Dehumidifier position

[Mickyfinn]

I can put my dehumidifier on the galley worktop draining into the sink, or on the floor draining down the log hole up forward.
Does anyone know if height makes any difference? (Of course making sure the drain pipe runs downhill). Does damp air sink or rise, or neither?

 

[johnalison]

I have used both positions and I don't think there is much difference. My current one, a desiccant, has a fan anyway which moves the air around. I used to drain into the sink but it was a bit in the way when we went down to spend time on board so I now drain it into the bilge, which I pump out occasionally. You might think that this would just recycle the bilge water but it doesn't, especially as I close over the area.

 

[lw395]

The warm air will have a higher moisture content. You will probably get more water out of the system with the dehumidier higher up.
But some fans moving the air around really help. We have a few 12V computer fans. A grille on each side and mounted on clips so they move air around lockers and cabins.

 

[Mickyfinn]

Well what’s not something I’d thought of...... warm air higher up will have greater moisture content.
I’ve just changed a condenser type for a desiccant type ....... it’s like a fountain !!!!

 

[jwilson]

I have used both positions and I don't think there is much difference. My current one, a desiccant, has a fan anyway which moves the air around. I used to drain into the sink but it was a bit in the way when we went down to spend time on board so I now drain it into the bilge, which I pump out occasionally. You might think that this would just recycle the bilge water but it doesn't, especially as I close over the area.

One of the good things about running a dehumidifier is that it keeps the inside of the GRP hull dry, helping dry out the GRP. Water gets into GRP both from the outside and inside: in fact on boats built with fancy modern gelcoats probably faster from the inside, and even faster with fresh water than with salt. Water absorption by GRP is very very slow, but it does often eventually cause problems, and everything you can do to minimise it is good.

I'm assuming your boat is GRP - fresh water in a wooden boat bilge is really bad.

Of course the ideal environment for a GRP boat is ashore in a dark dry heated shed, but unfortunately they do have to get wet occasionally