Shipping container project

[Pond frog]

It’s important containers are placed with all 4 corners level otherwise they can get twisted which makes the doors hard to open and close, when it’s delivered check the doors operate freely before accepting it

 

[Erie Fred]

I heartily condemn this sort of thing. You never know when some innocent animal might brush against the container.

So change "240 vac" to a fence charger....

 

[arther dailey]

would just putting a additional sloping roof with slight gap work and stop condensation ?

 

[gaz1]

the issue stands foam is solid whilst the metal container expands

once that are gap is there condensation will start mostly at the roof point if you ever do get a leak you cant see it as the foam basically stops the water getting through

this in turn speeds up the rotting of the metal

 

[nickk]

You may get lucky,I’ve 2 and neither has condensation,all I’ve done is to fit vent holes 250x100 in 2 corners,covered with bird proof mesh,been like it since 2010,no drips or moisture and were by the river.

 

[Screwdriver]

They have a used once twenty foot container where I work.
They had the option of having it sprayed inside with some anti condensation stuff, they had it done and it’s been fantastic, not one little bit of moisture any where and the coating is really thin.

Maybe worth reminding people what causes condensation; water vapour carried in the air touches something with high thermal conductivity which is really cold. Colder air cannot carry as much moisture so it just "condenses" out onto the colder surface.

Even a thin barrier of anything with a low thermal conductivity will prevent the air from touching it. Apart from the obvious fire risk, polystyrene is a great example. It might become literally as cold as the steel (in this case) but it cannot chill the air sufficiently for it to condense. Those fireproof expanded foam coatings would be my goto solution.

The upshot being if you can "tank" your container with anything that stops air touching the steel, there will be no condensation issues with the surfaces of the container. Same cannot be said for any cold steel objects inside it of course...

 

[Shedendman]

Cork spray insulation is the way to go,lots of info out there about it,seen it used on a couple of van conversions
In fact,i'm looking into doing an external wall on our house with it
@6ply have a look into it

 

[gaz1]

Maybe worth reminding people what causes condensation; water vapour carried in the air touches something with high thermal conductivity which is really cold. Colder air cannot carry as much moisture so it just "condenses" out onto the colder surface.

Even a thin barrier of anything with a low thermal conductivity will prevent the air from touching it. Apart from the obvious fire risk, polystyrene is a great example. It might become literally as cold as the steel (in this case) but it cannot chill the air sufficiently for it to condense. Those fireproof expanded foam coatings would be my goto solution.

The upshot being if you can "tank" your container with anything that stops air touching the steel, there will be no condensation issues with the surfaces of the container. Same cannot be said for any cold steel objects inside it of course...

whilst your clearly forgetting if that container is in direct sunlight it will expand seperating the metal from the foam as the foam shell does not expand with the metal

once that happens a thin gap appears between the foam and the metal and this is where condensate will form with door openings at the front of the container as air wil get inbetween both the metal and the insulation foam

 

[knighty]

I've got a bunch of 40ft containers here

spend a long time levelling where they'll go and put the feet/packets/whatever down before it's delivered, mark where they go so you can move them during delivery etc.

I've had them dropped in a hurry before, when you level the empty container up it looks perfect, but then you fill it and it twists where it wasn't sitting hard on the feet... (they're pretty rigid empty)

 

[J1nx]

Consider buying an older but insulated one? I’ve an old site cabin from Eagle plant hire (not far from you), it’s been great, pedestrian door already and fully insulated. Lights and electrics also already done. Mines on 4 pads I installed.

 

[6ply]

Consider buying an older but insulated one? I’ve an old site cabin from Eagle plant hire (not far from you), it’s been great, pedestrian door already and fully insulated. Lights and electrics also already done. Mines on 4 pads I installed.

That's a good suggestion but for various reasons I've opted for a new container. I guess we'll see how it pans out.

 

[minimutly]

Getting a one-trip 20' container in the next few days. I may have a few questions over the next few days and weeks as the "project" develops.

The container will be sited on a concrete hardstanding which has a slope for run off. The supplier says they will provide materials for levelling. I think this will be offcuts of ply or whatever they have. Shall I use my own, and what's recommended for relatively long term use? I presume DPM is pointless.

I will cut and fit a personnel door. This could be on the far end (opposite cargo doors) or side. Structurally, is there any preference? I'm looking at Latham's steel doors. I will fab and weld in my own frame.

Lock for the cargo doors. Any recommendations? Several recent break ins in the local area. I'm tempted to fit a security bar across the inside of the cargo doors rather than spend OTT on a huge lock.

I want to fit an alarm system. I will consider a second hand system or make my own. It should be simple and loud.

The container will be off grid and used for storage only. It's not a workshop. I have several spare 400W solar panels and will be looking for a battery, solar charge controller (viktron?) and lights in due course.

Damn yes, then come and do mine, it's on the list for this year.

 

[6ply]

I'll let you know how it goes.

As for the anti-condensation paints, etc. I'm unconvinced that painting a "sponge" to absorb temporary excess moisture in a surface treatment is a good idea. I spoke with a local guy who claimed he had zero problem with condensation, his reasoning being good ventilation. I may need to add high-level vents and fans to my list of jobs.

 

[Geoffm]

Putting a roof on the top helps prevent roof leaks. It seems to be where they fail first. We had an insulated container with our furniture in it for 15 months of renos and no issues with condensation damage.

 

[awemawson]

I bought my first 40 foot hi-cube to store household effects while we rebuilt the house. It was levelled in the farm yard and I installed a builders type dehumidifier controlled by a humidistat and plumbed to the outside. I was amazed by the ammount of condensate it pulled out of the air in the container. It wasn't being opened very often and it had the four very small high level vents which presumably contributed a bit. We never had any issue with dampness.

I've still got the humidistat mounted on a board if you want it.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Maybe worth reminding people what causes condensation;

+1 for this ...get the science right and there really shouldn't be too many issues.

A very thin layer of something effective can have a big impact on water condensing out of the air.

 

[6ply]

I bought my first 40 foot hi-cube to store household effects while we rebuilt the house. It was levelled in the farm yard and I installed a builders type dehumidifier controlled by a humidistat and plumbed to the outside. I was amazed by the ammount of condensate it pulled out of the air in the container. It wasn't being opened very often and it had the four very small high level vents which presumably contributed a bit. We never had any issue with dampness.

I've still got the humidistat mounted on a board if you want it.

Good to hear a positive experience.

I have considered getting a dehumidifier, but if I do go down this route I'll need an inverter and larger battery. I do have plenty of panels though.

Do industrial dehumidifiers require a separate humidistat? I had assumed it would be built in, like my domestic unit.

 

[6ply]

Putting a roof on the top helps prevent roof leaks. It seems to be where they fail first. We had an insulated container with our furniture in it for 15 months of renos and no issues with condensation damage.

I'll give that some thought when fitting the solar panels.

 

[Justme]

The container will be supplied with a lock cover welded on (and painted).

I had assumed all containers were made from cor-ten steel.

I dont think single use ones are.

Why go for higher cost when even one very long trip wont need it?

 

[6ply]

The eagle has landed.