Condensation on windows/windshield

[stephenworkman]

I found a way to greatly lessen if not completely stop my windows and windshield from getting condensation both in summer and winter months. I simply placed a DAMPRID container in the rear of the LEAF - behind the rear seat in the hatch area. I pulled in the moisture like it does in a closet with high humidity. I find it best to replace it every couple months. This has worked well for me in high humidity and hopefully works as well in the winter months which will cut down on having to use the defrost.

 

[jjeff]

I'm surprised it would make much a difference in a car where the air is being constantly circulated. I mean I can see it in a closet where the air is pretty stagnant but it's the opposite in a car. I've found in the winter what really helps is to frequently use a wet vac to suck out all the standing water from my weather tech floor mats as the snow melts, before doing that I was frequently getting foggy windows when I had standing water in the car.

 

[stephenworkman]

Well, here in Indiana, it gets pretty HUMID. So, even with recirculate fully on, there is ambient moisture in the air of your LEAF. You can, of sourse, use defrost nearly continually, in the mornings and at night when the temps are different outside than the temps in the car (and we often have to in both my 2015 SV and my wife's 2018 SL). Having a small container of DAMPRID in the car simply removes moisture from the trapped air in the car while it sits overnight - reducing your need to use defrost as often and as long.

 

[Linus]

In the Pacific Northwest where I am, fogged up windows is a way of life unless you do something about it. I have a portable dehumidifier that gets cycled though our vehicles on a regular basis. I sucks the excess moisture out of the mats, carpets etc. with out it we would have to wait until August to dry our cars out.

 

[AdventureDad]

Living in the Pacific Northwest it is nearly always raining or misting. I was surprised at how much moisture there is in my Leaf. Not sure if it the design or just a factor of being an EV in the PNW. I hung a DAMPRID pouch from the child carseat restraint in the back and it made a huge difference so far.

 

[moapys]

Acknowledging an old thread; ...'are folks still getting benefit of using a dessicant pack? I fully believe that anything to reduce the interior humidity would help (god help me if I have an open coffee in the car, in the winter)!

So how big a hassle/expense is the DriRid approach? As they seem one-time-use items, needing (frequent?) replacing - has anyone tried larger silica solutions that can be repeatedly dried out and re-used? THX - and 'good thoughts above (including the night time dehumidifier to un-soak carpets, etc).

 

[juneau99803]

So how big a hassle/expense is the DriRid approach? As they seem one-time-use items, needing (frequent?) replacing - has anyone tried larger silica solutions that can be repeatedly dried out and re-used? THX - and 'good thoughts above (including the night time dehumidifier to un-soak carpets, etc).

The one-time chemical-based (DriRid) are effective and relatively large capacity. If you frequently carry a lot of cargo or children, they can be hard to place as they must hang to collect water. The resulting solution will also destroy the coloring of any fabric it touches, so you don't want it hanging anywhere it may be punctured.
They are effective. Unscented bags can be hard to find, but worth the search (IMHO).

A large-sized silica-gel/bead bag will also grab water. These can be thrown in the back seat or in a cup holder. They have a higher startup-cost, but can be "re-used". I say "re-used", because they are heated to drive the accumulated moisture out. So what you end up doing is transferring the moisture from your car into your home. It is the classic case of "You can't get something dry without getting something else wet". So think about where you are going to 'dry' your silica out before buying.

The silica packs are slower than the chemical packs, and lower capacity. They have about a 1:3 capacity (i.e. 300g of dry can absorb ~100g of water). They will not absorb to dripping-wet, so they don't have to hang in your car to be effective. Think about how much water you want to remove from the car, and how often you will be microwaving the packs before you head down this route.

There is also no visual clue the silica is at capacity. Yeah, some bags have color-coded pellets in them. But that coloring fades quickly, and then you're left needing to remember to pull the bags out and go through the drying routine . . and remembering to re-install them in the car.

I've used both. For "getting the job done with the least hassle", the one-time chemical bags are the way to go. You can reduce the impact on the landfill with the silica approach if you are willing to be attentive to their needs.

 

[moapys]

Thanks for the reply @juneau99803 - and I did pick up a 2# container of pelletized silica. My early experiences are...lackluster:

I made an 18-inch "meat-loaf-sized" bag from gauze material - breathes VERY well - and placed across the dashboard, to give every opportunity of benefit. I might have noticed a *slight* improvement in fogging reduction, but really nothing appreciable. It is not presently particulary humid/wet; we are between snows, and well below freezing in Central Indiana...and no open liquid containers in my cabin.

I'll give the desiccant some additional time to work - perhaps moving it in the path of one of my makeshift battery operated car heaters, to better draw moist air to the dry bag. Fingers-crossed!

 

[Akuma]

There's another trick for fogging on windshield and is using tooth paste. I use the mint or pepperminth flavors, so it smells also good and is a cheap solution that due to the properties of its own composition, repells the water naturally.
Obviusly, it isn't a miracle and with intense humidity it will help less, but I recommend you to try it. I use it with first level of recirculating heat to mantain the cabin warm and reduce the main battery usage the highest possible.
You only need to extend a fine layer over the windshield, pilot and copilot windows to see the difference.

Here is a comparative video:

Regards.

 

[Drew21]

I made an 18-inch "meat-loaf-sized" bag from gauze material - breathes VERY well - and placed across the dashboard, to give every opportunity of benefit.

Where is your moisture coming from? How is it getting there? Can you stop/reduce it?

If you have wet carpets, it's going to take a long time for desiccant on the dashboard to dry it out.

Depending on your parking and air temperature situation, you might see the same or more benefit by leaving your windows down and inch or two. If you have vent visors, you can leave your windows cracked pretty much all the time. If you use Weathertech or similar floor mats you can contain (and dump) moisture from your footwear before it ever touches the carpet.