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I've had this model for about 5 years. It's worked flawlessly. I recently replaced a cracked reservoir and float before leaving on vacation. When I returned, the dehumidifier did not work. It WAS getting power, but if I adjusted the humidity settings, it wouldn't cycle ON. If i manually depressed the switch that is depressed when the float valve is positioned, this has no effect either. Not sure if there is an internal fuse or not....
Sounds like it has a bad relay on the compressor. This is most common. If it is anything else I would suggest buying a new unit due to cost for repair.
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If it’s the one like move, vibration comes from the pump that takes reservoir water to be evaporated. Mine never seems to shut off and is noisy because there’s no water. And eventually it throws an e4 error saying that some water store is full. I can hear compressor come on nicely and quietly. I’ve cleaned the float switch area that was filthy. I was unable to easily remove and fully clean the inside of the donuts. Perhaps the funk is interfering with the float switch. Next step is to research these float switches for how they work. There in another float switch that is not connected anywhere, nor is there a place that it could connect to.
Nine times out of ten, a problem with a dehumidifier can be traced to electrical parts-not to the compressor. If the problem is being caused by the compressor and the unit is out of warranty (most have a 1-year limited warranty), strongly consider replacing the unit rather than trying to have the compressor repaired. If you're thinking about having the unit repaired, be sure to ask for an estimate.
Unless it is designed to drain automatically, a dehumidifier should be emptied fairly often during hot and muggy or damp weather- sometimes as often as once a day. In humid, damp climates, a dehumidifier's reservoir can pull as much as 50 pints of water from the air a day. Failure to keep the reservoir clean and dry will just contribute to the problems you're trying to solve. If you're in the market for a new dehumidifier, consider its reservoir capacity: Larger capacity reservoirs work more efficiently and have to be emptied less often. Many dehumidifiers have a float switch that prevents the unit from spilling over with the water that has been drawn out of the air. Sometimes this switch goes bad and must be replaced. If your dehumidifier is overflowing, you can test the overflow prevention switch with a volt-ohm meter. 1) Unplug the dehumidifier and remove the switch. 2) Disconnect the leads and clip the leads to the terminals on the switch. 3) Check the pan or reservoir and empty it if necessary, or make sure the drain isn't clogged. 4) Straighten any kinks or bends in the unit's hose. 5) Set a volt-ohm meter to the RX1 scale (or to K-ω or ω resistance on a digital meter) and depress the bar or trip lever on the switch. If the meter's needle shows no continuity as the switch is clicked back and forth, the switch is probably faulty and will need replacement.
Generally, most humidifiers work best between 60 -80 degrees . There is a model that is called a Low Temp model, that's designed for low temperatures in basements.
As far as your problem is concerned, there are 5 basic, yet solvable reasons for what you described. Please pay particular attention to numbers 1 & 2. 1. The humidity extraction level is set to HIGH. Lower it to 32-35%. If you have a manually controlled unit, set the Manual Control Knob to Maximum.
2. Air intake filter is dirty or clogged. Turn unit OFF, & Unplug the Unit, before removing to inspect & clean it, if necessary. If washed, allow filter to completely dry before reinstalling. DO NOT operate the unit without the filter.
3. Obstructed air flow. Maintain a minimum of 12 to 18" of clear air
space around the entire unit.
4. Cooling coils are dirty and need to be cleaned. Use warm water & dish washing liquid to clean the coils. Rinse and wipe dry. Apply a light coating of WD40 to the coils.
5. Ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 - 60 degrees.
dehumidifiers do not work well between those temperatures (Unless, you have a Low Temp Unit). This applies mainly to where the air
temperature at floor level is colder than at shoulder level in basement applications. Raising the unit up off the floor, onto a sturdy table, counter top, etc, that can handle the weight of the unit, plus a full tank of water, will usually resolve this problem.
If
none of the above solves the problem, it may be a case of the
compressor needs to be recharged with refrigerant gas or that the humidity condenser sensor has failed. These things usually occur in units that are
5 years old or older. It's rare in a unit younger than that. But, it
can happen.
I hope this helps you troubleshoot and solve the problem. Thanks for choosing FixYa.
The faulty float valve is almost always the problem, based on what you described. It is a replaceable part, but you may have to but the entire bucket assembly. Generally, they run around $50.00. However, not all parts are still available for that model, even though it's only 4 years old.
If you want pursue finding the float valve or a new bucket assembly, the best place I've found is online is Appliance Factory Parts http://www.appliancefactoryparts.com/search/index.php they carry parts for just about any appliance you can think of.
You'd be hard pressed to find a Fedders like yours. They've been out of business for several years.
There are several basic things that can cause what you described.
1. The humidity extraction level is improperly set. Lower the level to 32-35%
2. A dirty of clogged air intake filter. Turn the unit OFF unplug it and remove the filter for cleaning.
3. Obstructed air space. A dehumidifier requires a minimum of 12" clear air space around the entire unit.
4. The ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 & 60 Degrees F. Dehumidifiers do not work well in that temperature (Except low temp models). This especially true in a basement application, because the air temperature at floor level is colder than say, chest level. Raising the unit up off the floor onto a sturdy table, cabinet top, etc, that can handle the weight of the unit, plus a full tank of water, will normally resolve that problem.
5. The cooling coils are dirty and need to be cleaned.
Critical problems: 1 The humidity sensor has failed an needs to be replaced.
2.The compressor is low on refrigerant gas and needs to be recharged.
Sometimes the repairs (Time spent finding, the Parts & labor), if necessary, can cost almost as much or as much as a new unit, which would have a full warranty.
Hope this helped you troubleshoot the basic and solvable problems and you won't need to make any critical repairs. Please let me know. Thanks.
First, make sure the reservoir is empty. If you plug the unit in and
see a green power light, but the unit won't run, make sure the
reservoir is properly inserted. Many dehumidifiers have switches or
sensors to make sure that the reservoir is placed so that it won't
leak. Look for these sensors and make sure the reservoir is engaging
them. If your dehumidifier has a float or switch to indicate a full
reservoir, make sure this switch isn't being tripped accidentally.
First, make sure the reservoir is empty. If you plug the unit in and
see a green power light, but the unit won't run, make sure the
reservoir is properly inserted.
Many dehumidifiers have switches or
sensors to make sure that the reservoir is placed so that it won't
leak. Look for these sensors and make sure the reservoir is engaging
them.
If your dehumidifier has a float or switch to indicate a full
reservoir, make sure this switch isn't being tripped accidentally.
TURN UNIT OFF.. MAKE SURE DEHUMIDIFIER HAS NOT BEEN RUN FOR AT LEAST FIFTEEN MINUTES... TAKE BUCKET OUT... HOLD IN THE BUTTON THAT THE FLOAT IN THE BUCKET PUSHES ON.. THEN TURN ON THE UNIT.. DO NOT LET GO OF THE BUTTON EVEN A LITTLE BIT IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT FIFTEEN MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN.. IF UNIT WORKS THEN YOUR FLOAT IN THE BUCKET IS THE PROBLEM...
Check to see if the styrofoam is still in the lever of the shut off arm. It's atop the water reservoir. If there is nothing there it will not float causing the arm not to shut off.
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