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Old 04-13-2018, 06:36 PM   #1
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Bluffton, South Carolina
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA
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Solar controller and humidity questions

We will be storing our 2014 5.0TA in South Carolina and have two questions.

What would cause our factory installed Solar Controller to no longer read out.

How do we deal with SC humidity without electricity? The trailer will be unattended for several months. We plan to remove the cushions.

Thanks,

David
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Old 04-13-2018, 08:15 PM   #2
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Location: Smithers, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: Escape 21, July 2018 delivery
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I don't know about SC humidity specifically, but without electricity, the only option I know of is dessicant dehumidification, such as Dri Z Air or something like it:

DRI-Z-AIR® DEHUMIDIFIER - MOISTURE ABSORBER - MADE IN THE USA

I haven't used the Dri Z Air myself, but I know that it removes water from the air, the question is how much. The electric dehumidifier in our boat accumulates a substantial amount of water, so the capacity of this system looks suspiciously low to me especially if you plan to leave the trailer unattended for a long time. Putting several of the units in the trailer would presumably help. For perspective, prior to putting an electric dehumidifier on our boat, locations with limited air circulation would develop mildew spots. After using the dehumidifier, no such problems. Another boat owner where we moor returned to his boat after several months away to find the majority of surfaces inside the boat with substantial amounts of mildew on them. This result may have been exacerbated by rain leaking into the trailer, but I do not have information on that. Suffice it to say, that in very high humidity environments, this issue can get seriously annoying. Perhaps someone else here has specific experience with dessicant dehumidification, but if I were you, I would be careful.

In any case, storing your cushions elsewhere is a good idea. Checking on the trailer periodically until you learn how things behave, and leaving all drawers and doors including the fridge ajar would be another one. If you notice mildew starting, it will be time for a plan B.
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Old 04-13-2018, 08:29 PM   #3
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Think I'd put in a few buckets of Dri-Z and close the trailer up tight.

I don't have the factory Solar, but the only thing that'll cause mine to no have a read out is it has no power. On mine, the voltage level you ses it what it reads across the battery via a fuse. Don't know if your solar controller is disconnected when the 12v disconnect switch is thrown.
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Old 04-14-2018, 06:15 AM   #4
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I would discuss the moisture challenges with other people who store their RV in the same area as you intend to. What has worked for them? I live in the mountains of NC and leave the Maxxfan vent open about half way. I also leave the front window cover on my 19 open about 3” due to a large amount of condensation over night, every night. In 4 years of storage, I haven’t had any problems of moisture inside. (Or water getting in through the Maxxfan vent)
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Old 04-14-2018, 09:08 AM   #5
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+1 on closing up tight if depending on Dri Z. There is little point in using the limited dessicant capacity to dry out the local climate.
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Old 04-14-2018, 10:42 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AllanEdie View Post
+1 on closing up tight if depending on Dri Z. There is little point in using the limited dessicant capacity to dry out the local climate.
Hi: AllanEdie... Dollar Store "Damp rid" works well too!!! Alf
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