119
GENERAL CARE
WINDOW CATCHES AND STAYS
OPENING
• Turn catch arm to the vertical position to
open.
• A night vent position is available by
depressing the locking knob and locating
the catch into the middle catch plate slot.
• The windows are held open by an
adjustable arm. Tightening the knob in a
clockwise direction will hold the window
open in the desired position.
Always ensure the knob is unscrewed
before closing the window. Failure
to do so may cause damage to the
window stay arm. Always ensure
that windows are fully closed during
wet weather and not on night vent
settings.
HUMIDITY
Air contains moisture.
The higher the temperature of the air the
more water it is able to hold. Air at 20°C can
hold a lot more moisture than air at 10°C. The
term “relative humidity” describes the amount
moisture air contains at a given temperature.
100% relative humidity means the air is
holding as much moisture as possible at the
current temperature.
The more humid the air in your caravan, the
more energy it takes to heat because the water
in the air is also being heated.
A good range of indoor humidity for comfort
and health is between 30% and 60% during
cooler months of the year. Mould is likely to
occur if the relative humidity indoors is 70%
or more for long periods of time. Keeping
humidity levels under 50% also helps to
minimise or control dust mites.
CONDENSATION
Water vapour condenses on cold surfaces
when the humidity is high inside the van but it
is cold outside.
Possible causes of condensation
• Lack of adequate heating or ventilation.
• Water ingress from the outside through
leakage, seepage or open windows.
• High levels of moisture/water vapour
being produced inside the caravan.
Humid air and condensation can also be
generated by things people do on a daily basis.
• Cooking: up to 3 litres per day.
• Showers: 1.5 litres per person.
• Washing dishes: up to 1 litres per day.
• Breathing: active adult 0.2 litres an hour.
• Breathing, adult asleep: 0.02 litres an
hour.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CARAVAN DRY AND AVOID
CONDENSATION
There are lots of things you can do to minimise
dampness and condensation in your caravan.
The key actions:
• Provide ventilation and/or reduce relative
humidity of air, particularly in moisture
prone periods of year.
• When the moisture is produced in the van
(cooking, shower).
• Increase heating to raise the temperature
of the air and the cold surfaces.
• On dry days open windows to allow humid
air to ventilate out of the van. It is better
to open a few windows a little throughout
the whole caravan. This helps the air to
move through the caravan.
• One window open wide may not be as
effective.
• Try to do this as often as possible (at least
once a week), but keep windows closed on
wet days as damp air may increase indoor
humidity.
FURNITURE
Moisture in the air can cause damage to
furniture as the wood expands or contracts
with an increase or decrease in the relative
humidity. A relative humidity of between
40% and 60% is tolerable. If values are
maintained outside this range for a sustained
period damage to the furniture may occur. The
damage can be visible if the relative humidity
is higher than 80% for a long time. To prevent
damage, ventilate the van, using dehumidifiers
or water absorbent substances.
When wood is wet, wipe it dry. Do not just wait
for the sun to dry it. The longer the water stays
on the surface, the more damage it can do.
Defects caused by high temperature or high
relative humidity of air will not be covered by
your warranty.
To Next Page
Loading...
