I have a dehumidifier which isn't working. Everything spins and lights up as it should, but it doesn't dehumidify.
The unit is rated at 400 W and the compressor would use about 350 if it was performing to spec.
I tested the AC current and found that the fan and the circuitry use about half an amp and that when the compressor motor kicks-in the current jumps momentarily but then quickly settles to around two amps. (V = 100).
The current decreases slightly over minutes so I expect this is just the bearings and whatnot getting better as they get warm.
So I'd say the compressor must be pumping air and the R134 refrigerant that it used to pump is now contributing to the alleged hole in the ozone layer.
There is a solonoid valve which (I think) defrosts the radiators. When I apply a magnet to it to activate it I can hear gas and a slight gurgling sound. The very thin copper tube which (I think) acts as a restricting valve gets just slightly cooler than the rest of the pipe but it isn't easy to tell. - But it clearly isn't working.
* If I was getting about 400 W through the meter then I'd assume it was blocked somewhere. But as I'm only getting 200 W I suppose it is just empty. (Tell me).
* And what shall I do with it? I haven't got any R13? coolant and I've never tried to re-fill a heat pump - and there isn't a valve to connect to unless I break the seal on a stray pipe, get the gas in and seal it again. I might manage this but I'm not very confident about it.
And can I use propane or butane and fiddle with the valve so it works?
*** Or should I just take the useful bits off it and not waste my time?
