Galvanic corrosion when insulating a campervan?

[stephenb]

I'm helping a mate convert a Kia van into a cheap campervan with a bed, sink, kitchen etc. we are at the early stages of lining the walls and roof. I see a common way of insulating the walls is by using insulation bubble wrap foil such as this here (https://m.masters.com.au/mob/product/900022727/insulbubble-100-reflective-insulation-55mm-135-x-2225cm.jsp;jsessionid=VDJrpSFtVT8pc rb1022nrg__.ncdlmorasp1201?bmUID=kp m8mG9&bmUID=kowlGNr) , basically the same material used to insulate homes. I've read it is a common material used in caravans, motorhomes etc, but would placing the foil directly in contact with any metal panels of the van cause galvanic corrosion over time? We were planning to use duct tape and coin-size daubs of liquid nails to hold he insulation in place.

Any thoughts on this? Are we worrying about nothing?

[Kunama]

Insulbubble is a 3 layer product:

Polyethylene film-foil-polypropylene weave so it is unlikely to cause galvanic corrosion, you are also applying it over a painted surface.

(and onto a KIA ;) so I wouldn't worry too much)
More important is to install the insulation and linings in such a way that they do not squeak when the vehicle is being driven !!!!

[vaztr]

Stephen,

You're not worrying about nothing - your trying to protect the investment of time and materials.

However...

There should be no problem with corrosion - most 'foil' insulations have a plastic coating and even where there would be direct metal to metal contact the corrosion process is so slow that you won't see any problems in your life time. I would imagine the engine of the Kia van will expire long before corrosion sets in.

If however you were immersing the van in sea water you may have a bigger corrosion problem, but then you'd have a boat:eyepop:

VAZ

[Kunama]

Even then the difference between steel used for Kia construction and the aluminium foil is only 0.1 V (Steel -0.95V Al -0.85V ) on the Anodic Index therefore not going to accelerate corrosion too much. ;)

[torana68]

Why not use wool ?

[rat156]

The Ugg Van ...

[gregbradley]

I use this material sometimes as an insulation. There would not be a significant corrosion factor at all and besides it would require moisture to complete the contact.

As pointed out its aluminium touching unpainted steel - perhaps galvanised steel. Most likely the body has a primer anyway so its not bare metal?

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Stephen - this is the sort of material you should be using (well i decided to use anyway)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sound-Deadening-Deadener-Car-Renault-Rolls-Royce-Rover-10m-x-1m-/171331292704?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts _Accessories&hash=item27e4240e20

when doing my back floor i moved slightly from the conventional way of sticking the insulation to the floor
i stuck blocks of 2x1 to the floor with liquid nails - painted the floor with sound deadening paint -measured and cut sheets of marine ply to form a false floor - i then stuck the insulation material to the underside of the timber floor
so in effect i have rustproofed the van floor - provided an air gap to reduce effects of condensation - provided sound and temperature insulation - can screw the floor to the wooden blocks without going through metal and creating rust points

insulation can be stuck directly to wheel wells and inner cavity walls (its self adhesive)
Note - all joints are covered with an aluminium tape to prevent heat/sound leakage

geoff

[stephenb]

Hi all, thanks for your replies and advice.

Firstly, yes it's a tishy Kia van :lol: It's more of an quick fix to get him up and going in a self contained camper for a year or two. Having said that, I've always used the theory of "do it right the first time" because it would be a hell of a job replacing (near impossible) after the lining and upholstery is laid. Also if it's done right and looks smart it may be a good seller to someone who wants to travel the country after he's finished with it.

My mind is at ease from your advice: there will be negligible (if any) reaction between the two metals to warrant any concern. So once again. Thank you. :thumbsup:

I actually have a hidden agenda with helping with his project ;) I will soon be commencing doing the same with my Hilux ute. Although not in the same league as a campervan, I will be fitting out the back tub and canopy with a few luxuries to take the SDM scope away for weekend trips etc.



As in ceiling batts? I did think of this and may use them with my ute project. We've come across a leftover roll of sound deadening underfelt (used by motor trimmers, car stereo installers etc) so I may use this material instead.





Thanks for the advice Geoff :thumbsup:

I have two options for both the Kia and my Hilux (as I said I'm using the Kia van as a sort of test bed for some ideas before I apply them to my Hilux tub).

(a) Your idea: I also have thought of running some battens down the length of the floor and gluing them with liquid nails. I was looking at 1x1 battens. Then screwing the flooring onto the battens. I do like the idea of having an air gap but I was going to fill the gap with neoprene foam. My only concern is that is there a chance the liquid nails would come loose over time?

(b) lay the self-adhesive sound deadening product you've suggested across the entire floor and up the walls, contouring it to all surfaces (probably need an enitre roll for the Kia). Then place the ply floor directly on top. Finally, run bolts through the ply floor into the van's floor using stainless fasteners and nylon locking nuts. We've checked and we can get easy access to the underside of the floor to put bolts through each corner and one or two up the centre.

[taminga16]

I would be more concerned about the Duct tape, as odd as it sounds some tape is aluminium based and acts as a conductor.

[stephenb]

Well, didn't that project go pear-shaped :lol: My mate decided not to go ahead with the van conversion and went out and bought a second hand campervan! And he's off - on the road and happy as Larry.

Which has left me with some interesting ideas on how to fit out my ute into a one-person camper.

I'm going to start construction soon so I'll creat a new post then.

Edit:


Looks like the seller has run out. No longer sold.

[FlashDrive]

:lol:

[Kunama]

Left you holding the baby, eh? All you need for a ute is a comfy swag and a tarp to stretch across the tray area !!

You original post came at a good time, I am about to begin a camper fitout though most of the work will have to wait till I have worked through the list of stuff my wife has left on the fridge since I retired.

[stephenb]

Nah the ute has a good canopy so with some timberwork, insulation, carpet, curtains, I'll turn it into a night little get-away camper for dark skies.

Actually campervan conversions seem to be very popular in the UK and Europe. Check out Youtube there are dozens of videos on campervan fitouts and ideas.

[Kunama]

:DMy camper has been in the planning stage :question: for more than a decade :mad2: , today I moved a step closer to making it a reality by actually buying the vehicle.:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Kunama]

Here is a sneak preview of things to come:

(my wife said I couldn't buy a bigger scope coz it would not fit into our car ..... so I bought a bigger car :thumbsup:

[stephenb]

Matt, that's supurb! Here are some of the videos I've been watching for some time. Rick the Van man is an interesting You Tube channel. Popular vans seem to be the high roof Ford Transit and the Mercs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1GOBZY5780

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBzRMvKrL-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LApeHVTKjMY

There's heaps more. Some conversions are not to everyone's taste but valuable to get different ideas from.

Love to see your work when you start the project going :thumbsup:

[FlashDrive]

Nice Van .... all you gotta do now is fit a ' DOME ' to the top of it :lol: .. and your done......

Flash ..... :D

[stephenb]

Nah, a nice ultra compact dob to wheel out of the side door once you arrived at the camping site. ;)

[Kunama]

Thanks Stephen for these links :thumbsup:

[Kunama]

It's got a little dome up there, but the boss might notice a full size one.
I am planning a glass roof over the bed to view the stars in comfort.