Dehumidifier

[tooth_dr]

My shed is pretty well ventilated, and when in it you can feel the breeze blowing through the gap around the roof and also between a few boards that have shrunk. Despite this I have recently noticed damp on shelving and cupboard surfaces, and the optics seem to mist up very easily and take a while to clear.

Does a dehumidifier work ok in a ventilated shed? Any recommendations to cope with 5’x8’x8’ shed volume? I plan on running it day time hours constantly, using free energy off the solar panels, and wonder would it also be needed at night?

Thanks in advance

Adam. 

[sloz1664]

Hi Adam,

I use a dehumidifier in my Pulsar Dome and run it to a setting of 60% humidity. I have connected a drain hose so it is now "set & forget". You need a refrigerant dehumidifier to combat the cold weather.

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/cd10l/electriq-cd10l-dehumidifier?refsource=APadwords&refsource=Apadwords&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0vnQBRDmARIsAEL0M1mqmfg-5pSdbeD61ZLaA0n4dgdwGU5VqXiNHm8R1P6Qfusk0mW5zw4aAtjHEALw_wcB#maindesc

Steve

[AKB]

22 minutes ago, sloz1664 said:

You need a refrigerant dehumidifier to combat the cold weather.

My understanding was that desiccant humidifiers are much more efficient at lower temperatures?

[tooth_dr]

Thanks fellas, gonna need something as I'm now worried dew sitting on my scope lenses and mirrors for protracted periods of time.

[RayD]

3 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

Thanks fellas, gonna need something as I'm now worried dew sitting on my scope lenses and mirrors for protracted periods of time.

Dehumidifier will definitely help.  As noted by @sloz1664 the ideal way is to drain it and then set to between 50 and 60%.  I switch mine off remotely when imaging, and then back on after and then just leave it on.

There are differing views on the best type, and having both (dessicant in obsy and compressor in garage) the dessicant definitely works better at lower temperatures.

[Dave Smith]

This is the one I use 24/7 during winter months. The managing director is an astronomer and he recommends 60% also.

http://www.dry-it-out.com/dd1-simple-desiccant-dehumdifier

I've had this for a few years now, it is very reliable.

Dave

[RayD]

http://www.dry-it-out.com/dd1-simple-desiccant-dehumdifier

That's the exact one I have in my obsy too and works great.  Also ideal as it is manual start, so you can turn it on remotely, which you can't do with many of the fully digital ones as you need to press the start button.

[tooth_dr]

Thank-you.  I believe I've seen a few members with that same one, when I did a search.  I'll get that ordered before something gets damaged.

[RayD]

11 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

Thank-you.  I believe I've seen a few members with that same one, when I did a search.  I'll get that ordered before something gets damaged.

I got mine from Amazon.  It's a couple of quid cheaper but as I have Prime delivery was free so a no brainer.

[tooth_dr]

29 minutes ago, RayD said:

I got mine from Amazon.  It's a couple of quid cheaper but as I have Prime delivery was free so a no brainer.

Thanks Ray, wife has prime so that will do well.  I'll get it ordered.