Hey everyone we have a new, only got it a early June, 25ft Jayco Sterling and as it is winter we have been using a portable gas heater in it and are haveing a big problem with condensation. We have the vents open a bit and still find it a big problem. The van came with airco but it appears useless on the heat section according to the book it will only the chill out of the air. Anyone with any thoughts or the same problem, in case its something that needs Jayco to fix let me know.
Thanks Brett: I know the problems with the gas heater we are very carefull and do not leave it on for long it heats the van farely quickly and there is no way I would leave it on when asleep, I prefer to wake up cold than not wake up at all. I will have to get the aircon looked at, if yours works well. By the way what brand and model of airco is in your van?
Cheers Andrew
unflued gas heaters put a lot of moisture into the air - so I'm guessing that's the problem. We use a small ceramic fan heater about 1700watts and can run it on 1/2 with the generator if necessary. It does a great job. We also have electric blankets and a small oil filled column heater we use if we have power and want heating all night . We also use 'damp rid' or 'dampsorb'. Have been living in our van for 2 years with April, May, June and July last year in Victoria - many frosty mornings. Have had no condensation issues - we do wipe out the shower with a chamois and dry towel when we finish. We also added a heated towel rail to the ensuite so towels dry quickly - good for airing clothes too.
We have an Ibis air con and only use it for cooling.
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Thursday 11th of July 2013 11:53:52 AM
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
The heating side of reverse cycle A/C's used in RV's are next to useless when it gets really cold as they stop pumping warm air at around 4c. Then hooked up to power most vanners use a cheap portable fan heater with the bonus of being quieter than the A/C and take up minimal storage space. One with a thermostat is better as it can be set to a nice comfortable temperature and allowed to cycle overnight. We find 16c over night to be ideal. Cheers, ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Thursday 11th of July 2013 12:09:00 PM
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Hi Andrew, when I am hooked up to 240v I use a oil column heater with a window open about two inches plus the air vents and have no problem with condensation. I know when using gas heating or even the stove condensation is a problem.
My 2 KVA Gene works the column heater as well.
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In the Jayco air cons the heater is a 2400 watt element using the fan to spread the heat,they are not a reverse cycle air con.cheers Peter.
Only a small number of models have an electric heater element the majority of A/C models are reverse cycle, this is especially so with roof top models. Ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
My experience is as follows - the useless dometic heat pump rooftop model only works if the outside temperature is above 9degreesC so is basically unable to be used, it is also noisy. So when on power use a small blower heater to warm up before retiring sometimes.
The condensation issue comes from the cold outside air and the warmth that comes from the out breath of the bodies in the van. Even with a window open it still occurs, like in some rooms of a house too. Not sure how to stop this either.
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Got to keep moving and as Hippocrates the modern medicine guru once said "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food
We are living in our Jayco Starcraft and dont bother with the aircon on hot. We also have an oil filled fin heater and it heats the place up in no time!! Hot water bottle and extra layers on the bed if it gets too cold.
It's your method of heating as said they produce moisture . Go and see Jayco Dealer that aircon should operate like a home unit in a small space like a van
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