I have a stand-alone compressor-type dehumidifier that runs and sounds normal but doesn't extract humidity (no condensate is produced). Is it possible to get them repaired, and if so by whom - a refrigeration engineer? Is it likely to be economical (given the beast cost £100 and I could get a new one for that sort of price).
Assuming that the ambient conditions are suitable and correct, then it sounds as though the refrigerant has leaked out. Personally, I would buy a new one, which would have a warranty. It might be different if you were going to do it yourself.
I suspect the only cost effective repair would be a gas re-charge which you might be able to get from someone who recharges car aircon. Someone decent would probably give you a free check of the pressure.
That's an idea, thanks. I tried a local fridge guy who I thought was good but he's retired.
But if it's lost gas, presumably there's a leak somewhere, and a re-charge would leak away too.
Fridges last for years without needing to be recharged after all, and I assume dehumidifiers would use a similar compressor arrangement.
If you have a Polish fridge repair shop near you maybe its worth fixing..
however screwfix have one on offer for £99 atm.
The gas could take years to leak out again, or it could take hours depending on the size of the hole. If the repair guy spots the leak he may be able to fix it, at extra cost of course. He will guarantee nothing. There may be more than one leak .................
Cheap for a Polish fridge repair shop is that.
What gas do these things use nowadays?
Brian
Need to determine the probelm first. Do you hear the compressor run, or onl y the fan?
NT
oh FFS standby for the "expertise".... get ready to scour laybys for "commo n" parts.... see the wiki... ;>))
Jim K
+1
I've had one fail - it was a zener diode costing less that 10p on the control board, which meant the compressor was never switched on (which for this one has a 3 minute delayed start timer to prevent attempted restart whilst the system still has any dynamic back pressure from previous run).
What normally dies with old age is the fan motor bearings. The refrigeration part is normally quite reliable, just like with modern fridges. It's probably most vulnerable from being moved around and being tilted off vertical whilst being moved or being started without allowing the necessary standing time.
only the fan?
To save you time, the short answer is that if both fan and compressor run, yet no condensation, its BER (assuming a warm room not dry enough to bristl e with static). If those 2 arent both running, who knows without a proper f ault finding.
Re repair shops, I've long been more a fan of backstreet repairers where, a t least last time I looked, some repairs were still economic. That was a wh ile ago now. If you do go the professional repair route, I'd always insist on a free quote or walk away.
I've got a faulty dehumidifier sitting here now, a B&Q. Don't know whats am iss with it, and really havent got the time it would take, so this one's go ing to get dumped. Its a shame, but thats life sometimes. Not sure if its w orth keeping the fan, I've got too much electronic crap already.
NT
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