and ventilation
Thank you 😊
like your crook lock lol when i was putting one on my van in Portugal this woman said i knew you were a brit the moment i saw that
The best dehumidifier you have in your van is your wood burner!
Yep 👍
was thinking the same, if that was running through the night on low damper i wonder how much that would take care of it?
G`day Mel , I feel very lucky to be living on the east coast of Australia , we have a dry heat so we don`t get condensation to much , if it gets cold we run the aircon in heat mode that's dry air also ,, anyhow hope your lungs feel better soon mate ,
I lived on a boat for a while and that was a drama due to the temp differential from the air to water , mould was a problem , and cooking with gas is bad as propane is heavy with water ,, stay safe mate ,
Rob in sunny Jervis Bay NSW Australia
Thank you Rob have a great Christmas and all going well I’ll be seeing you next year 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld sounds great buddy I will have the beer in the fridge
That's a great water 'Karcher'
Will try the upside down method with my Vax one.
Good luck buddy hope it works for you 👍🎄👍🍻
The biggest moisture generating source is your breathing. Using propane can also cause condensation. Be careful with any heat source. You're in a small confined space so any adverse effects can happen fast. I just ventilated and used a good sleeping bag. Be safe.
Hi Mel I'm a huge fan of yours, but I've got to point out a few things. Condensation is not attracted to glass, it simply forms on any cold surface. This is usually is a window as they're very poor insulators. With regards to water vapour and condensation, temperature is your friend. A basic rule of gasses like air is the higher the temperature the more water vapour they can hold, so keeping you van warm (must be the whole van, cold spots will cause condensation) will keep the moisture in the air rather than in you bed. The second is ventilation. If you can blow this warm air out, them hey presto along goes the dissolved water with it. Obviously it's a fine balance. Having a window wide open will cool the van or cost a fortune to heat, but a small fan and aperture coupled with a steady low heat should do the trick. Keep the videos coming really love your projects!
Thank you James that’s some great advice 👍
@@vancouvervanagon9453 absolutely. I've run mine well below zero, with clear windows the whole time.
The only way the windows would steam up is billing the kettle, but cleared again within five minutes. Apart from the noise of the stupid fuel pump, I love my 5kw heater.
Any advice for bedrooms windows please…
@@theknightcrossing I saw a video with a guy that put a muffler on the air intake and then the filter and the sound went almost invisible.
@Mo Sam I purchased a smaller Damp Rid bucket on my last trip. I know it does work bc I used to work at a popular hardware store and we sold a lot of it. It’s basically a manual dehumidifier. I kept checking it to see if there was water in the bottom but there wasn’t yet, however, the granules that is used did turn into the hard brick like they’re supposed to so that means it had to absorb moisture to create the brick. I do run my ceiling fan when I boil water.
I've watched a lot of van videos and this topic isn't covered so much. Thank you so much! Very helpful.
Thank you for the positive feedback and you are absolutely welcome 👍😊👍
Happy Christmas Mel .... take care mate over Xmas ... you’ll have to light that stove, and get rid of that condensation... great channel, really enjoy it .. all the best mate ..
Thank you buddy all the best to you too 👍🎄👍
Have you tried filling an old sock with cat litter? Fill a couple up and set them on the dash, I'll bet it sorts it. Old caravan trick........
I’m going to try it out only thing is all my socks have holes in lol 😂
🤣🤣🤣
I can’t wait this long Mel - I need to know now 😇👍
Not long to go 👍🎄👍
He's got more waffle than McCain's! 😂
A cheap version of this would be cat litter in a bowl on the side and an old face flanel for the windows
That’s I g
Good idea thank you 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorldim 50 next year and im thinking if i dont plug it in it dont cost owt, if its what ive already got it doesnt cost, if i spend less i dont need to work all my life away. Good job mate maybe next year we will be able to spend more time out with our vans in the sun 👍👍👍
water is not good for metal, wood, electrics and health. it is important to remove the hidden water. It is located behind everything that is in your van and also in the wood and other materials.
that has to come out first!
Heat your interior with the stove to the highest possible temperature. after about an hour you open all doors for a few minutes. and now you repeat this process several times.
get a metal bucket with a lid and fill it with granite stones (size about 4x4x4 cm). before going to sleep you heat up these metal bucket with your stove. always keep the lid closed. ( slow heat release ). it will provide even warmth overnight.
now there is one more thing to do.
A small fresh air supply must be installed in the floor area of your van. Best in the passenger cell area. many us vans have it and it works great with the window slightly open.
good luck and health
That’s so funny you have sent this message that’s exactly what I’ve done this morning I had my diesel heater on full my wood burner blasting like a Ferness until it’s like an oven in here then opening up letting it all out and the closing it up again 👍👍🤞🤞
Hi Mel. Maybe try some salt therapy for your lung problems. It's meant to be quite effective for nasal/lung issues.
I think you’re absolutely rite I need to be in the sun on a beach 👍😂👍
Talk to Bob Wells, ask him how to prevent condensation.
Ohh I love Bob he’s a legend 👍😊👍
Talk to Bob Wells about humidity? He winters in Arizona, it’s dryer than a popcorn fart there.
😊 hello, what is the make of the wood burner in your van please. Thank you
I put a link in the description of all my videos it’s rite at the bottom 👍👍
Why not use the vent over your bed so that the condensation goes straight outside? I leave mine open unless it is very windy and it cuts down on loads of condensation.
I do 👍
I honestly don't see the point. I never have any kind of blower or heat on when sleeping. Fresh moving air is the main way to sleep healthy. Always keep at least two windows (preferably four) slightly open on opposite sides of the vehicle. Avoid wiping internal windows at dawn. Simply open all the doors and windows until all glass services are naturally air dried. If it's raining in the morning, then start engine and turn internal car blowers on for a while. If you must wipe internal codensation, then use paper towels and then dispose of wet towels.
Do you sleep in your van during the winter 🌨
@@BigVanSmallWorld I've been in my X5 the past few nights. Snow, sleet, rain and gale force winds, with the odd ⛅ glimpses of sun. Typical winter weather. Lol. 😂 Just finished snowing and now a full moon 🌛 is out. Beautiful.
Hi Mel, is the Karcher vac chargeable with USB? Thanks bud
I bought one of those condensation machines. It does kill the battery on my Jackery 😢
You need a Bluetti 👍
nice one fella
Could leaving the roof fan on extract lowest settings to help with condensation
You could be rite 👍🍻👍
Very nice!🌻👍
Thank you for the positive feedback 👍
Dude just install some active ventilation. I have a 140mm pc fan running 24/7 extracting air. Its right above my head in tge side wall. I don't have much condensation at all.
Thank you that’s giving me an idea 💡 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld the online time i have condensation is when im coocking. Is a be quiet 1000 rpm fan with an of the shelf speed controller. At night you can Just hear it but its not anoying.
I knew 1 day you’d wake up beside me 😂😂😂😂
Be careful what you wish for lol 😂
@@BigVanSmallWorld 😂😂😂😂 be careful what you wish for ! Happy New year Mel hopefully
I’ll get round to starting my van in 2020
Looking forward to some more great videos and a meet! Take care. 🤗
ITS WINTER..KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING..DRY HEAT ..
Thank you I do try too 👍
Be looking to get AC retro fitted to your van if not already installed as standard, would help quite a lot.
That’s brilliant
Enough there for a cup of coffee Mel
Yep 👍
You could try rainx on the windows outside to keep the moister off the glass happy holidays and happy newyears
Thank you and you 👍🎄👍🥳😷
just use Ur wood stove. that will dry it up too.
Thank you yes it does work really well but it goes out around 2am I’m thinking I should have got the bigger one 👍
yay
👍🎄👍
Did you cook last night in the van or is that just from you breathing ?
That’s just from breathing 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld hold your breath LOL :)
Cat litter in old socks
Nice 👍
I think whatever you use, you are creating moisture quicker than you can absorb it, especially when it's cold. Best thing to do is to have a constant heat and ventilate.
Yeah I wipe any off with a sponge straight away, no mess no fuss.
Yes your correct, you really need to be extracting the air constantly, all camper/caravans should have a dehumidifier extract fan, that’s comes on automatically when required and then your not using power needlessly. Just taking it off your glass isn’t enough to be honest.
I noticed his little dehumidifier gadget and I think it is too small. I have a proper dehumidifier and it removes non-trivial amounts of moisture from the air. Ventilation is good, but how good is it during wet and cold months? Heating and dehumidifier should work well, plus some ventilation. My experience is a lot of moisture comes from the outside and dehumidifier works harder in rainy days.
The Diesel Heater has dry heat that eliminates the excessive moisture problem in Van Living.
Yes it does work extremely well 👍
That is if you run it enough to keep the van warm at all times. If you let the van cool down then the windows get cold again and once you warm it back up - bam, condensation.
I lived in a shared house, and my shower room was full of black mould. I cleaned it , and it kept coming back because there was a serious damp issue. I ended up with a chronic cough . Roll on 10 years later.. I ended up in hospital because I couldn't breath. After lots of tests and scans in May last year I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A terminal lung condition 😢. Mould is a killer
We have a dehumidifier on the landing in our house. Works a treat in the winter....gets so much moisture out of our 1930's built house
Dehumidifier don’t work that well them windows are soaking 🤦🏻♂️. Top tip fella get a tubaware container fill it with salt and tea bags pop the lid on poke some holes in the top and leave that under your bed it will soak up the moisture 👍👍. When it’s full bin the contents and start again 👍.
Sweet I’ll do that too 👍
Too much talking ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
His name is not gadget John his name is called mankey gadget John
Use kitty litter in a couple long tube socks. It'll suck up the moisture all the time including while you sleep
Brilliant I would if I had any socks without holes in lol 😂 👍😊👍
We've had a window vac for a number of years now, it's Beldray brand which we bought from the local B&M store and it's still going strong a great idea .
Thank you 😊
It's just that it's visible on the windows buddy but it's everywhere else as well.
Would some kitty litter tied in a few old socks help?
I’m car living, trying to figure this out as well.
I woke up coughing, felt wet everywhere and it was 30f degrees. When everything is so cold you can’t tell if it’s damp or just cold, is a miserable place to be.
I got a room for the next few nights until I can solve the condensation problem, or at least help.
Thanks for your videos!
Where do you dry the towel? If it's in the van, then it's going back in the air.
During the day when the van is open 👍
Take 100ug B12 from holland and barratt..I've had similar problems, low B12 makes it worse ..
Frank gadget John sorry monkey gadget John having a Guinness team of a s*** to him
Hi Mel have you ever thought about running the roof fan above you bed to move the warm air about this shoud keep the condensation away or just getting a little fan pluged into a Jackery this is what we do and fingers crossed its worked for us because we dont have any blinds on our little motorhome just curtains on the front window . This was advice given to us on our first trip away after waking up to a front window full of condensation . x
Hi Sarah yes air movement is definitely the best way to keep condensation at bay but unfortunately the colder it gets the harder it is to stop it from building up on the front windows it’s all part of camping in winter 🥶 thanks for taking the time to comment 👍😊👍
EVER HEARD OF CHAMOIS LEATHER PAL?! ...WHY MORE GADGETS? SAVE YER BATTERIES! ;-]
Unvented propane heaters give off water vapor. It’s just the chemistry of how it works. (I read once a gallon of propane will give off about a gallon of water in vapor form.) The gadgets on this video are not the answer. You need a vented heater. He’s right, black mold is deadly. Do the right thing.
Great moisture hacks. I assume that your van also has a moisture barrier along with the insulation. You’ll need to ventilate as well as use that wood burning stove more if you want to completely rid yourself of condensation. I suggest getting well insulated window covers for your cab windows, isolate (via insulated curtains) the cabin from the cockpit, and leave your front windows open a crack to allow air to come in for ventilation. The aim is to leave the cockpit unheated, allow some cold air to ‘leak’ past the curtain, warm up, and then get expelled via your roof van. The incoming cold air will not get any colder when in the cockpit, will warm up in the cab, and will take out any increased moisture (from your breathing, etc) through the roof van.
Thank you 😊
Have you thought about getting an external "Silver Screen" I don't get any condensation at all when the screen is on.
I’m hoping Santa will bring me one 👍😊👍
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that tiny thermoelectric dehumidifier may be collecting water but it's not reducing the humidity in the air, which is obvious with the amount on your windows. So you either have to stop breathing or heat with a diesel heater that exhausts outside, to lower the humidity levels inside or a larger compressor dehumidifier.
If you can't do the above, very well fitting insulated window covers will help stop condensation, but you'll still have high humidity, that is working it's way into everything.
Good luck.
Thank you 😊
So if your dehumidifier works why is all the windows covered in mist,? can't be that good or am i missing something, have you tried them bags that you microwave once full ?
I don’t have a microwave
I recommend damp rid or similar products I also have heard of bamboo charcoal bags are worth trying as is normal kitty litter
Thank you I’ll have a go next winter 🤓👍
A Window Vac is a good solution to the symptom, but not a cure for the cause (they are good for drying out our shower room after use too!)
The condensation revelation for us was moving to an external windscreen cover since then no condensation at all with a bit of heating and ventilation.
ExploreVan UK yes they make a huge difference but not ideal if you have to move pronto!
I have the anniversary edition of the karcher comes with two blades one the same as yours and one smaller, easier for fiddly windows.
Brilliant 👍
A bad lung infection this time last year? Hmm could it be relevant to what's happening around the world today?
Maybe who knows 🤷♂️👍😂👍
Try 500g Bags of Silica Gel. We use them where I work to protect aircraft engines during storage (Stored outside!). I had a problem with condensation in my car, and after chucking a couple of bags of gel in the door card pockets, I'd find the windows were perfectly clear in the mornings. Great stuff. You need to replace it after a while, or you can reuse it - by putting the packs of gel in a very low set oven for an hour or so. It should help - if only reduce the issue.
Thank you 👍
Get a tray of kitty litter to suck all the moisture.
His accent is so much like bear grills I feel like I’m watching a man vs wild episode
Thank you I’ll take that 🤓👍
I have the same condensation in my Tiny House on wheels especially after using gas butane stove.
Thank you for sharing, i will buy this Karcher.
Thank you happy new year too 🥳
When you burn butane or propane water vapor is given off, flueless cooking appliances should only be used with good ventilation....Van life and Tiny houses have a massive potential to undo years of CO poisoning awareness. Please get a CO alarm less than £20 and can save lives, not just for faulty appliances but possibly drawing attention to the lack of proper ventilation in many home built Van's and house's.
Hey bud, insulation doesn't mitigate it in conjunction with two decent fan vents rated appropriately? :"(
Thank you ☺️
Negate not mitigate :") I was hoping a humidity sensor with the fans would do the trick. I also didn't thank you for sharing:) this got me worried about living the van life. I guess using a towel or cleaner isn't too bad. Come to think of it, my dad got a kind of bean bag cheap from boyes or somewhere. It's for his far smaller people carrier (wet tools hauled in back) but it apparently does great for the windscreen :o
I just fitted a fletner wind driven vent above my bed and leave the front windows down and inch and don't close the bulk head curtain and don't any condensation at all and there's two of us in my van, happy days
Ooh yes I had two in my transit they were brilliant now I’m thinking maybe I should look at getting one for my sprinter thank you I completely forgot about them 👍👍😊
Do they only pull air in when the van is driving? Or do they let air out also, without having to drive?
@@conor909 they don't pull air in they take stale air out and no as long as there's a breeze it will spin and take air out. If ya leave the front windows open an inch itl keep the air flowing. My van feels warmer for it as theres no stagnant air anymore or so they say.
@@patrickpirelli7897 I see. Thanks!!
Beautiful campervan.
Thank you 😊
Try having sarcoidosis while conquering vanlife... fun times
Sounds painful
Chinese diesel heater. Not had condensation once.
by the look of your windows it REALLY DOES NOT WORK.
It’s dramatic affect 👍😂👍
crack a window its the easiest way. you can buy window vents that work a complete seal on the van is what causes all the condensation. Yes it will get a bit cooler but thats what heaters are for. Very simple.
I do appreciate your feedback thank you trust me I have my front windows open about an inch and my fan is always vented too it’s a real pain 👍😊👍
easy don't have windows in ya van If you want a view open the door and go out into the Universe
That’s golden and pretty much about rite 👍
How about the Police that can see windshields like this and know that someone is sleeping in there. You need a wall built behind the drivers and passenger sides seats. You need a real heater not that chinese Heater or Buddy Heater etc. You can get a real furnace for $1,000 it's for a van or bus, it's a propane and has a exhaust that goes outside. Yes a dehumidifier or a woodstove would work also. I've been in vans down to minus 20 Degrees with 8 layers of blankets.
Great vid. As you mentioned before, a slatted bed is vital. I had a beautiful mk1 17ft Safari caravan. The sofa/pullout double bed had solid boards. The foam wicks away your sweat, gravity pullls it to the bottom and on occasion it freezes in the depths of winter! Tbh I hadnt noticed till I propted up the cushions to air them one frosty morning but the thought of it wasnt great. Cracking windows and doors and firing up the stove to pants only furnace temperatures is a great option as well. Maybe not in Morrisons car park though.
That’s funny thank you 🙏
How do you stop condensation happening then? You just showed how to clean it up sorry 😐 👍
You will never stop condensation in a vehicle
Double/triple glazed windows would be the job with a solar dehumidifier. If only.
How about using a heat exchanger from a condensing tumble dryer? That way you you can just run a small fan to pull in colder dryer air and vent out your warm damp air. The heat exchanger will improve efficiency and warm up the incoming air. If your van has deep sills you can pull air in through them as they are well vented at the base. The rest is ducting. Why waste power keeping a small plate cold in a dehumidifier - the whole of the outdoors is colder than that! Use the fan to remove air from around a composting toilet, and you can duct the fresh air around the heater flue or into the cabin heater. You may just be able to use the heater fan but depends on how well your van is sealed.
I'm afraid there is a misconception here: the water on your windows is FROM air. Air at certain temperature can withhold certain amount of water . If it gets too much (100% humidity) you will get condensation. Near cold surfaces the air temp is lower than in the middle of your living volume that is why you get condensation on cold surfaces. It does not mean that you have 100% humidity all around. And cold surfaces actually take the water out of the air - that is how dehumidifier works!
Of course if you heat the van harder you will lower your relative humidity.
If you had one of those new modern technology doohickies that produces water from the air ( which, essentially, in a small space, would/should be a dehumidifier), it produces clean water for you to drink - you'd have it made.
Oh that’s really good idea I wonder if it would work thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciated 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Also, I'm not sure of the arrangement of your bed, but if it is on a pedestal and you have storage beneath it, you could put a little fan , like a computer fan 3×3/4×4" In the panel to ventilate underneath your bed. Turn it on during the day. Or maybe during the night in summer, Maybe if you get just the right size it will keep you cooler. I was watching one of your other videos and you were talking about having an infection in your chest because of mold or something I was dozing off so I really don't know. But when this video came on I figured I would say something. I don't know what year these videos of years were made but I do hope you are quite fit now.
@@BigVanSmallWorld According to the things I've learned, your heat source has a lot to do with moisture inside. It seems that woodburners are the best at keeping the inside drier. . other heat sources actually create water in the air. Also, is your Van actually sealed tight or does it "breathe". I tried to sit through one of your videos wherein you were installing the vapor barrier.. I wasn't in a patient mood to see an outcome of that so I moved to another video Because I'm not gonna be building mine anytime soon. But from what I've learned, having watched about 3000 videos, people whose vans "breathe" don't have condensation. Do you have a store associated with your channel maybe you could sell that windshield water sucker doohickie and get a cut of the money. You could advertise it for all the people who are having a problem with window water, who haven't found or cannot facilitate a change just now.
thanks from germany, mate. hope you're all right up there!!
Thank you buddy I’m doing ok 👍 same to you too
your problem is ventilation and heating. you have a serious humidity problem in your van. remember you yourself also are causing humidity through breathing. i would say you either have isolated your van too much in the sense that your van does not properly ventilate and you need to improve your ventilation. that can go two ways, btw. either humid air is coming in through the ventilation channels of the car itself, or you simply have a failing ventilation system or not adequate ventilation.
on top of that, insufficient heating. the heating aspect can be resolved as much by replacing your mini stove with a mini pellet stove with a 30lbs pellet feeder. pellets are relatively cheap and if you find the balance, you can keep your stove on as long as possible, but especially needed during the night.
you also sweat, and that adds humidity, and that needs to go. you need to calculate what is best: a diesel heater or the stove, financially wise. i am inclined to believe the stove would be the better option, and creates a far more enjoyable or 'bearable' sound than the diesel heater.
if you have your stove on, during the night, (make sure you install a carbon monoxide meter), and during the day for that matter, it will keep heating the space and subsequentially, dry, but, you still need to ventilate. now here comes the trick :
you might think that you just heat up the space, close as much and put as little ventilation as possible to 'capture' the heat, but that's a mistake. you will not only put yourself in a situation where you endanger yourself from oxygen depletion, but you will trap humidity.
instead, you would prefer to have your stove on, get it to heat up the space pretty well, and then ventilate. yes, heat will escape. but, the humidity will too. best you can do is install a curtain or 'slide' that can seal off the cabin of your car's front area, and ever so slightly keep a window open (perhaps add wind deflectors). that will ventilate that area ( and cool it down, true ) and reduce humidity. Then, run your stove on good heat, and put on the fan or make sure that the ventilation in the roof or a window is ever so slightly open, the further in the back of the car the better to produce flow, and you will heat-ventilate your van.
as an extra de-humidifying measurement, as others pointed out, hang a pair of socks here and there and fill them with kitty litter. there are also moist absorbtion 'mats' that you can simply press out outside, but the level of moisture in your van is too high for comfort and has a technical source.
i know this is like 3 years later on now. but i had to comment this.
My unit like that one I had to return … if it was working, you would have no condensation. I bought a large unit and it got rid of all of it..
Not always possible I know but external window covers stop condensation on the screen totally
I’m definitely going to look into getting some 👍🎄👍
There used to be a squeegee/scraper that collected condensation, similar to the vacuum devise but without the need for electricity. It worked really well but haven't seen one for years. I guess nearly everything is electric these days.
Diesel heater gives dry air, probably helps on the condensation problems
Thank you yes it certainly does 👍
People also use all sorts of glues and other chemicals, sprayed without any thoughts about how they effect our healthy while they absord to the air we breath in our vans
What about your woodstove? Does it not take out moisture?
Surprisingly no as it doesn’t last all night it only burns for around 3 hours and that’s if I fill it and choke it right down thanks for the suggestion though really appreciated 👍
I use two “Ivation” small dehumidifiers in my small home. They look like yours. One in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. They are terrific! Also monitor the humidity with a little battery powered reader about the size of a matchbook ☺️
That’s a really good idea to get a sensor I’ll have to have a look for one 👍🍻
Amazon Harbor thermometer two pack is what I use. They are small. Temp and humidity. They are not always exactly the same reading, even when next to each other but close enough.
Thank you ☺️
Clearly it doesn't work in his case otherwise he would be getting condensation on windows. One can't cheat laws of physics, though. Condensing water takes a lot of energy, as much as boiling away.
My wife had a water leak into her car, i removed all the moisture with a great mains driven dehumidifyer unit, after that i have trays of Cat litter, not a single indication of moisture on her cars windows even now at -5C I tried it in my car works fantastic,