Split a dehumidifier in 2?

[d.swanson]

Has anyone ever tried to split a dehumidifier into two halfs - put the cabinet in the garage with bucket, fan and evaporator and outside put the pump, condenser and a fan, then link the two with flexible hoses?

It would almost be a "mini" mini-split air conditioner.

I have found that some dehumidifiers use R134A.

The Reason: My attached 2-car garage is well enough insulated that the summer temp doesn't get too high, but the humidity does; if I run a standard dehumidifier then it reduces the humidity but drives up the temp.

 

[PBCampbell]

It might be easier to just use a small window A/C.

 

[coyotehunter]

If you want to split the dehumidifier and have the space for it then you are well on your way for an actual mini split. Just saving you a headache unless you want to tinker with small appliance refrigeration

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You can do it, but it won't work as well. A dehumidifier uses heat from the condenser to decrease the RH of the air leaving the unit.

Tommy

 

[Showkey]

Average plain Jane dehumidifier is 400-600 watts.

Window AC unit might be 800-1400 watts.

Actual cooling power a dehumidifier is going to pretty low in “DIY mini split configuration”.

50 pound block of ice and fan might have a lot more cooling power .........except It would cause a moisture issue.

 

[rlitman]

You can do it, but it won't work as well. A dehumidifier uses heat from the condenser to decrease the RH of the air leaving the unit.

Tommy

There's that. Also, the coil will freeze up when it doesn't have warm air going over it.

 

[Showkey]

There's that. Also, the coil will freeze up when it doesn't have warm air going over it.

It won’t freeze cuz the room will be so warm ( from the lack of cooling ability).

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Average plain Jane dehumidifier is 400-600 watts.

Window AC unit might be 800-1400 watts.

Actual cooling power a dehumidifier is going to pretty low in “DIY mini split configuration”.

50 pound block of ice and fan might have a lot more cooling power .........except It would cause a moisture issue.

That would be 1/40th of a ton of cooling, 240 Btus. All it would do is make a puddle.

Tommy

 

[nadogail]

Sounds like it might be like the Titanic, a good idea but not really practical.

 

[Jeepster04]

This reminds of of an episode of the adventures of pete and pete. They put a humidifier and a dehumidifier face to face in their yard and they blew up.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Sounds like it might be like the Titanic, a good idea but not really practical.

Come to think of it, that covers almost all British vehicles...

Tommy