Old dehumidifers worth fixing?

[bsmtfullofsuds]

Fedders model DHF1760 rescued from crusher. Have been planning on buying a dehumidifier for the basement for awhile.

Motor shot, got it running by squirting 30W oil in the bearings, runs but noisy and doesnt want to start, sits & hums awhile till blades pushed. Compressor seems to work fine, coils get hot / cold, plenty of water in the drip pan.

Runs constant, till humidistat turned to 1 or below. Stamped 73-12, maybe mfg 1973 that would makes sense with styling and mixed-case-typeface on panel. Have removed the plastic front cover which is non-flame-retardant, when corner lit remains aflame unlike modern plastics that go out when flame removed. Rest of unit is metal.

Worth a new motor, or completely obsolete compared to a new Energy Star-rated unit?

 

[christfr]

try

is there a grangers in your area? or on the web sometime they have motors that will fit your application or just hunt around at estate sales for another unit

 

[chad_hauris]

Sometimes just adding oil will not cure the problem...I have had success with small motors by disassembling and thoroughly cleaning the bearings and then re-lubricating. Just adding oil will not remove accumulated gummy grease from the bearings. There is not much torque from fan motors so they often cannot overcome the friction caused by gummy lubricant.

As a test, how freely do the blades spin with the unit off? If there is resistance there is a problem. A worst case scenario would be scored/seized sleeve bearings which would mean a new motor needed but check for gumminess first.