lowering condensation idea works

[Robin]

We are full time on board our mobo in the UK and on one cold wet day already had a preview of winter condensation running off the large windows. I had a small bottle of Rain-Ex de-fogger for inside the car use in the USA leftover and tried this on the inside of our boat with some success. It delays condensation forming and if/when it does encourages it to run off into the aluminium sliding and fixed window frame channels and outside via the included drain holes, no puddles from bigdrips onto shelves below. Additionally we added a tiny de-humidifier, a non -compressor peltier effect type that takes out around 0.5l per day a very quiet little gizmo bought from Argos that is way more effective than expected. It doesn't have a permanent drain and needs to be emptied daily which is no hassle.

Looking around this morning through our clear dry windows we can see several steamed up neighbour's boats but then it might just be happy hour on board them this morning

 

[Hoolie]

Are your windows glass or acrylic/polycarbonate? I think Rainex is not recommended for plastic

 

[Robin]

Are your windows glass or acrylic/polycarbonate? I think Rainex is not recommended for plastic

OURS ARE ALL GLASS, GOOD POINT.

BTW, the Rain-Ex is the internal de-fogger version not the exterior one.

 

[mersey]

Shaving foam rubbed in until it has gone also works well.

 

[MikeBz]

You can get Rain-X for helmet visors, they won't be glass.

 

[Plum]

Are your windows glass or acrylic/polycarbonate? I think Rainex is not recommended for plastic

Just checked by bottle of rain-x and no mention of not using it on acrylic. I've been using it on acrylic for a year now.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[thinwater]

Double glaze the windows. Replacing the screens with plastic is one of several easy ways.

This also saves more heat than you think.

 

[Robin]

Shaving foam rubbed in until it has gone also works well.

I will test that on the shower mirrors, any kind of foam specifically?

 

[Robin]

Double glaze the windows. Replacing the screens with plastic is one of several easy ways.

This also saves more heat than you think.

Ours are large windows, no screens. We have external canvas covers on the front facing ones to block low sun right now but not put the side ones on yet, canvas did not stop condensation on front but did reduce it a bit.

 

[mersey]

I will test that on the shower mirrors, any kind of foam specifically?

That's where I use it.

At the moment I'm using a Gillette gel that turns into foam, I've also used Gillett foam before, I believe any foam will work, as I'm sure I've had other brands from time to time. Obviously if you're doing every window in your boat, you might want to pick up a supermarket value one.

 

[Robin]

That's where I use it.

At the moment I'm using a Gillette gel that turns into foam, I've also used Gillett foam before, I believe any foam will work, as I'm sure I've had other brands from time to time. Obviously if you're doing every window in your boat, you might want to pick up a supermarket value one.

I just tested 2 mirrors in our main heads with Barberosa foam, will try Gillette gel next time, otherwise will shave the mirror with my BRAUN:biggrin-new:

 

[sgr143]

An old bikers' tip ("old biker" in various senses!) was to stop your goggles steaming up by rubbing soap onto the inside of them, then polishing with a hanky till the soap film goes transparent. It does actually work! The reason is that to stop fogging up what you need is something that lowers the surface tension of the water so that it spreads out as a very thin even film, rather than balling up as tiny bobbles that are what appear as "mist". This is probably all that the spray is doing; likewise the Gillette foam or anything similar. But an old cake of soap will probably be just as effective and a lot cheaper!

Of course a better solution is to stop or reduce the water condensing in the first place by having windows with lower thermal conductivity; thicker, double-glazed, or plastic rather than glass.

 

[thinwater]

Ours are large windows, no screens. We have external canvas covers on the front facing ones to block low sun right now but not put the side ones on yet, canvas did not stop condensation on front but did reduce it a bit.

Then try insulated covers. An option that will still let light in is bubble wrap. Slide it under the cover, on the outside, or apply it to the inside by wetting with water and slapping it up; it will stick.

 

[Robin]

Then try insulated covers. An option that will still let light in is bubble wrap. Slide it under the cover, on the outside, or apply it to the inside by wetting with water and slapping it up; it will stick.

Ta, noted and added on experiment list:encouragement:

 

[EdWingfield]

Adequate ventilation?

 

[thinwater]

Adequate ventilation?

That works on empty boats, but it's tough when you breathing, sweating, cooking, and showering. Very tough.

 

[sailaboutvic]

In the winter when we in the marina we cover all the windows with plastic the type used for spray hood windows and it works well for us , plus you can still see through. Them

 

[Robin]

That works on empty boats, but it's tough when you breathing, sweating, cooking, and showering. Very tough.

+1 We open up in the day if dry, otherwise not so much:ambivalence:

 

[Robin]

In the winter when we in the marina we cover all the windows with plastic the type used for spray hood windows and it works well for us , plus you can still see through. Them

Is that inside or outside please Vic? Taped on? We had a 4C night last night, most condensation was on alloy window frames windows clear mostly, heating on low thermostat setting all night and didn't really run until 4am

 

[Momac]

That works on empty boats, but it's tough when you breathing, sweating, cooking, and showering. Very tough.

Not really . Just put the heating on and open a window.