Replies

1. 
   MrBill | Sep 02, 2003 03:46am | #1

   Ah,

    An air conditioning condensate pump would do the trick. It is like a miniature sump pump with its own sump etc.  About 10''L x 4"W x 4"H  Had to replace mine about a year ago, think it was about $40  Most of the Big Box stores should have them and it would be very easy to plumb it to the dehumidifier drain. Mine came with about a 5ft cord to plug it in to a 110v outlet. Mine pumps up about 4 ft then 12ft out to the outside wall of the house.

   Here is a link I found with some pictures:

   http://www.bellparts.com/parts/dept.asp?dept_id=29

   Hope this helps,

   BILL 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/1/2003 8:53:43 PM ET by MrBill

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Sep 02, 2003 05:01am | #2

   Bill -

   Thanks a bunch for the suggestion and link.

   Hadn't thought of the A/C pump, which we have in our attic.

   I'll have to see if this will work because the dimensions you give may be too big for the dehumidifier reservoir tank.

   Will go to the web site to see.

   Thanks again !

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Sep 02, 2003 01:46pm | #4

   Set the dehumidifier on a block and then let the tank drain to the resevoir on the condensate pump. No need to try to fit the condensate pump inside the dehumidfier. If the resevoir in the dehumdifier does not have a drain plug just drill a hole and silicoe in a piece of plastic tubing.

   Little Giant also makes condensate pumps.

   Dave

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Sep 02, 2003 04:05pm | #7

   re - Set the dehumidifier on a block and then let the tank drain to the resevoir on the condensate pump.

   ------

   Thanks for the suggestion.

   That does simplify things somewhat.

2. 
   jhausch | Sep 02, 2003 01:13pm | #3

   Try a tiny bilge pump and float switch.  The rule 500 is pretty small.  You will just have to run it with DC . . .

   Steelkilt Lives!
3. 
   rjw | Sep 02, 2003 03:05pm | #5

   Or ... set the humidifier high enough to drain into that sink you mentioned.

   _______________________

   http://www.medic37.net/prayer.shtml

   Your mileage may vary ....

1. 
   ahneedhelp | Sep 02, 2003 03:16pm | #6

   re - set the humidifier high enough to drain into that sink

   -----

   I had considered that but in a basement doesn't it help to have the dehumidifier working at the lowest possible point ?

   I may be under the misconception that humidity settles down.

   I am all ears if someone can enlighten me on this.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 02, 2003 05:48pm | #9

   As surprising as it sounds humid air is less dense than dry air.

   However, unless this air has 20 ft ceilings, which most basements don't have, the fan in the dehumidifier should keep the air mixed up.

4. 
   rasconc | Sep 02, 2003 04:21pm | #8

   I picked up a dehumidifier for a customer the other day and it had a tube that you put in to replace the reservoir.  Most have a knockout to attach a hose.  I added a condensate pump that I picked up for $38 at local a/c supply house.  If you have any reasonable air circulation I would not worry about mounting the DH high enough to drain into a sink.  Most of the older DH's blew enough air around that it should stay stirred up enough.

5. 
   IMERC | Sep 02, 2003 09:49pm | #10

   Went to http://www.johnstonesupply.com and they had a nice collection of condensate pumps.

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

6. 
   ahneedhelp | Sep 08, 2003 04:36pm | #11

   Thanks for the tips.

   Sitrring up the air, if that's adaquate, will make life a lot easier.

   I do use a series of box fans (the cheap window fans) to move air around between different parts of the basement.

   As for tieing into the A/C condensate line, I'm afraid that's not possible.

   Only the main floor is air conditioned with the components residing in the attic. I did want a return added in the basement for dehumidification purposes but there wasn't an ideal location for the ducting without major demolition involved.

   We've been taking care of perimeter drainage and other details over the years with noticeable difference in the basement.

   Emptying the bucket requires maybe one trip to the basement once every two days or so during the summer months and we expect it to get better. We did have a very very wet summer this year.

   Next project is sealing up the remaining walls in the utility room, which is still with bare cinderblock - probably with enough porosity to allow humidity to build up.

7. 
   marv | Sep 08, 2003 11:19pm | #12

   You guys are making this a huge project.

   Buy a dehumidifier with an optional drain hose (most come this way).  Put in on the basement floor with the hose going to the floor drain or set it on top of the laundry sink and let it drain away.

   You can then let it run for a year if you wanted to.