Condensation

[CC44853]

Yeah I honestly thought I'd like having them, that's why I tried!

But taking them off has provided a sense of relief! Makes sense they don't ship them with the vehicle.

Merry Christmas!!!

 

[Roger Boeken]

Thanks for the advice. It seems wind/rain deflectors are the solution, allowing you to keep front windows open a bit. And don't bother with external/internal screen covers. We'll give deflectors a try.

External insulated screencover is still usefull:
Will keep heat out in summer during day.
Will prevent condensation building up on windscreen inside at night, unless you like cleaning windscreen inside in the morning.

 

[WelshGas]

External insulated screencover is still usefull:
Will keep heat out in summer during day.
Will prevent condensation building up on windscreen inside at night, unless you like cleaning windscreen inside in the morning.

The point is, an insulated windscreen cover stops condensation on the windscreen but just transfers it to other places such as body panels at back of kitchen and wardrobe cupboards or behind plastic trim covers Unless you have adequate ventilation. The condensation doesn't magically disappear. Only adequate ventilation minimises condensation within the vehicle, insulation just moves it around within the vehicle.

 

[Roger Boeken]

The point is, an insulated windscreen cover stops condensation on the windscreen but just transfers it to other places such as body panels at back of kitchen and wardrobe cupboards or behind plastic trim covers Unless you have adequate ventilation. The condensation doesn't magically disappear. Only adequate ventilation minimises condensation within the vehicle, insulation just moves it around within the vehicle.

I do not dispute that condensation occurs or that ventilation is necessary, but I prefer to avoid condensation on the inside of the windscreen in the morning.

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

I use internal thermal screens, and just wipe off any condensation on the front screen with an old towel in the morning. Not much there as a rule anyway.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Keeping a window slightly open for ventilation will help, then use a shower squeegee to remove any excess before driving - also great for clearing external windows:

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Squeegee

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[JuanVecino2023]

Picking up on this thread, as our 24 plate seems to suffer excessive condensation.

I understand that moist warm air meeting a colder surface = condensation. Completely on board with the science of this.

I’m wondering though if the amount of condensation we experience is typical.

Even when not used for camping - just normal daily use - and running the heating with A/C (which in theory dries the air), while driving, in winter there are floods of water on the windscreen in the morning.

Floods that need a bath towel to dry.

It’s like my old cars as a student with leaky seals.

I understand it’s a big slab of glass and a big cold cavern of a car. But it seems extreme.

There’s no wet clothing/towels etc left in the car.

Does anyone else experience this with day to day use in winter?

Parking heater all well and good. But requires advanced warning of use to deploy.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Would having it parked in winter sun warm up the inside enough so that when the temperature outside drops the inside of the van is still warm and hence condensation forms? Just a thought. There’s almost as much glass in a Cali as a green house!

 

[andyinluton]

Picking up on this thread, as our 24 plate seems to suffer excessive condensation.

I understand that moist warm air meeting a colder surface = condensation. Completely on board with the science of this.

I’m wondering though if the amount of condensation we experience is typical.

Even when not used for camping - just normal daily use - and running the heating with A/C (which in theory dries the air), while driving, in winter there are floods of water on the windscreen in the morning.

Floods that need a bath towel to dry.

It’s like my old cars as a student with leaky seals.

I understand it’s a big slab of glass and a big cold cavern of a car. But it seems extreme.

There’s no wet clothing/towels etc left in the car.

Does anyone else experience this with day to day use in winter?

Parking heater all well and good. But requires advanced warning of use to deploy.

It does sound like you have excessive water in the van.
There’s a couple of things worth checking:
Is the van leaking - roof drains would cause wet carpets in the front, boot seal a leak at the back.
Is the waste water tank empty & is the plug firmly in the sink?

 

[WelshGas]

Picking up on this thread, as our 24 plate seems to suffer excessive condensation.

I understand that moist warm air meeting a colder surface = condensation. Completely on board with the science of this.

I’m wondering though if the amount of condensation we experience is typical.

Even when not used for camping - just normal daily use - and running the heating with A/C (which in theory dries the air), while driving, in winter there are floods of water on the windscreen in the morning.

Floods that need a bath towel to dry.

It’s like my old cars as a student with leaky seals.

I understand it’s a big slab of glass and a big cold cavern of a car. But it seems extreme.

There’s no wet clothing/towels etc left in the car.

Does anyone else experience this with day to day use in winter?

Parking heater all well and good. But requires advanced warning of use to deploy.

As above but also check for leaking sliding window. Kitchen side - check back of kitchen cupboard and waste water tank top surface.
Sliding door - wet step or behind table.

It does seem as if you have a leak. Never had this problem in 10yrs of our T5.1 California SE.

 

[sbmcd]

I've recently changed from a 5.1 no issues to a 6.1 and it does seem to be worse for day to day condensation on the front window, clears quickly enough with the air con / demist, I've checked the kitchen window, carpets bone dry under the front mats.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

It does sound like you have excessive water in the van.
There’s a couple of things worth checking:
Is the van leaking - roof drains would cause wet carpets in the front, boot seal a leak at the back.
Is the waste water tank empty & is the plug firmly in the sink?

Waste & fresh tank emptied with valves left half open (I saw this advised elsewhere here to prevent damage in freezing weather). Sink plug not in though.

No carpets in the van at all. Rubber mats up front and stock flooring in rear.

One thing I noted in summer was a lot of water pooling in passenger footwell. I think may be A/C related.

 

[Wesel]

Would having it parked in winter sun warm up the inside enough so that when the temperature outside drops the inside of the van is still warm and hence condensation forms? Just a thought. There’s almost as much glass in a Cali as a green house!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

When parked up on the drive we use moisture traps or bags of silica gel desiccant in all the cars to reduce the condensation