Dehumidifiers on Boats Question.

[kyleview]

I keep hearing that they can be a problem on boats - going on fire - which you see/read about 1/2 times a year, even during the summer months. I have run them at home and on the boat for years with no problem, also never read in the newspapers about houses going on fire as a result of a dehumidifier fault.

Why is it boats are so prone to being a problem, even during the summer months. I can sort of rationalise there could be a problem in winter months with frost / icing up/ etc but during the summer? Also some comments about being "unattended" do not make sense to me - they are either running or not until they go up in smoke!

All input appreciated.

 

[Jamesuk]

We run two, one in the forward heads and one in the aft heads while the boat is in Greece in the Winter months. We are connected to shore power and we have had no problems. The boat has insurance.

 

[sarabande]

marina power supply can be a bit tricky with more surges, brownouts, and cuts than shore-based houses.

Dehumidifiers don't like quick voltage changes or short cuts, and the compressor unit can be tricked into switching on and off rapidly. This is not a Good Thing.

I used to leave a single engine room fire extinguisher (gas, not powder) above the dehumiddy, in the hope that if the DH overheated the fuse would blow and the extinguisher would trip.

 

[deuc02]

Run a dehumidifier in the winter and the boat spends most of the time alone. No problems.

 

[kyleview]

Run a dehumidifier in the winter and the boat spends most of the time alone. No problems.

That's my experience for 10+ years and no problems. But a Malo in Kip got written off 3 years ago, also a HR in Largs just last month (both on the hard) from the dehumidifer going on fire!

I am sort of relaxed, but there is a lingering question in my mind as to why yachts seem to have this problem.

 

[PhilipF]

I keep hearing that they can be a problem on boats - going on fire - which you see/read about 1/2 times a year, even during the summer months.
Why is it boats are so prone to being a problem, even during the summer months. I can sort of rationalise there could be a problem in winter months with frost / icing up/ etc but during the summer? Also some comments about being "unattended" do not make sense to me - they are either running or not until they go up in smoke!

All input appreciated.

Interesting post. Seems as though this might (boat catching fire) where I am at the moment - i.e. on the "hard". Reports that it had occurred - certainly a boat badly fire damaged. From what I gather, they are not able to find the cause - said to try and do so assessers charge would be five thousand pounds. Extremely unlikely to have been arson, considering the situation of this place.

To my mind it is utterly absurd to leave power connected to a boat, we always disconnect whenever we're off the boat. But walk down any pontoon and note just how many are connected. Daft I reckon - batteries are best left alone - 'rest' never does any harm to these I reckon!

 

[sarabande]

dehumidifiers are linked to quite a few domestic fires (OK, it's in America, but the same untis sold in Europe)

http://www.electronicsweekly.com/bl...2011/09/recall-corner-lg-electronics-h.html:-



Reasons suggested here by one maker:-

http://www.sces.co.uk/dehumidifier_service.htm

Dust and fluff on the cooling circuit is certainly visible on mine (Prem-i-Air) if left running for a couple of days.

 

[KevinT1]

Types of Dehumidifiers

There are 2 types of Dehumidifiers - those that work like a domestic fridge with associated compressors and don't work very well at low temperatures and those that are based on dessicant which are designed to work at low temperatures.

We have a ECO DD122FW "Simple" Desiccant Dehumidifier - it has kept the boat very dry over the last winter and did not cost a lot to run either.

 

[Twister_Ken]

That's my experience for 10+ years and no problems. But a Malo in Kip got written off 3 years ago, also a HR in Largs just last month (both on the hard) from the dehumidifer going on fire!

I am sort of relaxed, but there is a lingering question in my mind as to why yachts seem to have this problem.

And a baby Moody in Gosport was badly damaged by a dehumidifier fire last winter. Two boats away from me. My dehumidifier went home, and now lives under the stairs.

 

[ctva]

Is it really a problem? How many thousands of dehumidifiers are in use and how many incidents? A bit of perspective needed, and common sense in the use and operation of it.

 

[pvb]

Is it really a problem? How many thousands of dehumidifiers are in use and how many incidents? A bit of perspective needed, and common sense in the use and operation of it.

Exactly! Next thing we know, people will be saying that gas on boats is dangerous!

 

[kyleview]

Exactly! Next thing we know, people will be saying that gas on boats is dangerous!

I could not agree more - hence why I wanted to understand how this myth has grown! That said there has only been ONE reply so far with any "technical" content, and that was even low, however no explanations at all!

Thanks

 

[pvb]

I could not agree more - hence why I wanted to understand how this myth has grown! That said there has only been ONE reply so far with any "technical" content, and that was even low, however no explanations at all!

One thing I would add is that I don't really understand why people mess about with dehumidifiers on boats. In about 40 years of boating in the UK, I've never used a dehumidifier, and not found a desire or need to use one. If the boat is adequately ventilated, it'll be fine. And, no, I don't take the upholstery home in the winter!

 

[PhilipF]

One thing I would add is that I don't really understand why people mess about with dehumidifiers on boats.

Agree, specially in the heat of summer. In the winter we use it in the early morning when we are on the boat. Never, ever is it on, when we're off. Fact as already mentioned, all power disconnected when we are not around. It would be good if others berthed near by did the same, reason being I reckon, other boats left with power increase anode wear on boats near by.

 

[neale]

One thing I would add is that I don't really understand why people mess about with dehumidifiers on boats. In about 40 years of boating in the UK, I've never used a dehumidifier, and not found a desire or need to use one. If the boat is adequately ventilated, it'll be fine. And, no, I don't take the upholstery home in the winter!

Well if you have never used one you wouldn't understand would you? A well ventilated boat will still feel damp and cold compared to a dehumidified boat. Give me a decent dehumidifier any day.

 

[panthablue]

We don't have a de-humidifier and never felt the need for one.

As I see it, there are two reasons for needing one.

1. You have a leak somewhere

Answer - locate the leak and fix it

2. Cold damp air in the winter

Answer - put a good cover over the boat

It works for me.

 

[pvb]

Well if you have never used one you wouldn't understand would you? A well ventilated boat will still feel damp and cold compared to a dehumidified boat. Give me a decent dehumidifier any day.

But it doesn't feel damp. And if it's cold I put the Eberspacher on.

 

[sarabande]

check here, item #10

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/create_rapex.cfm?rx_id=110

and then

http://www.interfire.org/features/recallview.asp?date=01112011

and

http://www.interfire.org/features/recallview.asp?date=08132010#9

and

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01130.html

and

http://www.fire.org.nz/Media/News/2008/Pages/Tragedy-Blamed-on-Faulty-Appliance.aspx

and

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54787693-79/sears-com-consumers-contact.html.csp

and

if you really want to, you can look through that august piece of literature, the Fire Services Monitor

http://www.communities.gov.uk/fire/researchandstatistics/firestatistics/firestatisticsmonitors/

where no doubt you will also come across numerous fire incidents resulting from improperly operated or installed dehumidifiers.


My delonghi dehumidifier just went flash bang and stopped operating after a repeated power cut in Feb 2010. It was replaced without demur by the company responsible for the power cut (a building firm with an over-enthusiastic JCB operator).


HTH

 

[kyleview]

check here, item #10

http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/create_rapex.cfm?rx_id=110

and then

http://www.interfire.org/features/recallview.asp?date=01112011

and

http://www.interfire.org/features/recallview.asp?date=08132010#9

and

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01130.html

and

http://www.fire.org.nz/Media/News/2008/Pages/Tragedy-Blamed-on-Faulty-Appliance.aspx

and

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54787693-79/sears-com-consumers-contact.html.csp

and

if you really want to, you can look through that august piece of literature, the Fire Services Monitor

http://www.communities.gov.uk/fire/researchandstatistics/firestatistics/firestatisticsmonitors/

where no doubt you will also come across numerous fire incidents resulting from improperly operated or installed dehumidifiers.


My delonghi dehumidifier just went flash bang and stopped operating after a repeated power cut in Feb 2010. It was replaced without demur by the company responsible for the power cut (a building firm with an over-enthusiastic JCB operator).


HTH

Thanks - some good factual information here