Dehumidifier ice's up, next to one that does not?

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you cando with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

Hi,
Unit is low on charge...
Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you cando with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

If the room temperature is close to 60, the coils may be frozen (completely encased in ice). If this is the case, move it where the water can drain off - about 1 gallon which may NOT run into the drain bucket.
I out mine over the floor drain.
Turn off and it will defrost over night.
Only specially made dehumidifiers work below a room temp of 60 degrees (the temp of a basement in winter).
Does it need to be running? A digital humidity sensor from Radio Shack is cheap and may tell you the humidity is OK - only 50% or less.

In areas with poor circulation and humidity over 80%.
If the room temperature is close to 60, the coils may be frozen (completely encased in ice). If this is the case, move it where the water can drain off - about 1 gallon which may NOT run into the drain bucket.
I out mine over the floor drain.
Turn off and it will defrost over night.
Only specially made dehumidifiers work below a room temp of 60 degrees (the temp of a basement in winter).
Does it need to be running? A digital humidity sensor from Radio Shack is cheap and may tell you the humidity is OK - only 50% or less.

I thnk you are expecting too much from your machine. DO NOT RUN IT WHEN IT IS FROZEN!

This is what I would do. Slow down the process. You shuld be agle to select the % humidity you seek. Set it high, say 90. Get another fan in your basement working to sirculate the air. When your machine has achieved this goal without excessive running and freezing, go to 85% or 80%. It may help if you direct a small fan at the coil that freezes.

Are you certain your machine drains properly? Hose to a sump pump? Is the sump pumping properly?

And lastly, you may want to add a second machine. I operate two in my basement and they keep it 50% in the summer. My basement is about 4000 cubic feet.

I hope this helps you

a

most likley low on freeon gets colder when it leaks out stat could be not working correctly

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you cando with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

Most dehumidifiers need warmer air to work properly. The temperature in a basement is usually 60 - 65F; too cool for standard models. You could buy a "basement" dehumidifier. They're designed to work at lower temperatures; some as low as 40 F. Costs are about the same as a standard dehumidifier; you just have to find it.

For a cheap fix, try this; it seems to be working for me.

Since the condensate coil (the one icing up) is cold, the air entering it is too cool and the condensate frosts up the coil. Additional condensate freezes to the frost and before you know it, you've got a block of ice. Since the air coming out of the front is very warm take a large piece of cardboard around 6' x 3') and form a V. Placed it in front of the dehumidifier so it channels some of the warm air back to the rear where it warms the moist air up before it hits the cooling fins. It's helped keep the ice down.

If you want something attractive, any screen that redirects some of the air back to the rear will work. Just leave the top open so it doesn't get too hot and the some of the drier air gets out into the room.

expected? of course! this is not ur solution try draining all the water to the sewerage if u cant try to pump it out with a vacuum cleaner (that can pump water) or a pump then turn on the Dehumidifier every time it frosts turn it off untill it defrosts or u can heat up the basement with a bellower and the Dehumidifier wont frost