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Dehumidifiers, the Good, Bad, and Ugly?
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=15012		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  BlackHeart [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:57 am ]
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Ok Im looking at a dehumidfier in the below $350.00 range. Ive been cruzin ebay for a 'barely used' one also,(buyer beware, used electrical items are generally a no no). THis is for reasearch on who has what, what works, after 2-3 years still working? etc. Ive read some 'marketing ' info that those under $150.00 are just all junk and will break down after 3 weeks etc etc. but its ALL made in China, so Im not buying that line in total. Also, if they have a 1 year warrantee etc?


What have you got, do you like it, whats the power draw if you know it. what was crap.


 


My Humidity was well controlled, never had any potato chip issues, but I'll be in a basement workshop and its average 55%.


 


thanks
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:27 am ]
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I can't remember what kind mine is (I'll look when I get home tonight.), but it sure seems to work fine.  It is relatively quiet, and it really sucks the water out of the air when the humidity is high.  I was able to maintain 42 - 50% during days when it was 90% and 90* outside.  The problem was the heat it generated.  I got it at Home Depot, and it was sort of the middle of the range.  2 speed with a built in digital humidistat and control that shows where it is set, and what the humidity is(according to the machine).  You have to fudge the setting to offset the error.  I think RobertD has the same one I do, and it sure got his humidity down.
Author:  David Collins [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:35 am ]
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I have three dehumidifiers, all Kenmores. One 80's, one 90's and one
recent model. I don't know the sizes or ratings, but they're all probably in
the 60-70 pt/day range. The two older ones work great, though I had to
have the 90's one recharged once and the hygrometer tends to stick, not
wanting to shut off when the humidity drops. I'll have to replace that
control by next summer. That's the one I use in my shop, and it handles
an 1100 square foot basement just fine most of the summer, then used in
conjunction with an air conditioner in the hotter months. The 80's
Kenmore works just as well, but it's louder and I just keep it around for a
backup.

The recent Kenmore is the same size as the 90's one, but it's an Energy
Star version and it sucks. I buy most of my other appliances Energy Star
rated, and try to conserve in plenty of other ways, but this seems to be
one appliance that just needs more energy to do it's job. It is otherwise
near identical to my non-Energy Star version, and pulls less then half as
much water out of the air when set side by side. I would have to run two
of the Energy Star models to draw almost as much moisture as the
conventional model, and since I don't think they cut the power draw in
half it really comes out to a not-so-green solution.
Author:  James Orr [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:47 am ]
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Thanks for starting this topic. I've also been wondering which unit to get,
so I'll be keeping my on it.
Author:  Bill Greene [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:07 am ]
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I bought the Kenmore unit too. And like David, the humidity sensor in mine has quit, twice. I took the first unit back within a week, and the second unit worked well for about 3 months, then stuck on "high".

I'd go with some brand other than the Kenmore if I had to do it all over again...that's for sure.

Bill
Author:  FishtownMike [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:21 am ]
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Yeah I need to get one for my dungeon basement workshop. Something i noticed the other day had me thinking. I usually store my wood under a couple of workbenches on the lower shelves. My humidity gauges are hung on the wall at eye level. Usually humidity is about somewhere in the 40 to 45% range in the winter and 50 to 70 or higher in the summer. I all so have a little portable gauge that i can place anywhere. Well i placed it under the bench on the wood shelf and i was suprised that the humidity was 10% higher under there then at benchtop hight. Now im wondering if i have to rethink were i store my wood. I know i'm defenitly gonna need a dehumidifier for the summer though. My woodworking slacks off in the summer usually because im busy at work but i'm gonna try to squeeze more in this year.
Author:  jhowell [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:06 am ]
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I bought an Emerson a little over three years ago on sale at the Borg for about $80.  Its rated for 2500 sq. ft. which means it does my approx 1000 sq. ft. basement fairly decently.  It does not have a humidity sensor as such.  It has a sliding scale to increase the level of water in the well that houses the wicks and a four speed fan.  It has run non-stop for the past three winters.  The drawback is that it uses paper wicks which need to be replaced about twice a winter.  It puts about six gallons of water per day into the air. 


When it comes time to replace, it will be with a Venta from Germany:


http://www.venta-airwasher.com/


They are a little spendy, but just think Festool and $40/yr for wicks.


 
Author:  FishtownMike [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:27 am ]
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When it comes to a humidifier i prefer the steam type. No wicks to replace and no mold buildup in the humidifier as can occur with the cool mist type.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:26 pm ]
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Mine is an LG-45, and it seems to work great.  I have only had it about 9 months though.  It was taking about 4+ gallons of water a day out of my shop, and kept it at acceptable levels even under the worst conditions.  My shop, though, is only about 29 'x 9', so not a lot of square feet. The unit is reasonably quiet, and has a hose connection, but I was using the water to water plants because of the drought here, so I didn't hook up to the drain.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:31 pm ]
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P.S.  I paid about $170 for it.
Author:  BlackHeart [ Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:26 pm ]
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On ebay this seems to be fairly prevelent, about 175.00 $ with shipping.


DeLonghi 40 Pint


 


Waddy, what is an 'LG-45?


 
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:12 am ]
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LG Electronics is a really big company that makes all kinds of appliances.  Refrigerators, AC's, TV's, Computer Monitors, cell phones and all matter of digital electronic equipment and home appliances.  You find their stuff all over, Home Depot, Best Buy, Circuit City, Various Appliance Stores, etc.  Quality is usually reasonably good.  I also have one of their cell phones through Verizon, and it is great.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:12 am ]
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Here is a link to their product site.
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