Condensation in gauges

Graeme Clark · Post by **Graeme Clark** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 18:24

Hi folks, Even though the garage has a heater in (all be it a small one) I have started to get a little condensation forming around the edges of my VDO gauges in the dash (but none in the clock). have thought about leaving the lights on to help dry them out by leaving my conditioner/charger on at the same time but not sure it can cope - any ideas ? BTW I leave the windows up and have 2 x tupperware boxes of salt in her too and theres no other dampness anywhere else.
cheers Graeme

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 19:11

What sort of heater?

If it's parrafin or gas then that could be the problem as they give off more water than heat

What sort of garage - brick, wood ??

Look at it this way - drive car in wet/cold/damp conditions then park in closed garage - water has to go somewhere and it goes into the air - so what is needed is ventilation ie air flow (read drafty garage!).

On the odd time I can get my car into our garage I leave the windows open a tiny bit, so the air can flow all around the inside as well.

If you get into the car with wet feet then the water you have brought into the car has to escape, so it goes into the air and if the air is trapped inside the car etc. etc.
Hope you can see what I mean.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Steve C · Post by **Steve C** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 19:12

A nice long drive at night tends to sort mine out when this happens ...

The sidelights and instrumentation lights should only take a couple of amps so if your charger is rated more than that you should be ok. Just keep a watch on the voltage, you don't want to deep discharge your battery ...

jimmybondi · Post by **jimmybondi** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 21:15

I would check if you have water ingress from the washer seal of the wiper arm or from the air intake in the front...these will cause damp air behind the dash hence the condense in the gauge...
A longer drive with heater and a/c on should be more effective than leaving the lights on...

As Skeggy, I always leave the windows open a bit to allow the air to circulate.

Graeme Clark · Post by **Graeme Clark** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 19:21

Thanks for the tips guys, the garage is a standard brick single with a slim panel oil filled radiator keepin the chill off only. I have taken lottie for a long drive with both lights and a/c on and the comdensation has gone - will leave the windows open a little in future though and see if that helps too.
cheers, Graeme

jimmybondi · Post by **jimmybondi** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 09:16

Graeme Clark wrote: I have taken lottie for a long drive with both lights and a/c on ...

Are you implying that you normally drive with one light only??

Graeme Clark · Post by **Graeme Clark** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 21:28

Thank you Jimmy

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 23:05

Or.....

Sorry Officer I couldn't see how fast i was going because of the fog