THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

My Pinz lives outside, normally but not always under a cover. Wet climate.

Having hunted down and dealt with all the leaks I realise the remainder of the internal moisture derives from condensation/ dampness (given the vehicle can go maybe two weeks between drives).

Is there any reason why setting up a dehumidifier to run permanently inside (when not driving, obviously) would be a bad idea?

I'd have it externally powered of course.

Any experiences would be gratefully received.

Tony

If you can afford the electricity it's a great idea.

It's very similar to crawl space issues I'm dealing with... Vent it enough to limit condensation or keep it sealed and add a humidifier.

I small one would do just fine.

Maybe set it at 50%. Some moisture is good.

If the gaps in your Pinz are anything like mine, I'd be worried that you'd be trying to dehumidify the wider environment (and in Scotland, you're going to have a job!).

Give it a go and see what happens - the heat given out will probably help reduce condensation too but unless the inside is insulated, you're probably onto a losing battle

I spent ages over the course of a year or more sealing all gaps or potential ingress points with clear waxoyl and I'm pretty sure no rain gets in (except at the windows, which have clip on covers now to stop that). It has good door seals too. It also lives under a supposedly breathable waterproof cover.

So 24 hours after switch on I have taken two pints of water out of the machine, and the interior is bone dry. I'll run it for another day full power and see whether, as Spandit suggests, I'm drying the air in the neighbourhood too.

I'm calling this a win for now.

Tony

It's not going to hurt the vehicle. Mine has big gaps in the door seals and there are vents in the footwells but if it's working for you then that's good!

I just wish I had mine in a driveable state...

I think this is a great idea - a dehumidifier can't use that much electricity can it?
With that said, I think the cost to run one is well worth what it is going to save you in repairs down the road.
You could even put it on a timer and just run it a few hours each day or have it go on and off multiple times per day for short periods.

LR 101 Vampires had aircon for dehumidifiers in them. I'm not sure about other Brit EW trucks having them, but is a place to start... and they're the right voltage for you.

I have lined my truck with closed cell foam insulation and leave the vents (holes for cables) open to air the truck. Seems to work quite well although I get a puddle on the floor from leaking windows after heavy rain, but there is never much condensation anywhere.

Yep, it now produces virtually nothing, even after, say, 48hrs of running. There's no sign of condensation anywhere, and even the fabric items, like the lap belts and a towel which lives there all feel bone dry.

I think I'm going to run it for a day or so per week now, and see if it keeps the atmosphere from letting it produce much water in the collector.

I should really rig up a power socket inside, powered by a waterproof socket on the underside somewhere, to allow me to plug the mains electricity to. Then I wouldn't have to keep trying to sneak the extension cable in at the corner of the rear door under the seal.

Tony