Acrylic or glass windows

[MarkJ]

Just mulling over the choice between bonded glass and double glazed acrylic windows.

The glass ones are attractive and potentially cheaper, but I’ve read they are colder to the touch, not surprisingly. Do people find condensation a potential problem with them, like it is on the windscreen?

 

[SquirrellCook]

One thing I have noticed whilst working on "Betty" that has bonded windows, is that the water has nowhere to run too! On the "Murky" that has traditional transport style windows. It was a drainage system built in that collects and channels water outside. Now thinking of a system to prevent condensation on wet cold days

 

[RAW]

Do people find condensation a potential problem with them, like it is on the windscreen?

On Sylvia with large glass windows

Condensation is indeed a problem, maybe with decent Ventilation it would be less of a problem. On a recent trip to Moffat with the MH Crew it was minus 4 and I had frozen condensation inside the large windows of the Van !!

 

[wildebus]

Don't think I've seen a picture of your motorhome before, Robert. Looks nice

I've only had standard single-glazed glass windows in my campers.
Not had too much trouble with condensation on the side glass, which is surprising considering the way they are meant to be such a bad idea?
I wonder if one cause of condensation would be a side-effect of gas cooking as there is so much water vapour released with a burning flame.

I inheritated the windows on all my vans so had no choice in the matter, and on an appearance side, they generally look a lot smarter than "caravan" windows. But the plastic double-glazed windows are probably a much better choice for multiple reasons, not least nowadays that they make the conversion look much more like a caravan on wheels, which is what the DVLA seem to want now, so if reclassification is desired, that is probably what you need to have.

 

[RAW]

Don't think I've seen a picture of your motorhome before, Robert. Looks nice

THANK-YOU
Although that was shortly after purchase, needs a good clean now and this is a more recent picture with the Solar Panel on and the very good Silverscreens

I wonder if one cause of condensation would be a side-effect of gas cooking as there is so much water vapour released with a burning flame.

Quite probably, yes. Plus also I was running one of those Portable Gas Burners whilst in Moffat as the Gas Fire with a flue does not output much heat.

But the plastic double-glazed windows are probably a much better choice for multiple reasons, not least nowadays that they make the conversion look much more like a caravan on wheels, which is what the DVLA seem to want now, so if reclassification is desired, that is probably what you need to have.

What @wildebus said, plus the double glazed ones better for insulation.

 

[MarkJ]

On Sylvia with large glass windows
View attachment 1891Condensation is indeed a problem, maybe with decent Ventilation it would be less of a problem. On a recent trip to Moffat with the MH Crew it was minus 4 and I had frozen condensation inside the large windows of the Van !!

Love those big windows! Fantastic ...

 

[RAW]

Love those big windows! Fantastic ...

THANKS, good in Summer and Bad in Winter would be the overall statement. Though they do, obviously, let in a lot of light and as a result make the Van seem quite spacious inside.

 

[wildebus]

as Mark says. I don't recall seeing a motorhome with similar windows and they look fab. Is it a big slider as well? I can imagine on a warm day, sliding a window like that for ventilation would be brilliant

 

[RAW]

as Mark says. I don't recall seeing a motorhome with similar windows and they look fab. Is it a big slider as well?

THANKS
Yes they slide, well, one side slides and one is fixed; need a bit of TLC to make them slide better though not bothered yet as not been the weather for that.

 

[wildebus]

THANKS
Yes they slide, well, one side slides and one is fixed; need a bit of TLC to make them slide better though not bothered yet as not been the weather for that.

something that I found works well is PTFE spray to help things slide well I use it on my EHU plug under the van that can get a bit mucky and gritty - the PTFE Spray lets the socket go on and off very easily.

 

[wildebus]

THANK-YOU
Although that was shortly after purchase, needs a good clean now and this is a more recent picture with the Solar Panel on and the very good Silverscreens
View attachment 1892

Silver Screens look good and are very good for reducing condensation compared to internal screens.
For my LT, I bought a set of both - External and Internal ones as a job lot. They are both excellent and I tend to use the internal ones when overnighting/wilding, and the external when parked up for multiple days in an 'official' location, but I certainly see more screen condensation when using the internal ones.

You mentioned about ventilation ... do you crack open your cab door windows when parked up overnight? I have found that makes quite a difference when it comes to condensation

 

[RAW]

You mentioned about ventilation ... do you crack open your cab door windows when parked up overnight? I have found that makes quite a difference when it comes to condensation

No I don't, that's a good idea so will try it next time. Thanks.

 

[SquirrellCook]

More windows Sorry two pics due to length.

 

[RAW]

Is that what you are converting @SquirrellCook ? Looks good and will be really light inside. Big conversion job though. Hope it goes well

 

[SquirrellCook]

I wonder if one cause of condensation would be a side-effect of gas cooking as there is so much water vapour released with a burning flame.

I'm hoping this will be the answer on the "Betty" build.

DOMETIC CK400 COOKER HOOD

Cooker hood with 2 speed fan2 speed fan featuring a 12 V motor integrated in the roof dome makes it easy to avoid condensation exhaust fumes and heat

leisurelines.net

With the solar panels taking up all the free roof space on the sides of the roof, where to put the exhaust.

 

[SquirrellCook]

Is that what you are converting @SquirrellCook ? Looks good and will be really light inside. Big conversion job though. Hope it goes well

This is the one we want to sell, once we have made the new one useable. Also get this one painted.

 

[wildebus]

I'm hoping this will be the answer on the "Betty" build.

DOMETIC CK400 COOKER HOOD

Cooker hood with 2 speed fan2 speed fan featuring a 12 V motor integrated in the roof dome makes it easy to avoid condensation exhaust fumes and heat

leisurelines.net

With the solar panels taking up all the free roof space on the sides of the roof, where to put the exhaust.

Have you bought that already?
if not, maybe consider this one instead - Dometic CK2000 Cooker Hood Extractor Fan with Carbon Filter and Two Halogen Lights - it has a internal venting system. not as ideal as a external vent, but better than none
(I have the one on my link and while I haven't fitted it to date, I can see it is nice and compact and should work well)

 

[SquirrellCook]

Thanks Dave, but I really want to get the damp air out. I think it was cooking that killed my 608 Merc. It rotted all around the roof just above the guttering. I just had another look at Betty's roof and it might be possible to go between the panels. Or the other idea would be to fabricate a duct leading to the middle of the roof.

 

[wildebus]

Thanks Dave, but I really want to get the damp air out. I think it was cooking that killed my 608 Merc. It rotted all around the roof just above the guttering. I just had another look at Betty's roof and it might be possible to go between the panels. Or the other idea would be to fabricate a duct leading to the middle of the roof.

would a 'flattish' duct, sandwiched between roof and ceiling, going from extractor to an existing roof vent work? save an extra hole in the roof?

 

[SquirrellCook]

would a 'flattish' duct, sandwiched between roof and ceiling, going from extractor to an existing roof vent work? save an extra hole in the roof?

I was thinking along those Dave. I just unrolled one of the miasol panels and they have over 100mm of unused area on the connection end. So I may be able to vent between them without too much worry of shadows. What I also found in the box was BMV 702 new and boxed. I really should try and remember what I buy.