Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

At Petit Jean last month on Saturday night I had problems with the humidity inside the trailer. Even though I was very comfortable with the AC running everything just felt damp. I thought I would try to lower it by cranking the AC to max and sit outside for a while. When I got back in the windows fogged over and it was very cold but still damp feeling. Sunday morning Cindy mentioned experiancing the same problem in their tear.

So do you think it was simply that the outside humidity was so high the AC's couldn't pull enough moisture out or is there an econimical solution.

I'm running a 5000btu window unit.
Photo from during construction.


Thanks,
Darren

Darren isn't there a lever on the front of your AC unit that you can recycle the air within the tear rather than bringing in new all the time? I could be completely wet or damp as the case may be on this, as I only have a window shaker on the house, but it does have an air exchanger lever on it. I'm a dope on AC, but I thought that was what it was supposed to do. I lost the book on it.... Doug

We didn't notice any difference at Petit Jean than any other camping trip. Although, on a camping trip last year our A/C overheated, I noticed the humidity before I noticed the temperature.

xr2

We've experienced this when we camped in muggy muggy Florida and muggy muggy Houston. Some people say that it is because the unit has too much capacity for the space involved. I figure that if it gets cold and stays cold, most of the moisture will condense out.

Doug, My ac didn't come with that option, it recirculates all the time.

It might just be that I'm not used to the combination of heat, humidity and maybe altitude that was at Petit Jean. I do have some air leaks from the back bulkhead to the galley. I'll get those sealed up and see if it helps.

asianflava wrote:We've experienced this when we camped in muggy muggy Florida and muggy muggy Houston. Some people say that it is because the unit has too much capacity for the space involved. I figure that if it gets cold and stays cold, most of the moisture will condense out.

Now that you mention that I remember hearing the same thing. As I remember the discussion was that it cools the tear too fast to effectively remove the humidity.

could be, my a/c cycles off and on quite often...

I think I've experienced what you are talking about, but it's never been a big deal, but maybe I've never been in muggy, muggy areas.... Also, my tear has about twice the volume inside as a conventional tear, since I sleep head to back, I have a full ceiling over the bed, no intrusion from the galley... could make some difference.

Darren,

We used the pet cool as you know, no problem on Sat night. We did have one of the windows cracked open for fresh air (some fear about dying in the little box I have). Could that help?

I think the pet cool is a better btu size for a tear. The 5,000 btu window units are meant for a much bigger volume....

Which is the reason I have a pet cool in my shed for aero-1, if I ever get it finished/g/..

An a/c unit takes the humidity out of the air by passing it over coils, and letting it drip on the ground.... if you cool the air quickly, enough volume does not pass over the coils to remove as much moisture as necessary... so the air is cool, but still feels moist instead of dry.

I am curious about the Pet Cool...does it work better than a small window unit? I just used my TD this weekend fpr the first time at the Ft. Clinch gathering and my AC stopped working after one night. It is brand new but I don't have the papers on it since I bought the TD from someone who has since moved and left no forwarding address. I think there is a short in the wiring but I don't want to replace it if this is going to continue to happen. Of course it was rained on like crazy the first night and the humidity sky high the rest of the trip but I don't know why a brand new ac would short out.

So, what is the scoop on the Pet Cool and can it be installed or just used as a portable?

Thanks!
Rebecca

We dont have ac. woke up one morning and the condensation on the walls was really bad. next night cracked a window and the top vent and have never had anymore problems with the wet or dampness. I think small spaces need ventilation no matter how the air is moved ac or window.
Eunice

AC is one of those over my head things (see tag below) but I wonder if whether having insulated walls / ceiling or not has anything to do with it? As I recall you said you didn't have any foam or other insulation?

And DEFINITELY leave the roof vent cracked open or a window.... don't turn blue in the middle of the night (as jplock)

I have an A/C unit in my TD. The only time that I have actualy used it, other than testing it in Denver, was in 115* temps in MOAB. It was great inside! Granted it is dry in Denver and Moab. I haven't used it in a humid location yet.

Oklahomajewel:

Did your build your tear? I need to put rain guards (not sure if that is the correct name for them) over my doors and I noticed the one on yours. Where do I get that or do I have to make them from scratch?

Rebecca

I have read that those window type air conditioners need to run continuously for around 20 minutes before they start to remove moisture from the air. Because tears are so small, the conditioner cycles too often to start dehumidifying them. Partially blocking the inside vent may help. Or you may end up as a popsicle..