Keeping interior dry in winter [message #370980] |
Fri, 13 January 2023 09:52 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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My GMC, "Ol'Leaky" began it's relationship with me as a VERY leaky coach indeed. If it hadn't been garaged by the PO for the previous 10 years or so I think it would have rotted to bits considering the volume of water it let in if it rained. All caused by a vinyl wrapper that wrapped over the window drains.
Anyway, that got sorted out and any water damaged parts were repaired and or replaced. All the leaks including the windscreen drip got fixed so she's as dry as a bone inside nowadays.
My winter storage for the last couple of years is outdoors and even though the coach is pretty watertight, there is always the question of condensation and of course the mold that follows. I looked at the dri-z-air units at first, but due to the small capacity and frequency of replenishing I gave up on that and bought a sack of calcium chloride instead. I'd heard that the Amish community filled pillowcases with the stuff to keep the root cellars humidity down and thought I'd give it a try in the coach.
This is the second season using the chloride and it works a treat. No condensation, no moldy smell, just perfect. I place a 1/4 full plastic bucket of it on the kitchen counter and another on top of the engine hatch. Last year I put the chloride into pillowcases before loading up the buckets but this year I didn't bother - just put it into the buckets straight from the sack.
My coach isn't plugged in to shore power and has no heat source running inside, but it stays nice and fresh all winter. When the material becomes saturated, (takes a month or three) I just replace it with some fresh.
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: Keeping interior dry in winter [message #370982 is a reply to message #370980] |
Sat, 14 January 2023 01:02 |
mghamms
Messages: 466 Registered: March 2016 Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
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No need to through out the CC.
Heating it an oven, grill or whatever will cook of the moisture good as new.
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
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Re: Keeping interior dry in winter [message #370983 is a reply to message #370982] |
Sat, 14 January 2023 01:42 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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mghamms wrote on Fri, 13 January 2023 23:02No need to through out the CC.
Heating it an oven, grill or whatever will cook of the moisture good as new.
Sounds good, just not sure where I could do that!
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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Re: Keeping interior dry in winter [message #370984 is a reply to message #370983] |
Sat, 14 January 2023 12:58 |
mghamms
Messages: 466 Registered: March 2016 Location: Ware, Massachusetts
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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You can do it in the house. It will just add the moisture in your house.
Good in the winter.
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts
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Re: Keeping interior dry in winter [message #370986 is a reply to message #370984] |
Sat, 14 January 2023 21:21 |
boybach
Messages: 566 Registered: December 2020 Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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mghamms wrote on Sat, 14 January 2023 10:58You can do it in the house. It will just add the moisture in your house.
Good in the winter.
Hi! I just googled "calcium chloride off gas when heated" and got this:
When you heat calcium chloride, it decomposes. This process causes the emission of hydrogen chloride fumes which are toxic. If inhaled, it can cause irritation or damage to the nose and throat.
Just an FYI
cheers
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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