Broken Dehumidifier

[supersurgilator]

I work in my college's library and they installed a dehumidifier a couple of months ago in the copy room. It is an older Kenmore model from 1989. I noticed a couple of days ago the compressor stopped running. After turning the humidistat to a drier setting, I hear it click, but the compressor never kicks in. My question is is there something internally that may need cleaned or has the compressor just konked out? I have no idea how much use it has seen in it's life, but it has been running 24/7 for the past 2 months since they installed it.

 

[toggleswitch2]

1- Does the outlet have power? Is it perhaps controlled by a wall-switch? Has the circuit-breaker tripped?

2-I'm guessing the water drains out via a hose. Some dehumdifiers drain the water from the bucket via a hose and other bypass it (the bucket)completely. So one needs to be sure there is NO water in the bucket, and that it is properly being drained away. (No kinks or dirt in the drain hose)

3- If there is a bucket is it properly seated/positioned to contact the "I"m still empty and it's ok to run" switch?

4- If there is no bucket is same switch properly bypassed?

5-If the fan burnt out, one would think the compressor would still run.

6- If the compressor burnt out one would think the fan would still run.

 

[douglasdc6]

Still a number of things to check .

Check the following.

1. Check compressor run capacitor is it bulged?
2. Is compressor getting power?
3. As mentioned above is fan runing?
4. Rotory compressors have an overload protector under the
terminal cap - Is the overload protector in the closed
position ?
5. Are any terminal wires burn off?
6. If all check out - connect amp meter to compressor terminal wires to see if it over amps & tries to start before tripping the overload - If attempts are not succesful - bad compressor .

The newer units have rotory compressors whitch have a short life.

 

[supersurgilator]

I forgot to mention but yes the fan is still running fine, just the compressor doesn't kick in. I will take a look at the drain hose, but would assume that it is fine since it has been running this way for awhile now without any problems. Again this unit is 20 years old, but I don't know how much usage it has recieved in its lifetime.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I had this problem about a month ago

I though the Whirl-crap unit was shot. Then I decided that nothing would be lost if I tore into it. What I found was dust had totally packed the condensor and the compressor was overheating and turning off.

It took about ten minutes to clean with the trusty Kirby and reassemble. Now I am dehumidifying like never before.

Moral of the story, It is already isn't working. It won't hurt anything to tear it apart.

 

[circlew]

Air may be too cool or too dry

Now that it's Fall, the temp or humidity in the room may be to low to activate the compressor. I have a couple dehumidifiers that the fan will run, but not the compressor if the temp falls below about 65, or if the air doesn't need dehumidification. Special models are available for use in these conditions.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Also when the room temperature is near or below 65*F, the frost sensor will frequently stop the compressor until the evaporator coil defrosts, and the cycle begins again.

My Whirlpool brand unit was in a "self-destruct" mode when the compressor would cycle off due to the frost sensor, but quickly come back on before a 3-minute delay. This caused the compressor to overheat and go into thermal overload. With refrigeration devices there needs to be a 3-minute delay before restarting, or else the compressor can't fight the pressure in the system that has not equalized.