Folks,
I found that our basement was running anywhere from 60 to 70%
humidity. I have a good deal of electronic and musical gear down here
and have to assume that based on the hygrometer, those numbers are
fairly accurate. Knowing that 60 to 70% humidity is not good for most
wood and electronics, I purchased a dehumidifier. I generally take
days if not weeks, but in this case there seemed to be few options, so
I purchased a LG. It is a 45 pint unit with a five year warranty. This
one cost $199.99 and a Kenmore at 35 pints cost $169.95. The question
I have is first this LG seems to short-cycle, it's on for 30 minutes
to 45 minutes it seems and then it shuts off for maybe 10 minutes or
so. Now we have not had it quite 24 hours, but in less than 12 hours
it has pulled the humidity level from 70% down to 51%. I don't know
how accurate the humidistat is in the unit or how accurate the
hygrometer is, but I guess an average will have to be figured. Now as
I sit here the fan was on a while, shut itself off, and now the fan
and compressor just came back on within five to eight minutes of it
being off. I did adjust the humidistat to 60%, which is still within
acceptable range. So, makes me wonder if the humidistat is to
sensitive. I hate to think this thing will short-cycle so much as to
really start costing me a lot of money in electrical use. Maybe the
humidity down here isn't as bad as the cost of electricity. grin.
Here are a few factors that might be a problem. I live in a split-
level house. So, there is no basement door, I had the unit over by the
outside door and I just moved it to the other side of the room closer
to the stairwell. Now recall I just told you it was off five to eight
minutes and came back on? It just turned itself off after five
minutes. I'll have to track how long it stays off this time. In any
event the question is what brands has folks had experience with, do
you find any difference with a unit that has digital controls over the
mechanical controls? ANy tips on the whole dehumidification process? I
just can't believe these things can short-cycle so much. I have to say
in just typing this message, it has cycled 3 times and I've been
working on this message for probably 10 minutes with a spousal
interruption.
tnx,
