Condensation in Overhead Light

[Stranded]

This problem only started near the beginning of 2022, and a year later, I still can't figure it out. I get condensation build up inside of the driver's rear light fixture; right above my head when I sleep.

You can see the rust spots inside of the light. The glass dish/cover will fill with water/condensation and then drip out.

 

At first I thought it was because that's right where my head was breathing towards; however, I haven't slept in my trailer in a few months, but everytime I hang out in it, I get the same condensation in the same light fixture.

 

I put a plastic container of Arm & Hammer Moisture Absorber, but after a couple of weeks, it's dry. I altered the placement of the moisture absorber to different locations, but all condensation still goes to the same light fixture. 

I know it's not a leak because it occurs in dry weather and rainy, and because I inspected the cabinet with the wires that feeds the electricity to that light fixture. The channel the wires run through in the fiberglass is bone dry. I put multiple q-tips in there but don't show any moisture indicative of a leak coming from anywhere else, or condensation following a path to that location.

In short, I'm stumped why condensation is only attracted to that particular light fixture.

Edited February 3, 2023 by mossemi
Rotate Pics

[Stranded]

Also, for some reason my pictures were rotated 90 degrees. I'm not tech savvy enough to know why. They look OK in my phone's photo gallery.

[Geronimo John]

The picture seems to indicate this fixture is below the overhead cabinets.   IF so, when the cabinet doors are closed, that area can become quite cool when the hull is cold.

That could cause cold to chill the light and get it cooler than the inside of Ollie.  And that could cause condensation in the fixture.  

If I am imagining their location properly, can you open up the cabinets to let them warm up and see if it stops. 

Our cabinets got REAL wet inside during a 99% humidity time in cool weather in N.C. during the summer.  Opened the glass cabinet doors, problem went away.

 

[Stranded]

That sounds like a good theory! I'll be at the trailer this Thursday and again on Saturday. I'll leave that cabinet open and see if there's any difference. I'll give a report back on Saturday.

[SeaDawg]

It's probably easier for us to open the cabinets, as we have the old school sliders, but opening the cabinet doors does eliminate a lot of condensation, as @Geronimo John suggested. 

It's definitely worth a try.

Could also be the low collection point of a tiny leak. Stuff a paper towel,  preferably a blue shop towel, under the third tail light up on the attic, if opening the cabinet doors doesn't improve the situation. 

 

[Stranded]

Will do on the blue shop towel below the third tail light in the attic, its definitely worth checking.

[Stranded]

I meant to give an update sooner, but life got crazy like usual. 

 

Leaving the cabinets open seemed to stop condensation inside the light fixture; however, it should be noted that was without anyone sleeping inside the trailer. 

 

We also had some rain recently, and I did not observe any leaks either. To confirm there were no leaks, I left out paper towels and I also removed the rear driver's side speaker.

 

This allowed me to access the area between the attic and my troublesome storage area; no moisture detected. I'm therefore pretty confident there are no leaks, at least from the rear Oliver light.

 

I won't get a chance to camp in the trailer until the end of February, so till then I won't know of my condensation problem is completely resolved, but till then, it's looking promising!

 

Thanks everyone for your help! I'll update again after we go camping next month.

Edited January 30, 2023 by topgun2
corrected photo

[Stranded]

And for some reason, my pictures are still getting turned 90 degrees to the right.... oh well.

[topgun2]

12 hours ago, Stranded said:

And for some reason, my pictures are still getting turned 90 degrees to the right.... oh well.

Better?

Bill

[Stranded]

14 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Better?

Bill

Much better, thanks! Any way you can fix the pictures in the first post as well? 

[topgun2]

8 hours ago, Stranded said:

Much better, thanks! Any way you can fix the pictures in the first post as well? 

Probably - how much money and time ya got?😁

Seriously - Hopefully later today I'll get a chance to work on it for you.  The process is actually fairly simple - just import a picture into an editor, rotate it, save it and repost it.

Bill

[dewdev]

Stranded:

Has it been humid where your Ollie is located?

If so and your Ollie is plugged into shore power, you might consider installing a small dehumidifier inside.

[Stranded]

On 1/31/2023 at 5:56 AM, dewdev said:

Stranded:

Has it been humid where your Ollie is located?

If so and your Ollie is plugged into shore power, you might consider installing a small dehumidifier inside.

No, it's generally not humid where I live, I'm next to the Antelope Valley.  Also, I don't plug my trailer into shore power.  However, when I start camping again in late February and March, I'll probably get a small dehumidifier for when there is electrical at a campsite. That being said, I usually camp where there is no services.