Date:         Wed, 26 Nov 1997 11:01:44 -0500
Reply-To:     "John P. Stoneback" <jps@CATWOMAN.CS.MORAVIAN.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         "John P. Stoneback" <jps@CATWOMAN.CS.MORAVIAN.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Water behind the refrigerator
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I suppose VW wanted the insulation there to help insulate the "living area".
Would it make sense rather than simply remove it, to replace it with something
which does not wick water. For example, replacing it with urethane foam.

I can't imagine that all this is caused by condensation but in a reasonably
air-tight house one would want ventilation on the cold side of the insulation
and a vapor barrier on the warm side. Is their ventilation in the body panels?
Is there a vapor barrier or would it make sense to try to install one?

        John (also planning a propex install)


> From drew@INTERPORT.NET Wed Nov 26 10:52:03 1997
> X-Sender: drew@pop.interport.net
> Mime-Version: 1.0
> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 10:52:13 -0500
> Subject: Re: Water behind the refrigerator
> Comments: To: John Thomas <jthomas@CRUZIO.COM>
> To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
>
> This happened to me too. It is important to remove the insulation on the
> bottom 1/2 foot or so along the length of the camper in that area otherwise
> it wicks up the water and causes rust over a long period.
>
> My problem, it seems to have turned out, was a leak in the inlet hose for
> the drinking water but I was never sure about this. I think the water can
> also come from spash water from washing dishes in the sink. The water goes
> back down behind and then gets wicked up by the insulation and then just
> stays there forever. It has no incentive to dry out ever so it is important
> to remove the insulation along the bottom.
>