Fan doesn turn - Comfort-Aire BHD-501 Dehumidifier

clean the condenser in the front or the filter if it has one. no air flow to cool it down will result in overheating and no condensation collection across the evaporator coil.

Bad capacitor or compressor

does the motor feel extremely hot? how free are the bearings? Is there any squeaking when the fan turns? any resistance at all? If you have a problem with the bearings then change them that would cause the thermal overload to trip in the motor to unsure it doesn't burn out.

Lyle, your particular model is designed for the fan to function constantly. However, the fan running doesn't mean the compressor is always running. The reason the unit was designed this way, is for the air to be continually moving, and when the humidity sensor picks up a rise in the humidity level (above where you have it set) the compressor will turn ON and extract that humidity.

Your unit is working as it should. Thanks for choosing FixYa.

The run cap could be bad, give the fan a spin to check bearings condition, caps are cheap motors are not.

The fan has to run or the moisture will freeze on the coil, try to help the fan motor turn reach in and the blade a flick in any direction and then pull your long skinny helper out and watch the fan it may just run or give you a idea whats up. They get dirty and I'm sure that it worked last time. Nothing fancy but it might help.

Depending on which mode you have the unit set on, will determine if it shots OFF entirely or the fan continues to run. In the Constant or Continual mode, the compressor will turn OFF, once the humidity extraction level has been reached. But, the fan will continue to operate, in an effort to keep the air circulating, so that if the humidity level rises, the compressor will turn ON and start extracting again.

In Timed Mode (usually 2 hour or 4 hour) , when the compressor turns OFF the fan does too.

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

Bryan, it may imply be a case of the humidity extraction level being set to high. Lower the level to 35% and see what happens. As far as the fan running is concerned. Most dehumidifiers are designed for the fan to run, even if the compressor doesn't turn ON. It's designed to keep the air circulating and if the humidity rises above the setting you have it on, the humidity sensor will pick up this change and turn the compressor ON.

Also, remove the air intake filter to see if it's clogged and needs cleaning. Maintain at least a minimum of 12" of free air space all around the dehumidifier. Poor air circulation will prevent the unit from working properly. As will, to low an ambient air tempeature. Most unit struggle to work at temperature between 40 & 60 degrees F.

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

You may have the humidity setting to high. Try lowering it to 45%. Or if yours doesn't have an LED Screen, set it for minimum. Also, check and clean the air intake filter, if you haven't already. Keep in mind, most dehumidifiers have a fan that may seem to run constantly, but the compressor doesn't turn ON. The fan is circulating air, in a effort to detect humidity levels that are higher than what you have the humidity removal set on.

Hope this helped you.

Check the voltage to the fan motor. More then likely the fan motor It is either frozen or burnt out.
Good Luck,
Gilshultz