[C320-list] Small Boat Dehumidifier

[mseyler at cox.net]

I used this dehumidifier for a while:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QTW6KQ/ref=pe_385040_30332200_TE_item

and it did a good job of dehumidifying my 320. It's no longer available, but the current version seems to be this:

https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Dry-Dehumidifier-Thermal-Electric-Piece/dp/B06XHSR1KK/ref=dp_prsubs_sccl_2/142-9369856-4664145?pd_rd_w=fe7jq&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5e8e3ef-84db-453d-a27d-ecf88c736208&pf_rd_p=f5e8e3ef-84db-453d-a27d-ecf88c736208&pf_rd_r=W5QK1RBWDWTX1R4J40Q9&pd_rd_wg=ZvbyB&pd_rd_r=94f79f4d-7020-45cb-9a20-095e12d2fe7d&pd_rd_i=B06XHSR1KK&psc=1

My problem with the system was that the external power supply for the unit would burn out after about a year or two of continuous running, leaving me to either buy a whole new unit, or re-wire an aftermarket power supply to match the plug on the dehumidifier.  However, some of the aftermarket power supplies heated up enough to make me uncomfortable about leaving them running when I wasn't there, which is the whole point of the system.

Whatever dehumidifier you get, it's easy to modify the tank to make it self-empty into the galley sink.  Drill a 1/4 inch hole about a half-inch below the top of the tank.  Feed enough 1/4 inch OD plastic tubing through the hole and into the tank to stop just short of the bottom of the tank, and leave enough tubing on the outside to reach down into the galley sink.  When the water level in the tank rises, it fills the  tube, which then siphons the water out down to the bottom of the inside tubing.  As long as the top of the tubing is below the auto-shut-off level, the unit will run continuously.

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA




-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Dave Hupe via C320-list
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 3:26 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Small Boat Dehumidifier

Chris-
If you don't have a drain hose, then your unit must shut itself off when the drain pan fills and must be manually drained before it will run again.
If it shuts off and you are relying on it for necessary heat as adequate "winterization" where you live, aren't you risking a freeze up if you don’t get to your boat often enough to keep the pan drained?
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
 
  On Tue, Oct 17, 2023 at 4:14 PM, Chris Burti via C320-<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   I had been using a unit similar to one of these effectively to reduce
humidity aboard for twenty years. No drain needed and as a secondary benefit it puts out enough heat (about the equivalent of a 90 watt bulb) that I never needed to winterize here in eastern NC. The only issue I had with freezing was if I forgot to drain the anchor washdown hose. People have been effectively using a light bulb to protect well pumps from freezing in this area for generations.

https://defender.com/en_us/caframo-stor-dry-air-circulator-9406caabx

YMMV
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC



On Tue, Oct 17, 2023 at 3:04 PM Bob Hoyt via C320-list < c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> I have been surprised that there aren't small dehumidifiers sold by 
> marina stores that drain into the galley or head sink. Several years 
> ago I purchased one from Amazon for $31 that drains into the galley 
> sink and it did the job for almost two years and then I replaced it. 
> It dehumidifies
> 2200 cubic feet so it seems adequate. While I drilled a hole and 
> inserted a small brass nipple for the 1/4-inch drainage hose, there 
> are models on Amazon that come with a drainage hose. I don't have hard 
> data on how well it dehumidifies but wonder if others have gone this route.
>
> Bob Hoyt
> Hull #154
> Ikigai
> Pensacola, FL
>
> --
>
> *Robert (Bob) Hoyt MD, FACP, FAMIA, ABPM-CI*
>
> *Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Internal Medicine*
>
> *Virginia Commonwealth University*
>
> *Richmond, VA*
>
>
> *CAPT (Ret) USN*
>
> InformaticsEducation.org  <http://InformaticsEducation.org>
>
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>
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>