DannyB1954 said:
A law of thermodynamics is heat flows from warm to cold. Not the other way around. The larger the temperature differences, the quicker the heat energy will move. Cold does not radiate. Heat is energy. Cold is a lack of energy. You can not have a lack of something flowing into a supply of something. It is impossible to add cold to anything. You can only move the heat.
I looked at all the insulation that Home Depot sells. Per inch they are not all that different. What is a bigger factor is how do their other characteristics play in the installation. The best insulator that does not fit well into the space is not as good as the worst insulator that fits perfectly. I personally don't like foam board of any type. If moisture gets behind it for any reason, that moisture will not easily evaporate. I am especially leery of things that give off toxic fumes when they burn.
I am leaning towards Denum. If something can get wet easy, it can dry easy as well. Under the front mats of all vehicles is a fiber insulation that all manufacturers use to keep engine heat and noise out of the passenger compartment. I bet the engineers know more than any of us. Everybody has spiled something in their vehicle. Did the floor rot out before it dried? Now spill something and cover it in a vapor barrier and see what happens.
I did Transport Refrigeration for over 30 years. I was a Reefer Mechanic. Carrier Thermo-King, Mitsubishi Daikin etc. Over the road and sea going.
Phrase it anyway you want to: Bottom line is we are saying the same thing: Yes, heat is energy, hence the reason its called Heat energy. That is why I gave you the formula for heat load. You do not move heat...heat creates a difference in pressure through the expansion of molecules. Its not the larger the temperature difference, its the greater the pressure difference created by the heat that creates the "movement". If you are going to try to be a techno geek, try to understand the root causes to things include laws and the like.
Likewise if you are on such a quest for the best, you might want to expand your resources beyond the barren shelves of Home Depot, where merchandise is deliberately chosen to create the allusion of choice, while at the same time minimizing the number of skews inventoried, and essentially making the most mass marketed choice accepted.
You wrote, "What is a bigger factor is how do their other characteristics play in the installation. The best insulator that does not fit well into the space is not as good as the worst insulator that fits perfectly."
I absolutely agree with you here. Another reason to look beyond the conventional or Home Depot type products if you are truly hellbent on the ultimate solution. But then putting the ultimate solution into anything less than the ultimate vehicle isn't that sort of pointless?
You also wrote, "I personally don't like foam board of any type. If moisture gets behind it for any reason, that moisture will not easily evaporate. I am especially leery of things that give off toxic fumes when they burn."
Agreed, Agreed and agreed twice again. Hence the reason I attempted to address the subjects of installation, moisture barriers, and air sealing and air exchanges and also why I provided you with a reference source for expanding your knowledge and understanding of the matter.
Nonetheless you state you don't intend to use moisture barriers, you make no mention of air sealing and you clearly pay no attention to air exchanges, so clearly you are not going to create the ultimate insulation environment, so all of the rest of the discussion is just rather pointless.
As you responded to my comments about engineers, you've clarified my justification of the comment with your own statement of, "I did Transport Refrigeration for over 30 years. I was a Reefer Mechanic. Carrier Thermo-King, Mitsubishi Daikin etc. Over the road and sea going."
Based on "protocol" you simply implement what the engineers determine, and spec regardless of knowledge of your own. It would be like my saying "I know transport refrigeration because I was a truck loader at a refrigerated beverage plant (true) and a Tractor Trailer Reefer Driver (true) for over a million miles. So what? Neither puts you in the know on all matters or subjects, anymore than my being a Certified Energy Auditor, or DOH Energy Auditor, or a Certified Insulation Knowledge provider (all true). This isn't my first rodeo. I've also been the lead negotiator and captain of a few debate teams. What I really do? I learn more of what I've yet to learn each day.
Gents and ladies its been fun on this threat talking about insulation options, but what I've concluded is some seek answers, some seek confirmation, you seek arguments. Best of luck. I'm out.
Travel warm in your journey's and journey to warm places, but above all, travel safe.
