XM Dehumidifier information needed

[Robin]

We bought an XM dehumidifier last week and have the permanent drain hose connected. However the water tank still fills up and then automatically shuts the unit off. Cleverly this unit came with no instructions and XM have no idea how they work either!

Has anyone worked out how these things work???? If I can't get it working with the permanent drain hose it really is of little use.



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[jimi]

I had one and the pernament hose fitting just drained into the sink. The water should'nt go anywhere near the water tank. Mine gave up the ghost after two winters use:-(

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[Robin]

Thats how our old one worked, did the same with this but it filled the tank anyway and then the float switch cut it off. I've just tried filling the hollow tray float thingy with water which then stops it working and shutting the unit off but I cannot test if the water then runs out of the pipe without waiting a very long time!

We had an expensive Ebac, it is now on it's 3rd holiday with Ebac for repair. We got it back last April but didn't use it until 2wks ago (only bought it for the boat) and it lasted just 2 days before blowing the electronic panel for the 3rd time. We had to pay £75 last time for the repair but the repair warranty is only 6 months, so by the time we used it in anger it was expired. Needless to say I had a very heated chat with the very busy complaints dept at Ebac, but maybe it will last a week next time which will be a huge improvement.

I have heard the XM ones are very unreliable too - what is it with these things, surely not rocket science technology!

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[jimi]

Could'nt you cut a wee hole in the tank and drain it from there. It shouldnt be a problem to reseal if required. Must admit I've given up on dehumidifiers, I just leave a little radiator type heater on now when its cold.

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[Robin]

Appropriately named hole

Might become as famous as Mr Cunningham's! Yes that is a possible solution in true PBO style but since it is advertised and fitted with the permanent drain facility it ought to work dammit! And why don't XM know how their stuff works?

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[jimi]

Re: Appropriately named hole

My suspicion is that having had experience of the XM dehumidifier is that its not actually working as it should !

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[andyball]

If it looks like any of the models <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.newwidetech.com/widetech-frame.htm>here</A> then it's a widetech one.

They were quick & helpful by email when I had a technical question.

The B&Q widetechs used to be dealt with by www.ukairconditioning.com , but no widetechs on their site now (actually there are, but now named "prem-l-air"., might be worth a call if it is one anyway : 0870 7425021

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[Goldie]

Re: Is it level?

I have a B&Q supplied dehumidifier (about 4 years old) which looks the same as one that XM were supplying at the time, and recently had the same problem as yourself. Having taken the housing off for a look-see, I found that there are 2 drain holes, one slightly lower than the other. The principle seems to be that if a permanent drain is connected, the spigot is on the lower hole which then drains first so that the water never reaches a level whereby it would drain into the integral reservoir through the higher hole. If no external drain is connected, then both holes would drain into the reservoir, although in practice, all the water would go through the lower hole. In my case, the water was draining into the integral reservoir because although the unit was sitting in the usual place, the boat has not been chocked up level and the water was draining towards and through the higher drain. The higher drain seems to be just an overflow so that the cut-off will activate when required. A couple of beer mats under the low side solved the problem. I'm not sure how clear I've made this...... Hope it helps.

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[Robin]

Re: Is it level?

Good question! I will check that, it seems a good possibility. Do you remember which way it should lean? The tube fits at the back left, so perhaps I should induce a lean towards the back left?

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[Robin]

Ta, they do look familiar so I've sent them an email, there has to be a simple solution somewhere!

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[floatything]

If it is like a domestic dehumidifier, where the drain tube is connected to the reservoir, then a simple test of removing the reservoir with tube attached, and filling it to see if water comes out should give insight. This may sound too obvious BUT, on many domestic units, the rubber 'bung / outlet' to which the tube attaches comes internally blocked off, and you need to make a hole through it to allow water to pass if you want it to be self draining. Probably not but worth a look. HTH

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[Goldie]

Re: Is it level?

If it's the same as mine, level or a slight lean to the left (when seen from the front) should be ok. Our model has a plastic case and is quite well rounded, and has a rotary dial top right and three coloured lights at the top. I think the model number ended with "101". Best of luck!

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[LORDNELSON]

For what its worth, we have used a Mitsubishi for the last five years; it is switched on continuously from November through March. We have experienced no problems to date; sliding on the external hose cuts out the flow to the tank with no problem.

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[Nick2]

As Robin now knows I have the XM thing and rather than going into dull details here about plugs the gist is take the bung plug out the back and fit it into where the outlet is into the tank.

PM me if you need a little more explanation and yes the instructions are awful

Nick

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[Robin]

It\'s eaqsy when you know how!

Thanks to Nick2 I now have it working. The small rubber plug which is removed to attach the permanent drain tube is inserted in the small drain tube inside the top left (viewed from the front) of the water tank. This explains too why it was not on a retaining strap fixed to the permanent drain outlet as was our old one.

We didn't get ANY instructions with ours, but Nick2 said it wasn't mentioned in them anyway. XM didn't know and were just not interested. Well done XM, I will never buy another XM product, I assume that is what you wanted to achieve!

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