Replies

1. 
   coonass | Jul 05, 2002 01:22am | #1

   Alan,

   If this uses freon and the freon charge is low this could cause icing. I am not familiar with dehumidifiers but assume they work similar to AC. Look for oily-dirty spot on coils and lines.

   KK

2. 
   CloudHidden | Jul 05, 2002 02:41am | #2

   The one time mine froze was when the condensate line was clogged with dirt and dust (mostly from construction), didn't drain, and then pooled and froze. Defrosted the unit, cleaned the pan and tube and it's been fine since.

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Jul 05, 2002 03:33am | #3

   Thanks for the replies -

   The symptom points to dirty/clogged fins.

   However, I thought I did a thorough job examining the air passage through the coils/fins. I must have missed something.

   Freon should be fine - otherwise it wouldn't be turning into a solid block of ice.

   Time to take it apart again,

   Thanks, folks.

   Alan

1. 
   4Lorn1 | Jul 05, 2002 04:02am | #4

   I think that Ahneedhelp is on the right track. Check any louvers, filters and fans for operation and cleanliness. My understanding is that some (Most?) of these units don't have a pressure controlled valve only a fixed orifice. The orifice is sized to handle a set air flow. If this flow is restricted the coil can get so cold that humidity freezes after condensing instead of dripping down. That's my guess and I'm sticking with it.

1. 
   junkhound | Jul 05, 2002 04:44am | #5

   I'd put money on 4lornn's  prognosis - clean it again.

   PS- the obvious - is the fan runnign????

   Edited 7/4/2002 9:45:19 PM ET by JUNKHOUND

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Jul 05, 2002 05:04am | #6

   I believe we're all agreeing on the same thing.

   One item I should point out is after about 2 years of operation it started clanging and banging.

   Took it apart and discovered the fan (screw) had loosened from the hub and was moving back and forth, sometimes hitting the fins....

   (one of Kenmore's higher end models with a slower fan mode for quiet operation.)

   All that was straightened out and it was then when I got to also inspect the fins and coils - they were very clean.

   This was last summer.

   I am going to take it apart for another thorough look.

   It must be something that is causing the condensate not to drip down and away fast enough.

   I will also check the drip pan that channels the water into the tank.

   The freezing seems to start from the lower coils and works its way up.

   If the pan area is getting frozen, nowhere for the water to go....

   Thanks, folks, for getting my thoughts together.

   I will report my findings.

   Alan

2. 
   ahneedhelp | Jul 05, 2002 05:09am | #7

   By the way....Yes, the fan is running.

   Good point, though, as I did fail to consider that.

   I have the exhaust end of the dehumidier aimed at the hotwater heater.

   A desparate measure to somehow take advantage of the otherwise obnoxious heat that the dehumidifier generates and sends up the basement stairwell, trapping it at the top of the stairs.

3. 
   cimarron8889 | Jul 05, 2002 05:18am | #8

   I believe that almost all dehumidifiers will ice up if run at temperatures below 60 degrees.  How cool is your basement?

2. 
   BossHog | Jul 05, 2002 02:24pm | #9

   "Freon should be fine - otherwise it wouldn't be turning into a solid block of ice."

   Not exactly - When a heat pump is short on coolant, it has less pressure on the evaporator side. Less pressure=lower temp, hence the freezing.

   That's what I think you should be looking at.

   Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Jul 05, 2002 03:24pm | #10

   Thank-you, Boss Hog -

   I kinda understand the theory behind heat pumps and and I'm going to have to take a few minutes to figure out how this relates to a dehumidifier.

   I guess the bottom line is it is possible some of the freon has leaked ? If I lower the humidistat a bit it doesn't get a chance to freeze up.

   I'm wondering if it is common for dehumidifiers to be recharged or if they are simply junked for a new one. I believe mine was purchased in 1997.

   My parents has had a Kenmore unit that is going on 25 years and continues to do its thing and never needed any servicing.

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 05, 2002 04:08pm | #11

   A dehumidifier is basically a small heat pump, or air conditioner. (Except the hot side of the coils aren't outside)

   I suspect that some of the freon HAS leaked out - Particularly since the fan came loose at some point in time. Doesn't take much of a nick for the stuff to leak out slowly.

   I have no idea if you can recharge them or not - Guess it depends on the manufacturer and whether or not they put fittings in it to hook up to.

   If you go to a bookstore and ask a salesperson where the self-help section is, doesn?t that defeat the purpose?

2. 
   ahneedhelp | Jul 05, 2002 04:25pm | #12

   Go figure - and the warranty has long expired.

   No sense in recharging if there is a leak.

   I do appreciate shedding light on that possibility.

   Since the fins/tubes are clean and I just examined the drip pan, which is also clean, I'm reluctantly facing the prospects of scrapping the unit eventually.

   I'll contact Sears anyway but with no expectations.

   Thanks again,

   Alan

3. 
   DaveRicheson | Jul 06, 2002 12:58am | #13

   Boss is probably right. A dehumidifier is a refrigerant system. Low charge= frozen evaporator coils if there are no other restrictions.

   It is probably not worth the cost of locating and repairing a leak. If you purchase a new one, be sure to ask if they will take your old one off of your hands for proper recovery of the freon and diposal of the compressor oil. It is worth the few extra $$ to have it recovered and handled correctly. There is a $10,000.00 fine for free venting freon to the atmosphere, and it all goes to the guy that turns someone in. Make it someone elses' problem.

   Dave