Dehumidifier Suggestions?

[Midnight_lightning]

I am close to completing an observatory in my garage that will measure 8'x8'x6' and would like a dehumidifier to keep everything dry. The Obsy will be well sealed and the garage is well ventilated so it shouldn't need anything very powerful. I am looking for something that will work at low temperatures (from around 1C to 5C) and be cheap to run. 

I have seen various small desiccant ones advertised that sound ideal but they have very mixed reviews. 

Be great to hear from anyone that has one that works. 

 

[LongJohn54]

Living in Scotland we have 80-100% humidity pretty much all year round.  I had thought that with plenty of ventilation my obsy would remain condensation free however, it only takes a rise in air temperature of a couple of degrees and moisture would form on the cold mount and scope and everything made of metal leading to rust.

I run my Neostar Desiccant Dehumidifier 24 hrs a day 365 days a year.  I keep it at 60% humidity and being plumbed in (hose through the obsy floor) it never requires maintenance or even looking at.  The gentle heat it outputs keeps the obsy a few degrees above ambient temperature but not so much that I have to wait for the scope to cool before use.  I can highly recommend one based on my experience.

Images - Instructions,  Typical weather, Chart of temperature and humidity this last year. Up spikes in humidity are when I've had the roof open.

 

[steppenwolf]

I have recently bought this one to replace my original that died after several years of faithful service in my observatory and it's working very well indeed and - importantly - it returns to its previous settings after a power cut.

[LongJohn54]

I bought mine from the same place Steve.

[Midnight_lightning]

Thanks, all look good. Think I will get one of the ECoAir DD1's

[Stuart1971]

On 29/11/2020 at 13:55, steppenwolf said:

I have recently bought this one to replace my original that died after several years of faithful service in my observatory and it's working very well indeed and - importantly - it returns to its previous settings after a power cut.

Hi,

looking at buying one of these, so am I correct in assuming. that I could run this from a timer plug, as it will co tinge from where it left off each time it comes on, unlike some of the digital button types...?

cheers

Stuart

[steppenwolf]

On 05/05/2021 at 16:04, Stuart1971 said:

 

looking at buying one of these, so am I correct in assuming. that I could run this from a timer plug, as it will co tinge from where it left off each time it comes on, unlike some of the digital button

Yes, that would work fine - I actually switch mine off and on remotely but the important thing is that it retains its setting from the previous session.

[Stuart1971]

19 minutes ago, steppenwolf said:

Yes, that would work fine - I actually switch mine off and on remotely but the important thing is that it retains its setting from the previous session.

Thanks for the reply....

Yes I am now using it via a smart plug, and seems to work well, but am noticing a bit of water in the bottom of the unit under the container, I empty each day when there is about an inch of water, and when I remove there is a bit in the bottom, and it’s not coming from the water outlet spout....so am wondering if I have an issue....

Stuart