[Shop-talk] Dehumidifier suddenly freezing up

[Randall]

My experience has been that, by the time an appliance like this is so low on
Freon that people notice, the compressor is worn out from running
continuously without enough lubrication.  In addition, you are probably
going to want to change refrigerant types (you can't buy R12 or R22 without
a license and you wouldn't be asking here if you had the license :)  And the
system most likely will not have service fittings.

So now you are stuck cutting open the system, replacing the compressor and
the orifice, plus (probably) a drier, and adding a pair of service fittings.
Then you'll need your manifold and gauge set, plus a good vacuum pump, to
evacuate the system and charge it with the appropriate amount of refrigerant
and (possibly) oil.  We'll assume for the sake of simplicity that there
isn't any Freon left in the system, since otherwise you will also need a
recovery system (and a license).  

I didn't try pricing a small replacement compressor, but they tend to cost
nearly as much or even more than the original unit, because so many people
have taken a markup (and replacements are frequently better quality than the
originals).  And you're talking probably $500 worth of tools on top of the
compressor, orifice, drier, fittings, etc.

Or, for under $250, you can just buy a new dehumidifier.  This one seems
like it answers your complaint:
http://goo.gl/I2Un0

If I read the ad copy correctly, it will run continuously until either the
air reaches the set humidity level, or the bucket is full.  And you can
plumb it to a drain (or sump pump) so you don't have to worry about the
bucket being full.  (Amazon has the same unit for less with free shipping.)

-- Randall