Have a Sunbeam DHC-20M dehumdifier (42pint) that quit running by blowing the circuit breaker. Suspect it's the capacitor, but don't know how to test it since it has probably a dozen contacts on the end. Suggestions and/or source for parts??

id try a new capacitor (cheapest solution) , but sounds to me that your compressor is done for. id bet the evap coil is quite dirty , this is a usuall cause

It sounds like there are other items on that circuit and the total load is a little above the circuit breaker rating. If not then probably the start relay is not dropping out.

First, check the source of the power to the unit, Has a circuit breaker in your home's circuit breaker panel been tripped? If so, unplug the unit, before resetting the circuit breaker. If that's not the case, check the outlet it's plugged into. It may be damaged or have a loose wiring connection. Be sure to turn the circuit breaker for that receptacle OFF, before removing the cover plate.

If all of the above checks out OK, check the water collection bucket, as it may need to be emptied and/or the bucket was not reinstalled properly or the float valve in the top of the bucket is stuck in the UP position, If so, jiggle the arm of the float valve to get to return to the DOWN position.

When reinstalling the bucket, be sure that it fits "squarely" into it's holder and makes firm contact with the bucket safety removal switch.

I hope this helps you to troubleshoot & solve the problem. Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Quite frankly, from what you described, you may need to have the refrigerant gas in the compressor drained and recharged. As. it sounds like the compressor wants to turn on, but lacks the ability due to low refrigerant or a faulty condenser switch. Either one can be repaired. But, if you don't have the experience to deal with it, it's best left to the pros.

Hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem.

rmbm521 - I would like to help you, I have been offering solutions to humidifier problems for some time. But, I have never heard the term "amp", as would apply to a dehumidifier. In most general electrical terms "amp" or "amps" is the amount of electrical draw or use that an electrical appliance uses. It's short for "ampere".

I don't know where you heard it, read it or who told you that. But, they may have been referring to the circuit breaker , that's in your home's circuit breaker panel,. The one that feeds the outlet, the dehumidifier is plugged into. If that's the case, was your dehumidifier tripping one of the circuit breakers in you circuit breaker panel? If that's the case, they meant, the circuit breaker was not rated high enough to carry the load of dehumidifier, when it was in operation.

Hope this helped you. Please let me know. Thanks.

Hopefully, it's not a problem inside the unit that's causing the circuit breaker to trip. Is there another electrical appliance plugged into the same outlet or on that circuit that is ON and draws 15 amps of power? If so, that's the problem. If that's not the case, turn the circuit breaker OFF and remove the outlet cover, so you can inspect the receptacle and it's wiring. A loose wiring connection or a broken or cracked receptacle could be the issue. If you don't find any damage reassemble the outlet and turn the circuit breaker back ON. Instead of plugging in the dehumidifier, plug in a lamp or something similar and turn it ON. Leave it on for more than 5 minutes to see if the circuit breaker trips again. If it does, you'll know the problem is either with the outlet receptacle or the circuit breaker. If doesn't, plug in the dehumidifier (Make sure the Master ON/OFF Switch on the unit is in the OFF position, before plugging it in. Then turn the Master ON/OFF Switch to ON and set your controls. If the circuit breaker trips again, the problem is in the dehumidifier. You will need to call Whirlpool Customer Care, as it's an internal electrical issue.

In case you have misplaced your Owners Manual, I have included a link to it, that you can download and print for future reference. http://www.kitchenaid.ca/assets/pdfs/literature/Use%20and%20Care%20Guide%20-%201188927.pdf

I hope what information I have provided to you, will help you trouble shoot and solve the problem.

If when it's running it dims the lights in the room or entire house, The circuit breaker for the receptacle it's plugged into, is not a high enough amperage to carry the dehumidifier and whatever other electrical appliances that are on the same circuit. OR if your house is hold enough (1970's era), it may have aluminum wiring and its overheating .

If it's blowing the Main Circuit Breaker for the entire house and not just the circuit breaker for the receptacle it's plugged into, Stop using the dehumidifier immediately!!! Have an certified electrician check your home's circuit breaker panel and wiring. This could be a dangerous situation.

Hi,
The compressor is bad... this pulls too much current and blows the breaker...

There can be many reasons why a dehumidifier will not work or collect water.

Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrong with their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662409-dehumidifier_running_but_no_water_in

heatman101

the outlet that you have the dehudifier plugged into has too many items plugged in on the same circuit and when the compressors kicks in it draws more amperage than the breaker load can hold thus popping the breaker either remove some electrical apliances from that circuit load or plug in elsewhere

Capacitor or dead short in the compressor.