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By Russ and Tiña De Maris
First, a hat-tip to our readers. We have some of the brightest readers in the RV field. Some time back we wrote a piece about dealing with humidity in your RV. Of course, we included the “standard” advice about making sure you use ceiling vents when producing prodigious amounts of moisture and, of course, using the microwave instead of cooking on the stove top. But one reader has a dehumidifier “mod” that takes care of its own drain water.
Reader Jef Boutin has a “one up” on our suggestions for dealing with humidity in the RV. Jef writes that in addition to using the “course of wisdom” tricks, he bought a dehumidifier for use in his rig last winter. Jef wrote, “WOW, what a difference! I still get a little fog in the corners of the windows, but not more than that.”
Before you consign Jef’s thought to the “Yeah, OK. So what?” file, here’s the rest of the story that makes this reader’s thought outstanding. It’s where to put the dehumidifier and how to deal with the moisture that it pulls out of the air that counts. We’ll let Jef speak on this directly.
“After getting tired of emptying the internal bucket several times a day, I needed to find a way to have it drain with its drain hose attached. First, I put the dehumidifier in the bathtub and let the water run out of the drain. But then we had to keep moving it whenever we showered. We are full-timers, so this was a hassle.
“So I relocated it next to the slide-out and ran the drain hose along the slide opening at the floor. It hangs down and drips to the ground for totally independent operation! Well, until we have to move, then I pull the little hose back in before pulling the slide in.”
Jef was kind enough to send us some photos of how his dehumidifier “mod” works in practice. It may be just the thing for those of you who suffer it out in those humid climates. Thanks, Jef — and to all of you other sharp RVers who send us ideas!
Related:
An RV curse: Mold and mildew
Dehumidifiers with drains on Amazon
##RVDT1503
We put our dehumidifier next to washing machine and run the drain hose in. Also help fill the washer using less from the tank.
We have used them in homes for years. One thing I found was you can get a little pump to handle the water from the draining dehumidifier. I hooked a six foot section of garden hose to the dehumidifier, an then run it to a Little Genie Pump. The pump has a smaller hose that I run to the shower. When the water drained, the pump activated and the shower handled it. We left it running for months in FL, while we were traveling. .
I wish there was a battery operated dehumidifier.
I believe that calcium chloride can be used over a bucket.
There are “rechargable” desiccant-based dehumidifiers that take zero power in operation. When you do have power, plug it in for a few hours every few weeks.
I place mine up on kitchen cabinet and let it drain to sink when stored at house. Also leave gray dump valve partially open so water can drain to ground.
Great Mod! Iam thinking of a way to place one in our shower (with door open while stored) and having it drain into the Grey tank… Any suggestions? Thx : )
Most have a “drip on the ground” option, as simple as leaving a drain hose connected or bucket out.