Dehumidifier whose coil freezes

[nbpt100]

I have a GE 40 pint dehumidifier whose coil freezes.

Is this repairable from a practical point of view.?

What might the issue(s)be?

Thanks

 

[larry4406]

Watching as well. I have similar issue with a hand me down unit.

Poor air flow thru coil due dust/debris accumulation?

 

[Boilerhouse]

Watching as well. I have similar issue with a hand me down unit.

Poor air flow thru coil due dust/debris accumulation?

That's what I did, blew out the coils and the everything returned to normal.

 

[FMC]

there are low temp units made for basements and crawl spaces, the unit is fine but the environment is beyond its rating. look it up on line and check its freeze point

 

[MUD DAWG]

I have a GE 40 pint dehumidifier whose coil freezes.

Is this repairable from a practical point of view.?

What might the issue(s)be?

Thanks

Sounds like you're talking about the evaporator coil. Is the freezing all over? Or just a spot at a corner, or maybe the top row? Post a picture of you can.

If it's a low refrigerant charge, then chances are very good it won't be worth fixing. I went through a year ago, and even with me doing the work, it was better to buy a new one.

 

[firebirdparts]

It's November. Mine does not have any controls at all to prevent freezing, and you'd need some if you are going to prevent it freezing in November. So for mine, anyway, it's just a design issue.

I see FMC touched on this as well.

If you have it in well-heated space it ought to do better, but if not you could still keep it clean and turn it off for a few hours a week.

 

[stikman56]

The standard ones freeze at 65 degrees. Low temp ones can be bought though.

 

[ambenz]

Usually they're low on freon when the coil freezes.
Best to just buy a new one...not worth the cost to repair.
Most dehumidifiers are made to throw away upon failure.
Just over $100 for a new one.

 

[yeldogt]

If it only freezing along one part of the evaporator -- it's low on refrigerant and is not worth fixing.

If the whole thing is freezing over because ........ it could be too cold in the space ---you need a low temp unit.

 

[rmanrman]

I have gone through this 3x over a 7 Years. Tried three different brands and all three after 2-3 yrs started to freeze up due to low refrigerant gas
Drove one unit under warranty 1 hour to the **** part of town. Got it back in three weeks as a reconditioned unit not mine. Did not last 3 months then froze over. This was the best Lg model. The problem is the units have aluminum coils built with chinesium **** parts and not repairable. The biggest problem in my town in nj is you need a certified ac guy to evacuate a empty unit for $35 to get a certificate so the town dump will take it. I’ll be looking for a commercial model even for $1000 is better than buying every 2-3 Years another pos

 

[Showkey]

Buy a humidistat, measure the amount of humidity ........in the heating season, very likely there is no need to be running a dehumidifier.

A decent dehumidifier is no longer $100.........much closer to $200-$300 and the commercial models can be $1000 or more.

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Thermastor - Santa Fe - Compact 2 Crawl Space Dehumidifier - 70 pints/day @ AHAM - 4033600
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http://www.dehumidifierweb.com

 

[rburke65]

That would be the day that I'd pay $35. They would take it away little piece by little piece each week.

 

[nbpt100]

I ran it out side just to test it on a 60 Degree day. the bottom of the coil freezes first and it slowly migrates up. After a couple of hours 3/4 of the coil was frosted.

I have owned 3 or 4 dehumidifiers and ran them in the basement year round. I have never had this issue.
A suitable new replacement is about $200 or more.

How do I know if it is low on refrigerant? I have automotive A/C guages but not one for this kind of refrigerant or its fittings.

 

[MUD DAWG]

I ran it out side just to test it on a 60 Degree day. the bottom of the coil freezes first and it slowly migrates up. After a couple of hours 3/4 of the coil was frosted.

I have owned 3 or 4 dehumidifiers and ran them in the basement year round. I have never had this issue.
A suitable new replacement is about $200 or more.

How do I know if it is low on refrigerant? I have automotive A/C guages but not one for this kind of refrigerant or its fittings.

You don't have a low charge issue. So now you could have one of three problems.

1) The compressor is running too long.
2) Low air flow into the evaporator, which could be caused by a restriction, or a dying fan that isn't spinning fast enough anymore.
3) You could have a defective defrost controller (if it's equipped with one)

And I've never had an issue with dehumidifiers in the basment. All of mine came with digital temp control and hygrometer. I leave them plugged in year round.

 

[yeldogt]

Actually -- I think he does have a low refrigerant problem. That's exactly how it happens -- the unit is designed for the coil to drop under the dew point ... it's not designed to work as a freezer. The low temp units allow for a colder coil.

I have a couple Santa Fe units -- unless you have really cheap electric rates running one of the smaller units w/tank will cost a lot to operate. The commercial units can remove more water -- they don;t run mush after the initial period to get the humidity down.

Like refrigerators -- these units are sealed and don't have service ports to check the refrigerant charge. The cost to install the ports -- recharge the unit .. exceeds the value.

 

[Showkey]

Service ports are available on Amazon and many other locations often less than $3.00 piecing type shown below, there are also braze in versions and other crimp techniques.

http://www.sustainablesupply.com/Su...t7CSAYxmCNUmvz_IDENvi6Ze3rmWSqpxoC_9QQAvD_BwE

There are multiple YouTube videos on dehumidifier service tips and tricks. Years back I tried and was susccussful topping off refrigerant.

Service is exactly the same as working on freezer or refrigerator and similar to automotive AC work as far as equipment, pressures and precautions etc.

 

[flan]

The last one I bought from Home Depot comes with a 5year closed system warranty. If you replace, look for one like that.

 

[kbs2244]

If it is a low air flow problem could a small, computer type, fan be set up to blow across the fins?
I would expect a small, 2 inch, would be enough.
Most computer shops will have a garbage can full of them.

Wire I so it comes on with the compressor.

 

[nbpt100]

I have not had any time to take a look at the fan and air flow issues.

If I do try to charge it my self I believe I would need two of those piercing valves. One for the high and one for the low sides? correct?

I have some cans of R134a that i have used on cars. I think these use something else correct? Just thinking ahead should I need to go this route.

 

[Showkey]

Yes two valves would be nice but not critical..........the unit will be labeled on the refrigerant type.

 

[CJ7VFR]

The coils on the back of my basement dehumidifier will get frost on them when the temperature in the basement gets below 65 degrees and I run the unit.

At 66 degrees or above it does not do it. So when you guys are saying it may be temperature related, I can agree with that.

Jim