dehumidifier or heater?

[deep denial]

Hi. Over winter, to stop mould etc growing in a grp boat, is it best to set a dehumidifier to come on occasionally, or a small heater?

 

[Toutvabien]

Both together seem to work well for me, heater on a thermostat or timer switch, and the de-humidifier on constant.

Dehumidifier rigged up to drain into the sink once the water reaches a critical level.

 

[Ruffles]

Unfortunately dehumidifiers don't work when they're very cold. Someone quoted 5 degrees. Mine froze solid over the cold spell!

 

[[2574]]

Tube heaters on a thermostat switch at 7deg C, dehumidifier set at about 55% RH. There is suggestion that a powerful dehumidifier set on constant can take the RH too low causing woodwork damage.

rob

 

[BlueChip]

[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately dehumidifiers don't work when they're very cold. Someone quoted 5 degrees. Mine froze solid over the cold spell!

[/ QUOTE ]

This one does, x-dry .
Uses quite a different principle to compressor type, works just as well at low temperatures, costs more to run but is much more efficient and no need for heaters.

 

[gjgm]

in another month, it will be Spring!

 

[deep denial]

many thanks

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

To come in late----the heat output from the fridge part of the dehumidifier does warm up the surroundings to some extent.
But as with everything........there are limits!

 

[Koeketiene]

We have the dehumidifier set to +/- 60% humidity - on 24/7, draining in the sink.
And a small heater on a timer 22H00-07H00.

 

[knewboater]

Have kept a B and Q £70 dehumidifier on the boat from Sept. till spring running for 8 hours a day off mains, and the boat has kept very dry inside now into 5th year and all is well, it has never stopped working for any cold weather it drains into the sink (with sink stop tap open of course)

 

[Dave_Seager]

I just set a dehumifier to midway on its humidity scale on a continuous mains supply. My theory is that the dehumidifier will provide some heat when it is running as well as keeping things dry. Although it may shut down when the temperature drops to near freezing I think that condensation is unlikely during such cold weather. This has kept our accommodation fresh for several years.

 

[pyrojames]

I leave a heater on a low setting when I am not on board and then crank everything up when I am down for the weekend. This has been about 3 out of 4 so far. Boat is nice and dry, and just warm enough to notice when I open the hatch.

 

[Seanick]

Dehumidifier. If set up early, the boat becomes so dry that the fact it does not work when its frosty does not matter so much.
Remember to block up all the vents, or you just dry out the planet!
Works ok on timber vessels too, if not set too dry.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

I think I'd rather not block up all the vents on a timber boat ... I leave the forehatch up a couple of inches and have louvres in the cabin doors - makes a nice through draught - and in the winter leave the bunk tops up as well. Boat in the water.

edit ..... I notice he said grp boat!