|
| Author |
Message |
Tim_Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 09:31am
Reply
Hi.
I'm wondering how others control humidity in your cabin. My use is on weekends or occasional. The cabin is well sealed having a vapor house wrap.
It's sealed up pretty good. I've noticed some mold
on some surfaces over the warmer months. It sits in the woods and stays cool inside, even in hot weather since it's well insulated. It's finished with drywall, but the sub-floor is unfinished yet. It does have some Thompson Water Seal on it form construction.
The cabin sits on concrete piers.
Since there is no electric, an electric dehumidifier is out of the question. I'm reading about using charcoal briquettes, rock salt, silica based cat litter, calcium chloride or zeolite rocks in a perforated container nested inside of a collection container.
Has anyone had good results from any of the above mentioned ideas? Or, do you have other good ideas that might work?
As the weather cools into winter, it is not too much of a problem. It's been the first summer with the cabin and I noticed some mold on the furniture surfaces.
Thanks,
Tim_Ohio
|
|
WILL1E
Moderator
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:08am
Reply
We've become big believers in this product. We use it in our camper and in our basement at home (which also has a dehumidifier down there). My plan was to do it in the cabin as well, but i have electricity so i like your idea of just having a dehumidifier in there with an external drain.
Following to see what others say!
|
|
Nate R
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:21am
Reply
It depends!
Lots of variables, but keep in mind the first year or so after new construction often has much more moisture than later. Wood will often dry more than it was, etc. So you may find it's not as damp inside next summer.
That said, I've had good luck with the DampRid buckets in campers, too.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 10:29am
Reply
I mentioned in another thread that I heard about using wood stove ashes as a desiccant. My cabin doesn't have a problem but my shipping container does. About a week ago I put a pan of ashes in a box with some tools that rusted up last year. It's been very wet at my place, I'll have a look today.
Got a lot of wood stove ashes..
|
|
travellerw
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 11:23am
Reply
All the passive products like charcoal, zeolite, Dampraid, ect are for smaller spaces. They work great in a closet, small bathroom and maybe an RV (with a bunch of them). For big spaces, you would require large amounts to really have any appreciable affect. According to my humidistat the 6 dampraid containers I put in our RV over the summer did next to nothing for the air humidity(although they did collect water).
The easiest solution is venting. Having just a tiny amount of cross venting does wonders. Of course you have to make sure no rain comes in (and its secure from thieves).
We used to leave our boat in the tropics during the summer hurricane months. The first year we closed it up tight and it was mold city. The following years we simply opened 4 hatches 1 inch each and had zero mold when we got back.
|
|
Brettny
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 04:00pm
Reply
If you have a cold interior and open up the cabin to warm it up the warm air will condense on the cold surfaces inviting mold. The best way, with no power to fix this is to vent it. Also run the hell out of your wood stove in the winter.
You dont have a non vented propane heater do you?
|
|
FishHog
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Nov 2021 04:46pm - Edited by: FishHog
Reply
Agree, vents are a must, even if that is just windows open that won't get rain.
My old place had vents up at the peaks on both ends, new place has a window to an exterior room that isn't heated and well vented. That open along with my wood stove vents left wide open when I'm not there has been enough for me.
Good airflow under the cabin helps alot as well if that is an option.
|
|
SE Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 12 Nov 2021 08:07am - Edited by: SE Ohio
Reply
Air circulation can be enhanced with a fan/solar panel combination. I direct connected mine, no battery or controller. When the sun hits the panel, fan starts up. I got an oscillating model for a bit more coverage.
Make sure panel is more watts than fan requires.
SE Ohio
PS- My neighbor with uninsulated floor gets floor condensation. He also uses non-vented propane furnace. Lots of mold/mildew!
|
|
|
Tim_Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Nov 2021 11:02am
Reply
SE Ohio,
Is that a DC fan? Any special plug?
Tim
|
|
SE Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Nov 2021 12:32pm
Reply
Yes, DC fan from car parts store. I direct wired it to the panel but you could wire up a plug or connectors (spade, etc also at auto parts store or most hardware stores)
My place is in Vinton county, you?
SE Ohio
|
|
Tim_Ohio
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Nov 2021 03:33pm
Reply
I’m over in Pike.
|
|
MKirchhoff
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Nov 2021 08:38pm
Reply
I'd wonder, first, how excessive moisture is getting into the cabin. Check for any leaks in the roof. If you have an enclosed crawl space, make sure no water is pooling there. And avoid using an unvented propane heater indoors (Propane produces a large amount of water as a by-product of combustion).
In your situation, without power, I'd agree with others that venting is the most effective way to reduce the humidity.
To increase air circulation without a fan, opening windows is OK, as long as rain (and uninvited guests) can't get in. If you wish to make vents, note the prevailing wind direction, and add them on the windward and leeward sides of the cabin. Rex Roberts, author of: "Your Engineered House" recommends box vents below fixed-pane windows as a way to provide waterproof (and bug-proof) ventilation.
Good Luck Tim. Please let us know what ends up working for you!
|
|
|
