Car Dehumidifier advice?

[cjhillman]

Hey all,

Looking for some car Dehumidifier advice. Getting a lot of damp in the boot/backend of the car as its sitting around a bit. I'm looking for something that will constantly be drawing moisture from that air and not need any constant power/also be cheapish... so this is what i've found. Anyone use anything like this?

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015FZAC2A/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3EABGHNRESRAZ&colid=1FLR9JL33Q14N&psc=0

You have to recharge it but thought it could be good.

[Woofwoof]

Investigate further what's causing the excessive damp first. I say that as I reckon with that small dehumidifier you'll be fighting a losing battle and more than likely you may need two or three of them. From my experience you really need a mains powered dehumidifier - if possible consider getting one and running an extension lead to it. It can be left powered  on 24/7 and set to your specific requirements with the drain tube exiting via a closed door.

Try using talcum powder inside the boot floor, back panel and quarter panels, if there's leaks you'll get see where it's coming from as the water removes the powder. Also it might be worth applying something like 303 Rubber Seal conditioner. Another thing you could do is rotate the boot seal 180 degrees, that might create a better seal.

[colnerov]

Hi, You could try a margarine tub half full of rice or salt, then when it's saturated just dry it in the microwave and go round again. Having said that you do need to find out where the dampness is coming in, the talcum powder or newspaper will help to find the water tracking in.

Colin

[nomad]

As said, find where the water is coming from and stop any leaks. If it's in a damp garage - think about creating some ventiliation, maybe leaving the car windows down to keep the air circulating?

I looked at the rechargeable type in the OP link, got told they are small capacity and also expensive to "recharge" (they have a small heater element inside - you take it indoors and plug it in to warm up - and dry out - the unit)

Our local pound shops sell "moisture traps", I use a few in the garage and in the corners of the house that attract damp. Cheap, simple, and effective.
They are sealed when new - remove the tinfoil lid and they're ready to use. No need for power, throw them away when they are full.
gardengnomeathome.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/simple-moisture-solution.html

My big mains powered dehumidifier is great for drying rooms but it's too much for a car, my portable 12-volt humidifier is too small to be useful and takes a fair bit of power. Not recommended.

[cjhillman]

Thanks for the advice guys! The Car is at my folks house up north and i'm in London (just moved so didnt bring it with me yet) so i thought i could send them something to put in it until i can fix the problem. This question was really a follow up from people telling me to not get a car cover and put a dehumidifier in it.

I was back the other day and tracked the problem down to the rear drivers side light cluster (common mk3 Escort problem) , the rubber seal around the boot and also the rear drivers side window is leaking above the seatbelt as its absolutely wringing wet when you come to strap it on. I will tackle all these over Xmas but, just want to dry it out and give it the best chance while i'm not around.

This is the only photo i have of one of the leaks.

[welshpug]

not much point doing anything till you've managed to stop the water coming in, just a waste of electricity and time.

remove anything easy to remove like sound deadening and boot carpet, seat bases etc, at least then you will just have puddles that you can mop up with a sponge or a wetvac.

[nomad]

It's not a good time of year to fix leaks (I find rubbers seal better when fitted warm & dry), maybe aim for temp fixes with sealer / mastic / silicone (dry it - clean with thinners - warm with hairdryer first) ?
For the back light - try cutting up a cheap rubber backed PC mousemat  
Remove the wet carpets & seats - dry them in the house?

Cheap moisture traps can go in now but won't do much good until the leaks are fixed.  Good luck !   

[accord83]

My Escort had new repro screen seals fitted  and the windscreen leaked. I purchased some "Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure" from Ebay, mainly for the name, but at about £7.50 inc postage what was the worst that could happen, and it was for boats and they get wet windows don't they?

The first time it rained after application, my screen lactated like a prize Holstein with milky liquid running from the leak points. I dried it off and garaged the car, two days later I got caught in the rain again and no leaks, and it hasn't leaked for the past two years, so a cheap result. Happy days! (and who doesn't want a bottle bearing the great name of Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure on the garage shelf!)

[darrenh]

i've had good results with the cheapo 1quid "traps" from supermarkets, which are just filled with salt (calcium chloride to be precise, not quite same as table salt)

infact i just ended up buying kilo bags of calcium chloride and recharging them, pour out water, replace crystals, replace paper lid with muslin)

[chris y]

Ive used bowls of ordinary cheap salt in caravans and cars for many years.

A bowl one third filled with salt will slowly fill up with water, then you can pour off the liquid and keep using it. Even if you want to bin it its cheap enough.

Its enough to prevent the moisture causing damp and mould

A normal household refrigerant dehumidifier wont work much outdoors at around zero degrees anyway, the air is too cold.

[edwardbear]

I've been looking into a dehumidifier recently and just cant justify the cost. So I did a bit of research and found that calcium chloride in a bucket would be a good way to reduce the amount of moisture

www.intralabs.co.uk/calcium-chloride/4kg-calcium-chloride.html

Either in a bucket with holes in the top or in little bags in the car itself.

[Milord]

cat litter in a linnen bag. works perfectly and costs next to nothing!

stops working after some time, but can easily be replaced and can still be used as actual cat litter