Batteries and condensation...

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Batteries and condensation...

dave06 · Guru

unfortunately there is no cast iron guarantee with any battery, it may work today but not work tomorow,

lead acid batteries are subject to "calcification" they need to be shook up occasionally, driving usually does this relatively adequately but even then they will still "succumb

I have had ten years out of a battery and then i have had 6 months, there is just no way of knowing when or where it will "kark It"

there is only one answer for internal condensation and that is air circulation and venting, you may have to look at placing a couple more air vents in the roof of the camper

as for the bed wetting,

never mind dear you will grow out of it, HAH!!! HAH!!! HAH!! HAH!!!

Cruising Granny · Guru

Battery: When they die they die. If you're planning to go bush you may have to have a second battery installed. They only have a certain amount of shelf life, which is shortened if you're in the tropics.
If the battery is installed correctly one won't drain the other if one goes flat. Get an over-ride switch put in so you can over-ride the master battery if it goes flat, and use the secondary battery to start the bus. Of course we're talking heavy duty truck batteries.

Now to the condensation. It's sure causing problems for you.
The best option is not cooking inside. Cook out in the annexe. If you have to cook inside keep the grease and steam to a minimum by not cooking things for too long in huge pots of water. Obviously the exhaust fan isn't doing its job, but nothing takes all the steam away. It will be worse in a cold climate when the winter chill sets in.
Obviously the mattress is wet from the condensation created in the van. More vents will definitely be required. You may need a small fan to cirulate the air.
I'm guessing the mattress is foam, covered with cotton or similar fabric. You may need to drill some ventilation holes into the timber base under the mattress, and perhaps vent the box under the bed to keep the air moving. Even a vent to the outside may be needed. Fresh air is the best ventilation. Keep things open and go for a drive at least once a week.

Good luck with that. Cheers Chris

-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Tuesday 5th of May 2009 09:12:00 PM

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Thanks nomaders...

Yeah, it would seem the bus did originally have one of those whirlygig contraptions in the top, although for reasons only known to themselves the previous inhabitants must have decided this wasn't a good thing and it has been removed and said hole welded over.

Once I work out how to get the rangehood apart I will give it a good clean, I kinda suspect that its glogged up with gunk and never been cleaned in its lifespan.

The cooking issue is odd. Even with the doors open, back windows open, side window open I get the same problem. I even get condensation when not cooking, maybe I'm just to hot hehehe.

Seriously though the mattress thing is a problem as it will end up rotting, going mouldy and thats not a nice thing. Its a futon mattress, it works well, much better then those fold up/down cushions for the table which I don't use.

With the battery my plan is this:
Get two 700 cca batteries or similar, and have one on a solenoid to isolate it when the bus aint chugging along, and have all 12v appliances running from it, should they drain it dead theory is the other battery will still start the bus.

I think the ol fridge may have a serious hand in the condensation issue as well, since its generating heat. I am seriously considering pulling it out once I get me Engel(s) and using that space to sit the Engels into and selling the fridge on ebay or something to that effect.

xina · Guru

Hi Stew,
There is a product you can buy to put under the mattress to stop that problem. It's called Hypervent. It is used in boats as well as Campers and Motorhomes. Just google Hypervent Stockists, and click on the first site.
That will give you Price, size and all Stockists in Aus. and NZ.
To read how it works, just Google Hypervent and click on any site.

Cheers,

xina.

-- Edited by xina on Tuesday 5th of May 2009 11:23:41 PM

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Thanks xina I will look it up.

mike and Judy · Guru

Was deep in the bush fishing for a weekend, when I got in the car to leave both battereys were dead flat, had to walk miles to find a farmer who would bring his tractor to give me a start,
Hard way to learn, now I dont use solenoids at all my Patrol has a lead which I connect for charging or isolating on number two, and if a batterey goes flat try boiling it this stirs it up and counteracts the settling that Dave has spoke abou
and as Granney has said to fix the condensation, get the air moving and warm, thats all it will take to fix it

drongo & wendy · Senior Member

I to have a problem with venting with the bed, not the same as the cold wet bed but more of a problem with steam . Its a case of "WENDY DID U HAVE TO"

Ole Grizzly · Senior Member

Damp mattress > Once finished with reading the daily paper, spread the pages under the mattress.
The dry paper is marvelous at drawing the moisture out, and after a day or two change it over. Don't forget to recycle, or use it to help get your campfire established. Or, cut into squares if you forget to packed the serrated variety.

It worked very well when I back packed and stayed at YHA and slept on an old mattress.

dave06 · Guru

yep turn your mattress everyday, make sure it is not on a solid one peice surface, if it is then drill 20 mm holes in 100 mm squares to get ventilation happening

xina · Guru

Back again Stew. Just found the original product I was looking for. Same type of thing.
www.empind.com.au
Click on where it says mattress, and you'll get all the relevant info.
Cheers,
xina.

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Ah thankyou all.
Xina I am checking out that link now.

And Dave: Yep it would seem I am going to have to attack the little storage cabinets with a drill and knock a few holes in them, I am tearing the table part out as I don't use it and will replace that with just some wood slats I think.

dave06 · Guru

yep slats would be best, more air under there the better