Dessicant dehumidifier - Recommendations?

[opticalpath]

Hi, Is anyone using a dessicant-type dehumidifier that they would recommend, for an 7'x7' wooden obsy. shed?

Thanks,

Adrian

[ampleamp]

my office very kindly provided one of these for my 8x8; i am told it will deal with what i want very easily, but ask me again in a week. Apparently one of the bods at DiO is an astrophotographer himself and uses one of these

X-Dry Dehumidifier | DD322 Dehumidifier | Boat and Caravan | Dehumidifiers

also, do a search on dehumidifiers, some people are using similar types, some are using bags of silica beads, some don't seem to want/need anything

[Dave Smith]

I use this one from the same company but a little cheaper.

ELA DD822 Dehumidifier & Laundry Drier | Laundry Driers | Dehumidifiers

I've had it since the Autumn and have had no condensation at all throughout the cold or damp weather in my Skyshed POD. I have it on the lowest setting - so in principle it could cope with more severe conditions. I would highly recommend it.

Dave

[martin_h]

With all the gaps around the running gear of my ROR I would need one that ran full bore 24/7. The scope side of my obs has damp air in it but never to the point where it drips.

[opticalpath]

Thanks guys. These DiO units look good.

Do you find them economical to run?

Do you leave them on continuously at low setting or give them a daily blast on the timer, or what?

Thanks

Adrian

[steppenwolf]

I have one similar to Dave's and I leave it on auto 24/7 - I have no idea how economical or otherwise it is that's not the point (!) but it keeps my gear in perfect condition all year.

[Psychobilly]

Having spent the morning stripping and cleaning an SCT and Frac I will be buying the Unit that Dave suggested in the near future...

I am hoping cost wise it will be about the same as I have been paying when using the Frost heater and Desicant tablets...but doing a much better job...

Billy...

[steppenwolf]

Trust me , Peter, it will do an excellent job - don't be tempted to get a refrigerant version though as they start to lose their efficiency as the temperature drops.

[Psychobilly]

Cheers Steve...

With the way the weather seems to be going it looks like it will be an essential accessory

[opticalpath]

Right, I'm up for one of these too then! Sounds like a very effective solution.

I'm going to take a look also at the similar spec DD122FW model. Roger Banks at dry-it-out.com told me that's the one he has in his own observatory. It's not the very latest model, but I read somewhere that the build quality is particularly good.

Adrian

[Psychobilly]

After a Chat with the very nice man at DIO I ordered the DD822 and should have it tomorrow

Going to pick these two up tomorrow to keep an eye on it

http://www.maplin.co.uk/plug-in-electricity-cost-and-usage-calculator-223573

http://www.maplin.co.uk/desktop-weather-station-224257

Probably put the wireless weather stations indoor unit in there for a week or so to see how it copes...

Billy...

[opticalpath]

I've ordered the DD122FW. Looking forward to no more damp walls and rusty screws!

Adrian

[Helen]

.....and I'm joining this bandwagon too :-) and thinking of adding some damp-proof course material alongside the wheels to try to avoid dehumidifying the whole area!! (I need to get my wheels upgraded first though, so that I get the height right.)

Helen

[Psychobilly]

After spending a few hours stripping and cleaning the scopes I decided enough was enough... beside which it can pop in the house for a few hours every now and again and save me buying the tablets for the humidity stops...

[opticalpath]

Yep, I can see mine doing double duty in the airing cupboard too!

BTW, 10% discount from DiO for members of the UKAI forum.

Adrian

[Psychobilly]

Doh forgot to ask

[Helen]

Thanks for the heads up on the discount - off to email now! (hope its not too late!)

Helen

[Psychobilly]

Mine arrived around midday and has cleared the condesation off the windows in the Office and dropped the RH from 54% to 49% in just over an hour... well impressed as its a big space and the doors to the factory floor are open as well

1 litre of water in the tank after 2 hours...

Billy...

[opticalpath]

I just got mine too and left it on auto in the obs. shed. When I went back out a few hours later, over a litre of water in the tank that would otherwise presumably still be lurking in the walls, floor etc. - excellent!

Adrian

[Dave Smith]

It doesn't take many emptyings of the tank to drill a hole and have it on continuous drain.

Dave

[opticalpath]

<< It doesn't take many emptyings of the tank to drill a hole and have it on continuous drain. >>

Yes, I can see me doing that soon too!

Adrian