Not operating properly - doesn't draw water

Ray, there are 5 basic, but 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%.

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 to trouble shoot and solve the problem. Thanks for choosing FixYa.

As I tell all the folks who report the same problem you have. There are 5 basic, but solvable reasons for what you described. Please pay particular attention to numbers 1 and 2.

1. The humidity extraction level is set to HIGH. Lower it to 32-35%.

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
in basement applications level. 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 helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

It may simply be a case of 4 things: Any of which can cause the problem.

1. The air intake filter is dirty or clogged.

2. The humidity extraction level is set to HIGH. Lower it to 32%.

3. Obstructed air flow around the unit. You must maintain a minimum of 12" clear air space around the entire unit, while in operation.

4. The ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 & 60 degrees F. This is true in basement applications and the unit will not function properly. Unless it's a Low Temperature unit. Placing it up off the floor on a sturdy table or counter top that can adequately hold the weight of the unit, plus a full bucket of water, usually solves that problem.

Worse case scenario, the compressor needs to be recharged with refrigerant gas. But, that doesn't happen that often.

Hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

It may simply be the case be a case of 4 things: Any of which can cause the problem.

1. The air intake filter is dirty or clogged.

2. The humidity extraction level is set to HIGH. Lower it to 32%.

3. Obstructed air flow around the unit. You must maintain a minimum of 12" clear air space around the entire unit, while in operation.

4. The ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 & 60 degrees F. This is true in basement applications and the unit will not function properly. Unless it's a Low Temperature unit. Placing it up off the floor on a sturdy table or counter top that can adequately hold the weight of the unit, plus a full bucket of water, usually solves that problem.

Worse case scenario, the compressor needs to be recharged with refrigerant gas. But, that doesn't happen that often.

Hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

It may simply be a case of 4 things: Any of which can cause the problem.

1. The air intake filter is dirty or clogged.

2. The humidity extraction level is set to HIGH. Lower it to 32%.

3. Obstructed air flow around the unit. You must maintain a minimum of 12" clear air space around the entire unit, while in operation.

4. The ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 & 60 degrees F. This is true in basement applications and the unit will not function properly. Unless it's a Low Temperature unit. Placing it up off the floor on a sturdy table or counter top that can adequately hold the weight of the unit, plus a full bucket of water, usually solves that problem.

Worse case scenario, the compressor needs to be recharged with refrigerant gas. But, that doesn't happen that often.

Hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

A couple of things may be happening: The humidity extraction level may be set to high and it can't extract any humidity at that level. Reset/Lower it to 35%. The fans on most dehumidifiers run almost constantly (designed that way) so that it keeps moving the air around. If the sensor picks up a higher humidity level than what it's set to maintain, the compressor will turn ON. This is particularly true, if you operate the unit in continual mode, rather than a timed mode. Also, a dirty or clogged air intake filter, hinders the units ability to remove humidity/moisture.

In addition, operating the unit is ambient air temperature of between 40 & 60 degrees F, causes the unit to struggle to dehumidify the air and the fan to run continuously. Obstructing the air flow around the unit, will also cause it to not function as it should. Maintain a minimum of 12" of free air space around all 4 sides of the unit.

Hope this helps you troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know.

The lack of water in the bucket, may be a result of the humidity setting on the unit being to high. Try setting the level at 45% or lower. Also, be sure there's adequate air flow around the unit itself. It should remain a minimum of 12' from a wall or furniture. 24" is better.

If the above doesn't solve the problem, try this at home test. Place the unit in the bathroom, turn it ON and set the level as low as possible. Turn the shower ON hot enough to generate steam. Do not turn ON the bathroom's exhaust fan. As you exit the bathroom, close the door. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, before returning to the bathroom. When you do, turn the shower OFF and allow the unit to run for several more minutes. Then check the bucket for water. If there is any sign of water in it, it's working fine. It was probably a case of the humidity level being set to high the first time.

If there was no water in the bucket, the refrigerant gas in the cooling coils and the compressor may need recharging.

Hope this helped your to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

Keep in mind, that a dehumidifier only draws humidity from the air, if the level of humidity is higher than what the controls are set on. For instance, if you have the dehumidifier set on 65 to 70%, that's a high level of humidity to maintain in a house. If you have it set for 35 or 45%, that's a low level of humidity to maintain in a house. Which, generally is what you want to maintain in the hot, humid summer months. Also, it's not uncommon on some dehumidifiers for the fan to almost run constantly. It's designed to keep the air moving, in a effort to detect when the humidity level rises.

Also, a dirty air intake filter makes the unit strain to keep up and can't take in moisture as it should. So, if you haven't cleaned the filter no is the time to check and clean it. And while your at it, clean the cooling coils too. Since it sounds like this unit has been working hard for 2 weeks.

The easiest and best way to test a dehumidifier at home, to see if it's working properly. Is to place it in the bathroom and turn the shower ON and don't operate the bathroom's exhaust fan. Set the humidity level low (45%), turn the unit ON and close the door when you leave. Wait 15 to 25 minutes and check the water collection bucket. If there's water in it, it's working as it should.

For more information on the proper operation of a dehumidifier, go to the Tips section of Fixya and look up "Taking the confusion out operating a dehumidifier".

Hope all this helps you troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

Keep in mind, that a dehumidifier only draws humidity from the air, if the level of humidity is higher than what the controls are set on. For instance, if you have the dehumidifier set on 65 to 70%, that's a high level of humidity to maintain in a house. If you have it set for 35 or 45%, that's a low level of humidity to maintain in a house. Which, generally is what you want to maintain in the hot, humid summer months. I find it uncanny, that all 3 units are not collecting any water. So, it may simply be the case, that the humidity level on each unit is improperly set.

Also, a dirty air intake filter makes the unit strain to keep up and can't take in moisture as it should. So, if you haven't cleaned the filters on a regular basis, not is the time to do so. And while your at it, clean the cooling coils too.

The easiest and best way to test a dehumidifier at home, to see if it's working properly. Is to place it in the bathroom and turn the shower ON and don't operate the bathroom's exhaust fan. Set the humidity level low (45%), turn the unit ON and close the door when you leave. Wait 30 to 40 minutes and check the water collection bucket. If there's water in it, it's working as it should.

Hope this helped you to solve the problem. Please let me know.

Hi

You need to check that the bucket is clean and that the sensor for the water level in the bucket is clean.

An old toothbrush and some warm soapy water can sometimes achieve a great result.

Failing this you may need a new sensor, be careful and either draw or photo the old wiring route with your cell phone to make it easier to fit the new sensor

Hope this helps

Gordon