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Topic: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question (Read 459 times) previous topic - next topic
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Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Here we are at the in-law's farm in northern Oklahoma, just outside the town of Guthrie.  The weather has been unseasonably wet, windy, and cold.  We started out with the Heater Buddy, but that only got us up to about 55/56 inside @ mid to high 30s outside, and that required bottle changes every few hours.  I finally deployed the large Olympian catalytic (which I have reported on in prior posts, with pix) and that took us up to a steady 65 interior on low setting, and of course no frequent bottle changes.

I was also very impressed with the Fantastic fan vent covers that I installed.  We have experienced some very strong winds from the north with driving, slanted rain, and the vent never got wet.  I normally leave the shower window open several inches to oxygenate the cat heater, but since the window was broadside to the northerly wind and rain, I kept it shut and opened the rear vent to provide air to the cat.  Worked great, no water inside.

Question.  Of course I know why the aluminium window frames accumulate beaded moisture in these conditions, but I wonder how some of you folks wipe up or otherwise attend to the substantial condensation build?  We have for years just been using cheap Walmart packs of wash cloths, but does anyone have a better secret way (other than leaving windows open)?

Here are two pix that show the set up, including the rear-most roof vent cover:
2017 RB
Re: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Reply #1 –
Ray,

We’ve been using the yellow microfibre towels from Costco. About $15 a bundle.

After washing the towels a couple of times (after use), they tend to be very absorbent. We’ve tried other such towels from Amazon (black towels that wouldn’t show their use as much as the yellow Costco towels do) but they don’t tend be absorbent enough and generally smear the moisture around.

Works for us.

Kent 
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Reply #2 –
Bath fan on low exhaust may not cool you as much as you would think, since the Olympian is radiant. You could also turn the heater high to compensate. Open the bunk side window a bit on the downwind side too.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Reply #3 –
Perhaps cracking the windows a bit more and turning heater up a bit if needed.   I always open the shower and a roof vent maybe 1/2 inch.  I sometimes open a second  roof vents or another window.  I have had to wipe up some condensation after colder nights, below freezing temps mostly.  The previous owner of my 2003 RB replaced  original with Hunter Douglass blinds, so MYMMV
Jay Carlson
2003  LD RB
2005 Bigfoot 40MH35LX
rvingjaygwynne.wordpress.com
Re: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Kent Heckethorn  - 
Ray,

We’ve been using the yellow microfibre towels from Costco. About $15 a bundle.

After washing the towels a couple of times (after use), they tend to be very absorbent. We’ve tried other such towels from Amazon (black towels that wouldn’t show their use as much as the yellow Costco towels do) but they don’t tend be absorbent enough and generally smear the moisture around.

Works for us.

Kent 
I have also used these towels for 16 years on my LD and found them to work well. I have a set for drying after washing and a set for buffing after polishing.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: Roof Vent Covers and Cat Heater Reports, Plus a Question
Reply #5 –
Here is a different approach to the inside surface of the aluminum window trim forming condensation.
1) Wipe the trim with alcohol to get it thoroughly clean and dry.
2) Apply 1" x 1/4" foam weatherstripping, carefully working it onto the surface and around the curves.  Make sure it is not inside the tracks, just on the part facing the living space.  Cover every inch of the trim.

That ended my condensation issues in the over-cab area.  It is probably not a good approach in an area that gets a lot of wear, but it has lasted up there for 6 or 7 years now.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB