How bad is this idea??

[Jim Flower]

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports...-0026-3230.pdf

The above report contains information pertaining to aerogel that may be of interest to consumers. Jim


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[Cardinal283]

Good idea to use protective equipment during installation.

[DFlores]

I don't know math, but my numbers add up OK

Prodex


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David & Diane

[HiHoAgRV]

Yup. Numbers don't work. My in-fra-red showed not much of a gain from prodex panel to a bare panel.

But

The bare panel burned my hand.
The prodex was cooler to touch.

Dunno.

After 2+ years of use, my prodex camper stays as cool as my other standard insulation Airstream (and there are no odors after a few weeks of hot temp non-use...the other insulation still smells like "old guys" according to Ms HiHo. Wait. That's my smell...)

Anyway, IMHO the only drawback to Prodex is sound deading.

Entire reply typed while listening to rain on the roof. Zzzzzzzz.

[Cardinal283]

Hahaha. Touché David/Diane.

See previous statement about anecdotal evidence. Lol.

[FC7039]

Here a poorly done (by me) video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LISSwl1l4SY

I had a second video where I had a rib in the test but cannot find it




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[Cardinal283]

Interesting, but not surprising, that the ceramic paint seemed to radiate more heat than the control box with bare aluminum.

Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat from one surface to another but it is terrible at radiating that heat through space (this is why prodex works - there is no appreciable R value contributed by it). When coated with the ceramic I would speculate that the exterior aluminum conducts the heat to the ceramic coating which is apparently much better at radiating that heat to the inner skin.

I would be interested to see the same tests done with a thermal break between the rib and the inner skin to determine the best thermal break. Then repeat your experiment with the insulation with that thermal break.

[Cardinal283]

Great tests by the way! I might be inclined to repeat your tests for verification purposes.

[FC7039]

I was surprised at the micro balloon paint performance and surmised as you did that the increase in radiant heat was the issue. It probably works better where you may contact a surface but not as a space insulation.
You may also want to polish the inside ceiling as shiny aluminum will radiate far less than painted.


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[FC7039]

This all goes back to this thread several years ago
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...ml#post1104741


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[thesignlady]

I gotta say that was a pretty well done poorly done demonstration. Thanks for sharing. If you get bored feel free to test Roxul stonewool insulation, that's what I put in mine, I'm curious how it compares.

Also thinking of the climate differences between the different locals of Airstreamers. I am a fall, winter, spring boondocker in Canada. Is prodex much use for keeping heat in as well?

[Cardinal283]

I didn't realize the video used a wood frame instead of aluminum ribs. That's what you were saying about the ribs in the second video you can't find.

[FC7039]

I used the wood as it would not transfer the heat. I think too much thought goes into the insulation. I think a bubble foil or other standard insulation is fine. I think you are on the right direction with trying to prevent the ribs from syncing the heat to the inner skin.


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[Cardinal283]

I would like to redo your test and compare a non conductive rib such as wood to a conductive rib such as aluminum. Just to determine how much of the heat on the interior skin comes from radiant heat and how much comes from conduction. Possibly try another set of experiments with Prodex and even try different numbers of layers and configurations.

[rugjenkins]

I'd like to see how one with spray foam would fair

[Cardinal283]

I'm curious about the spray foam too. How would one normally go about applying spray foam to a trailer? Drill a hole for the spray tube to fill the hollow area? Spray it on to the inside of the outer skin with the inner skins off then shave it all down to an even 1.5" thickness before putting the inner skins back on?

[Cardinal283]

FC7039, I just saw on your profile that you're in Allen, TX. I'm in Dallas.

[FC7039]

Now you know why I too was so interested in insulation.
Send me a note if you are ever up here and stop by

Gene


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[Cardinal283]

Right! People wonder why those of us in Texas worry about insulation and heat transfer so much. On days where it's 110 outside every little bit helps.

[Cardinal283]

Is your AS in Allen as well? I'd love to get to see it. I have a '63 Overlander that was half gutted when I bought it and I'm renovating it with a custom floor plan.