Ice forming on top front part of unit

MIKE - I have the same problem...previously, there was NEVER any frost, and the unit worked just fine. Now, all of a sudden in the last week, frost has been forming...water no longer traverses thru the tube into the sink...and the unit is basically useless/

I think when the original person said "frost", they meant ICE!

>check if the steam creating by the dehumidifier is enough or balance to neutralize the fresh air supply of the dehumidifier by not creating a too much moist or more tha 40% relative humidity so that water beads would not form from the top of the dehumidifier unit or from its supply of fresh air.

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you cando with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

If the surrounding temperature is low enough the condensing elements of a dehumidifier ice up just like the cooling plates in a frig. Either reduce the power or raise the surrounding air temperature.

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote about that problem...

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662033-dehumidifier_freezing_up_not_working

heatman101

Usually this happens for one of two reasons: 1) there is a problem with the refrigerant and/or compressor (like a little leak of refrigerant)
2) the room that the compressor is in is too cool (below the operating range of the dehumidifier)

If the unit is under warranty, call for service if you know the room is above the minimum operating temp. If it is a problem with the refrigerant, they will probably replace the unit.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(we have an LG dehumidifier and had to have it replaced when it was less than a year old - it was icing up in the summer. It still iced up in the winter (at times due to cold in the basement).)

You've developed a sealed system problem.

I have a Comfortaire BHD501 dehumidifier. A couple weeks ago I noticed ice building up on top of the unit,so I unplugged it to defrost. I plugged it back in and it worked until I noticed the "CH" "01" code. It would run a few seconds then shut off with that code showing. I took off the front of the unit and noticed rust on some of the metal parts. Then I took the cover off the circuit board for the front read out. I noticed corrosion on some of the solder points. When I looked closer at the plastic cover for the circuit board I noticed a small burn mark. The water from the melting ice must have run behind the cover and shorted out the circuitboard. At this point I don't know if new boards are available.

Most dehumidifiers need warmer air to work properly. The temperature in a basement is usually 60 - 65F; too cool for standard models. You could buy a "basement" dehumidifier. They're designed to work at lower temperatures; some as low as 40 F. Costs are about the same as a standard dehumidifier; you just have to find it.

For a cheap fix, try this; it seems to be working for me.

Since the condensate coil (the one icing up) is cold, the air entering it is too cool and the condensate frosts up the coil. Additional condensate freezes to the frost and before you know it, you've got a block of ice. Since the air coming out of the front is very warm take a large piece of cardboard around 6' x 3') and form a V. Placed it in front of the dehumidifier so it channels some of the warm air back to the rear where it warms the moist air up before it hits the cooling fins. It's helped keep the ice down.

If you want something attractive, any screen that redirects some of the air back to the rear will work. Just leave the top open so it doesn't get too hot and the some of the drier air gets out into the room.

A dehumidifier works by cooling the metal pipes on the back of the unit to create condensation (water vapor in the air). This then drips into the collector bucket. If the unit runs too long the cooling tubes can get too cold and freeze the condesing water vapor. Unplug the dehumidifier and let the ice melt, when u turn it back on, turn it down, it may be up too high. If you find this solution helpful please rate it.

Thanks - Tech101