Replies

1. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 21, 2009 02:00am | #1

   Are you running state-of-the-art dust collection at each machine as well as ambient filtration?

1. 
   lenw | Jan 21, 2009 04:37am | #2

   I do have dust collection, 1-1/2 hp collector w/ single hose that I use on the machines as well as ambient filtration.

   The dehumidifier is located on the floor and gets exposed to dust, but not what seems like a large amount of dust.

   When I opened the back of the unit up (after it stopped working) I found a fair amount of dust at the fan motor which is why I suspect the dust had something to do w/ the problem.

    

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jan 21, 2009 06:22am | #3

   It doesn't take much dust to clog the buggers up.  Take the cover off and blow with air pressure or pressure washer at least once a year.  Mine was hardly a year old and I haven't used the shop much when it became inefficient.  Work on it before the motor burns up.

2. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 21, 2009 02:25pm | #4

   The build up in the dehumidifier is your warning that the dust collection you do have isn't working well enough.  Add another ambient unit. 

   Is your furnace downstairs?  Blower?

    

    

1. 
   lenw | Jan 24, 2009 06:22am | #5

   Thanks for the replies.

   I think I have to approach this from two points.

   1st, look at the dust collection and make some improvements

   2nd, preform some preventative maintenance on the dehumidifier in the form of opening the unit up periodically and vacuuming / blowing any dust out.

   And, yes, my furnace and blower are in the basement however they are in a separate room and the dust has never been a problem as it never reaches that area.

   Thanks again for the help.

   Len

1. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 24, 2009 01:26pm | #6

   Most people make the mistake of turning off the ambients along with the lights when they leave after a shop session.

   You need an hour or so at least of 'after-run' to let them do their job on the suspended dust particles.  Forget their CFM rating.  Let 'em run.  Trust me.

    

2. 
   lenw | Jan 24, 2009 10:36pm | #7

   I usually leave mine on for a 1/2 hour after. I'll be letting it run at least an hour now.

   Thanks again.

3. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 25, 2009 04:04pm | #10

   Run a ceiling fan to keep the dust moving around until the ambients can take it out.  I'm sure you probably need two units.  For obvious reasons, you can't have too many really.

   I don't guess it's possible for air to be too clean.

   Edited 1/25/2009 8:04 am ET by TaunTonMacoute

2. 
   dkellernc | Jan 25, 2009 06:37am | #8

   Well, one pertinent question is whether it's the fan motor or the compressor motor.  If it's the compressor, dust doesn't have anything to do with it - the entire thing is sealed in most units, much as they are in a refrigerator.

3. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jan 25, 2009 09:09am | #9

   Are you sure that the unit is burned up.  Do they just quit dehumidifying?  If the latter, it is probably just the radiator that is plugged up but you would still hear it running - just no water produced.  Take all the cowling off and blow all the dust out of the radiator.  Changes a non-working unit into a new one in short order.  BTW, you shouldn't be using a dehumidifier this time of year.  Once you turn on the heat, the relative humidity should go way down  (even to the point of needing to add some moisture) until you turn the heat off in the spring time.  Disclaimer:  I am assuming that you are located in the North temperate latitude.

1. 
   lenw | Jan 25, 2009 11:03pm | #11

   It does appear to be the fan motor. The compressor is sealed and dust should not be an issue there.

   I've got it opened up so I'll take a look at the radiator for dust build up.

   It runs a little bit during the winter. Being in coastal CT I do have some damp weather in the winter. It was a while back when the problem was noticed, before the cold weather set in, so it did spend some time running.

   My first clue there was a problem was it started to sound different when running and then there was that "burnt motor" odor.

    

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jan 26, 2009 01:30am | #12

   If you smell that burnt motor smell, it is definitely an electrical problem.  If the unit is less than a year old it might be under warrantee.  Otherwise, a fan motor could be replaced though it might not be worth it.

2. 
   Tinkerer3 | Feb 02, 2009 04:10am | #14

   It runs a little bit in the winter.  Being in coastal Ct, I do have some damp weather in the winter.  I have reread your post and got to wondering if you run the dehumidifier in the cold.  If it is below about fifty degrees dehumidifiers tend to freeze up.  I see the possibility where it could build up so much ice that it would stop the fan motor and burn it out.  At any rate when it starts to freeze it isn't going to dehumidify very much.  It is very difficult to remove moisture from cold air.

   On the other hand, if you have a heated shop, you shouldn't need to dehumidify.  I dehumidify my shop in the summer but when it turns cold and I turn on the heat the otherwise relative humidity of 70% immediately goes down to the 30's %.  Sometimes you may want to put a little moisture back in the air to acclimate your lumber.  You shouldn't need to lower the relative humidity more than to 50%.

4. 
   John500 | Jan 26, 2009 06:39pm | #13

   I had the same problem with my dehumidifier. Now I turn the dehumidifier off and cover it up when I am in the shop doing anything that will raise dust. If I am only using hand tools no action is necessary. After I am done I let the dust settle and uncover it and turn it back on. The dehumidifier does most of its work while I am not in the shop. I have not had any problems since taking this approach.