[Shop-talk] Dehumidifier suddenly freezing up

[Jim Franklin]

Thanks Randall.

I figured it was shot given it beat the crap out of itself iced up for 5 weeks
while I was away, but where does the freon *go*? Small leaks too expensive to
fix at manufacturing?

I have the best though temporary solution right now, borrowed one from a
friend. :-)

jim

On Jul 12, 2012, at 4:44 PM, Randall wrote:

> 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
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