Automatic dehumidifier for garage in freezing conditions

[rodm1]

Is there a stand alone dehumidifier for garage that can work in freezing conditions? I would like something that doesn't need monitoring and comes on when needed that won't freeze the water drain line.

 

[mikedodge]

Dehumidifiers usually don't work below a certain temperature, before it gets to a point that it would risk feezing the drain line.

 

[rodm1]

But the water in the system will still freeze and crack the piping I would think.

 

[pcmeiners]

In freezing condition how much moisture do you think is in the air ?

 

[Jeepster04]

In freezing condition how much moisture do you think is in the air ?

This. The air cannot support much moisture when its that cold.

 

[mikedodge]

But the water in the system will still freeze and crack the piping I would think.

Its still above freezing when dehumidifiers stop working. There's no water to freeze because it won't be doing anything.

 

[mm08822]

This. The air cannot support much moisture when its that cold.

That's why we use humidifiers in the winter months.

OP, pitch the drain line so it gravity drains. When humid (summer), run an extra fan in the garage to help move more air than the humifier alone can move.

 

[PoorUB]

But the water in the system will still freeze and crack the piping I would think.

What water? If the air temp is below freezing it will not condense on the cooling coils in the humidifier. It can't remove moisture from 32F air, it simply can not work. You will not have to worry about condensate freezing because there will not be any.

A standard dehumidifier will not work at 40, maybe 50 degrees. It will quit working long before the air temp reaches 32F!

 

[Fav Onefour]

Shouldn't need a trap for a dehumidifier drain.
The comments about it not working in cold temps are correct. They work by producing condensate that will run away in liquid form. There are number of reasons that doesn't work in cold. Manufacturers don't design and size systems for that process in residential applications.
In theory, you would need to heat and then produce condensate.
BTW, there is surprisingly high ability for cold air to hold RH moisture. It's just not a big deal in most cases.

 

[cannuck]

it is right that there is little moisture in air below freezing (there is actually some but not very much) but where the problem comes with bare steel stored in an unheated area is when the metal gets cold but the air warms up (sun through the windows) the moisture condenses on the cold metal surfaces as frost. If it stays warm long enough, the metal warms up and if bare steel will rust a bunch. Same thing happens with stuff stored outside - only there the moisture available to condense is virtually endless.

Don't ask me how I know this (and why I spend so much on Cosmoline).