Cabin de-humidifier

[Alok]

With the current cold and rainy weather, the interior of our Tomcat (kept in a slip) is dripping water from everywhere.

On a recent trip, I had water dripping from the chart shelf above the helm down the back of my neck.

I have looked at de-humidifiers on the internet, but anything that is half-way decent costs $400 and up.

I would appreciate suggestions on keeping the cabin dry. Will a ceramic heater do the job? The boat is plugged into shore power.

Thanks!

 

[thataway]

The ceramic heater will certainly help in the cold weather. However we do have a "Mighty Dry" boat dehumidifier(yet $400)--actually two of them--one for the RV and one for the Boat (although we have not used it much on the TC 255. I don't think much of the calcium crystals etc.

 

[SEA3PO]

I have always used a 100 watt bulb to keep the cabin of my 22' dry...it seems to do a good job...maybe a 25' would take 2 bulbs... ya might try it...

Joel
SEA3PO

 

[Jeff Brigner]

I have a cheap ceramic heater from Wal Mart on my 25 running all the time in the v-berth on the shelf and a small fan running on the floor in the Galley area and have been very happy. Not only is it very dry but it seems to have helped with the new boat smell. I open all cabinet doors and anchor hatch before I get off. I do use good extension cords. When staying on the boat overnight I prefer the ceramic heater over the stove and think it is safer. No CO2 In the summer time I just leave a large box fan run in the boat with the cabinet doors open.
Almost forgot. We also keep beach towels rolled up along the wall under the shelf in the v-berth. Thanks Roger "Sensei" for that suggestion.

 

[Alok]

Thanks, everyone.

Jeff- what is the purpose of the rolled-up beach towels?

 

[Ted Osborne]

We have one Boaters World "Cafranio Stor Dry, Experts Choice" air dryer which has a fan or West Marine "Air-Dryer with fan" that we run all year long. It is put on the floor just in front of the bunk. During the winter we use a West Marine "Battery-Powered Crew fan" placed by the foot of the stearing wheel. It says it runs for 300 hrs. We run it on low and it runs much longer than 300 hrs. We open all cabinets and enclosed places. Never had a problem and everything is nice and dry and mold free. I think the important thing is air movement.

 

[Jeff Brigner]

Thanks, everyone.

Jeff- what is the purpose of the rolled-up beach towels?

I roll up the beach towels and stuff them under the shelves and between the cushions and the wall. Even though the cabin and rest of the boat stays dry and warm we would still get condensation in that area with 2 people sleeping. The towels keep moisture from forming there and feels much better than that cold wet wall when you make contact with it. :wink: We had temperatures in the low 20's at night and were very comfy and dry.

 

[Swee Pea]

I just purchased an Eva Dry EDV-1100 mini dehumidifier from this place http://www.comforthouse.com/bas.html. It is tiny. It has been very humid lately. I put it in the cabin and so far, it works pretty well. The cabin was dry and the dehumidifier was almost full (2 days). It was the best price at $39.95 that I have found and shipping was quick and cheap. I have seen it advertised for $69.95. It may solve some of the mold problems that have been discussed. Can't hurt.

John
Swee Pea

 

[Dreamer]

Alok, We use two like this. Condensation is not a problem. 100 watts each, cheap, West Marine.

 

[Spike]

Alok
I have been using a product called Dri-eze on my boats for the last 9 years with great results. All it is is calsium cloride granuals. They have a neat little cup system you can buy or you can just pour the stuff into an old tupperware container. It sucks the moisture right out of the air. No worries about plugging anything in, or electrcal fires. Every so often just empty the container out. But do not spill the liquid on any metal as it will corrode it fast. You can also buy the granuals in bulk form at a swimming pool supply store and save a couple of bucks. You can buy thier cup with a bag of granuals for about 4-5 dollars, and refill bags for about $1.50

Chuck
Bootleg Hooch

 

[Swee Pea]

I have been using this Eva-dry-EDV-1100-Electric-Petite-Dehumidifier to keep the humidity down in the cabin of my boat. I must say that it has worked great. It is quiet and does shut off when full. Granted, it is small and must be emptied at least once a week or more, depending on the humidity, but it does work. I bought a second one to use in my newly purchased truck camper.

Just my 2 cents worth. And if you are interested, it can be purchased here with free shipping (I got it two days after ordering - without expedited shipping) http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-EDV-1100- ... B000H0ZDD2

John
Swee Pea

 

[C-Hawk]

When I lived up in Washington, I kept a small lamp with a lamp shade made out of metal and a 40 watt bulb-- did a great job of keeping the interier dry while stored.

 

[Doryman]

When I lived up in Washington, I kept a small lamp with a lamp shade made out of metal and a 40 watt bulb-- did a great job of keeping the interier dry while stored.

What is the significance of the metal lamp shade?

Thanks,
Warren

 

[C-Hawk]

When I lived up in Washington, I kept a small lamp with a lamp shade made out of metal and a 40 watt bulb-- did a great job of keeping the interier dry while stored.

What is the significance of the metal lamp shade?

Thanks,
Warren

The metal shade transmits heat from the light bulb.

 

[drjohn71a]

In such a warm, humid environment such as the Houston area, a true refrigeratoration dehumidifier would work better than simply more heat.

I use one of those roll around, portable room a/c units with the slow start, rotary compressors for both A/C use an they usually have a "dehumidifier" setting also. The wheels let you roll it down the dock. I use rubber stretch bunjie cords to tie it in place.

You could just spring for a dedicated, small room dehumidifier also - about $140. The room a/c units are on sale now at most places.

This keeps the inside of the TomCat very fresh and 'crisp' with no mold/mildew problems.

John

 

[Doryman]

The metal shade transmits heat from the light bulb.

I'm no physicist, but isn't the total amount of heat generated by the light bulb going to be the same with or without a shade? Joe, care to elucidate?

Warren

 

[Sea Wolf]

The metal shade transmits heat from the light bulb.

I'm no physicist, but isn't the total amount of heat generated by the light bulb going to be the same with or without a shade? Joe, care to elucidate?

Warren

Warren-

You're absolutely right, the same amount of energy is emitted by the light bulb with or without the shade.

Some of the energy is in the form of radiant energy, the rest in hot air transfered from the inner bulb gasses through the glass and to the air at the surface of the bulb.

This later hot air creates convection currents of warm air starting at the bulb's surface, which rise up from the bottom of the hull where the bulb rests in it's fixture, and where the most dampness accumulates or condenses because it's colder there at the bottom. Moisture is carried up to the top of the cabin where it is vented or lost to incidental air circulation.

As for the radiant part of the energy, much is invisible infra-red heat rays
that move out in all directions from the bulb filament, and the rest is visible light that does the same.

The shade functions to partially absorb these forms of radiant energy and turn them into hot air at the surface of the shade, which then joins the rest of the hot air circulation.

The shade will also reflect some of the radiation down to the hull itself, warming it and making sure no water condenses there in the lowest and coldest part of the boat.

The thinking may also include some reasoning that the shade protects any nearby flammable objects from being heated too much by radiant energy, but prudence would demand a good safe zone around the bulb anyway.

What kind of bulb does the lamp have? A half or hemi-sphere like metal shell that half surrounds the bulb?

Hope this makes sense and is correct to the best of my knowledge and intuition.

Joe. :teeth :thup

 

[drjohn71a]

Alok,

I am wondering if you were referring more to humidity problems during use now that I think of it.

If the weather is humid, and you increase the inside humidity even more with all the human heat and sweat and breath, you need to run a lot of outside air thru the cabin by opening windows and running fans, even if it is raining outside.

John

 

[Alok]

John: my initial post which started this thread was from Jan 2007. That was a really humid winter, and I had water dripping everywhere with or without using the boat.

Last winter I tried hygroscopic crystals but did not have much luck. However, the atmospheric humidity was much lower and it was not that big a deal.

This winter, I will use a lightbulb or a quartz heater...