Dehumidifiers Again

Tim_Stokes

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I know there has been considerable discussion on this subject. Could someone please tell me which was the 'best buy' nominated in the Sailing Today review. By 'best' I mean the best cheapish one.

I have just bought a cheap one from Argos only to find when I got it home and opened it up that the main instructions say it only dehumidifies at 20 degreesC and above. On the box it said it operated between 5 to 35 degrees C. So it is going back in frustration!!

Many thanks in anticipation,

Tim
 

JeremyF

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ST Best Buy was Dry Buoy. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sces.co.uk>http://www.sces.co.uk</A> has them at £175. Ask for an exit hose to be fitted before shipment. They work down to feezing, apparently.

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ccscott49

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I don't think any dehumidifier will work below freezing, as they are only fridges themselves, so to speak, air is drawn over a cold plate, condenses and the moisture drips off that into a collection device or pipe to sink, dryer air is emitted on the other side. The ones that work below freezing, have a reverse cycle, which unfreezes the cold plate, to keep it working, but need sot be e-frosted by the reverse cycle regulary (?) Thats my understanding anyway, a bit like an air conditioner, in fact a lot like an air conditioner. in fact exactly like an air conditioner.
 

andyball

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NO!,NO!,NO!

NO !

The dry-buoy pictured on that site is the Widetech WDH101-P, a very good unit at low temps (I have two on the go)....and available at B&Q for £99.

The hose is a squeeze to fit (remove one of the casing screws to get more space), but for £75?, I'll come & fit it.<g>
 

bedouin

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Re: NO!,NO!,NO!

I have a couple of the B&Q units at home - and they are very effective there.

However note that according to the article there are differences between the models - specifically how they defrost. The £99 B&Q version really doesn't like running at low temperatures - the element soon gets frozen and the built-in defrost isn't really capable of defrosting it. I would recommend one with a better defrost for prolonged use at low temperatures - perhaps the Dry Bouy is one of those?
 

andyball

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Well...

I'm presuming that it's the same unit, since the site mentioned earlier, quotes make/model number- same as on the box of the B&Q one, which used to be £109 at BQ,now £99. Previous £99 model looked totally different.

Widetech spec makes no mention of "different " model 101 for low temp's...<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.newwidetech.com/WDH-101P-101B.htm>http://www.newwidetech.com/WDH-101P-101B.htm</A>

mine is v.good in an unheated garage
 

JeremyF

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Just be careful

The Dry Buoy has the following feature, which is why it works down to low temps.

This unit has hot gas defrost for low temperature operation.

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Tim_Stokes

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Re: Well...

I have looked on the B&Q website and their Widetech 10 litre dehumidifier for £99 does not mention anything about 'hot gas defrost'. Also the operating temperature is only 5C to 35C. They do not give any actual code number.

Their Widetech 12 litre one does have hot gas defrost and its operating temperature is Zero degrees C upwards. This is for £145.

May I ask if your £99 one has hot gas defrost? Also what is the stated operating temperature range?

Many thanks for your help.

Tim
 

andyball

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Re: Well...

Yes it has hot-gas defrost & yes, it works below 5C. Though none of 'em work anywhere near as well at low temps

I wouldn't know about code numbers on BQ website, but the number on sces site & on the BQ box is the same.

from my experience, I'd mistrust claimed temp ranges, my 1st purchase was £145 BQ with hot gas, O degree claim, worked really well, but NOT at low temps (obviously,it could have been a duffer) Took it back & got refund-bought WD-101 now v.happy., Box says 5-35 degree, but I'm not fussed,as long as it works.....+ not in the least convinced that widetech make special one for XM &/or whoever else is selling them at £175+

Above shows advantage of BQ ones,other than £76 less, if you don't like the way it works, take it back & say so, they'll refund the money (always works for me).

All imho, but given the price, ease of return/refund & the fact that they work.....?
 

ccscott49

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Re: Well...

Dehumidifiers will not work well or atall below freezing, because thats how they work, by lowering the incoming air temperature, until it condenses, then it ouputs dry air. if the element freezes and gets ice on it, it stops working, thats when the hot gas defrost comes in, it senses that condition, melts the ice and starts again, but because the element freezes up very quickly, it goes into defrost again, whilst it is defrosting, it doesn't de-humidify, ad infinitum.
 

AlanPound

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Re: Well...

...they don't have to work below freezing do they? (If below freezing, any moisture in the air will precipitate out as frost, and the air will essentially end up dry anyway)...

They only have to work *near* freezing...
 

tome

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Widetech 101P

My Widetech unit with hot gas defrost is described as "WDH-101P HGD" on the packaging box. I assume the HGD suffix is for the defrost model. It has 3 lights - run, tank full, and defrost. It's also marked with the name 'EHS Auamajor Ltd' of Manchester - perhaps they modify it to include the hot-gas defrost? I had it fitted with a hose to bypass the internal tank, as suggested elsewhere.

It worked really well on my last boat and I'm about to put it onboard the new one. Be interested to hear if the B&Q one has the defrost light?
 
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