Anyone have the answer?

[JWFilips]

Hi Guys,
Since I know we have some great minds here and good mechanical knowledge as well.
I would like to ask a question. Not cast bullet related, however:

I run two dehumidifiers in my basement during our warm months. One is an old workhorse Sears Kenmore It has been working well for 30 + years and also a Fridgidare which is only 6 years old.
No problems with the Kenmore but the Fridgidare ices up pretty constantly. I have cleaned it well and did all the mantainence as usually but it keeps happening. Is there any kind of magic spray product that I can use on the core to stop this?
Thanks

 

[Ben]

I'm certain that I don't fit into the following.....great minds here and good mechanical knowledge as well....BUT.....

Salts like sodium chloride (-20°C), calcium chloride (-30°C) or fluids like glycerine will lower the freezing point and prevent freezing.

 

[JonB]

I've run two dehumidifiers in my two cellars, since I moved into this house in 1993.

Freeze ups:
Generally it's due to poor air flow, is there a filter that may need cleaning ?
OR if there is something partially blocking the air inlet or exhaust.

OR maybe it's a poor design? If the chassis doesn't seem to allow a lot of airflow, I'd consider some modification to allow more airflow. I came across that idea with one I had that'd freeze up, and after many times taking it apart to clean it, I left the outside cover off and then it didn't freeze up, but it did leave a lot of stuff exposed that'd be undesirable if you had a curious child in the house.

 

[Josh]

Point a box fan at the offending ice, this should help if you don't want to rip it apart

 

[JWFilips]

JonB,
Everything has been cleaned a shop vac'd But the cover on the thing is most likely made for looks …not function So I may just take it off. I don't have to worry because the only onr that would be sticking fingers in to it would be me!
Fans well : I was toying with a "Supercharger" concept in that when it Ices up it puts warm are out the exhaust Thinking I would channel some of that warm air back across the intake ( but that may mess with the humidistat)
I was wondering if that rustolium Nano Technologies coating may work It is 2 part clear sprays that coat stuff so water forms 360 deg droplets

 

[Ian]

Poor airflow, or the low pressure cutoff switch or evaporator temp probe/sensor is out of whack, causing the compressor to run below the freeze-up point.

 

[Pistolero]

IIRC, a refrigeration unit getting too cold and icing is either too low airflow (as mentioned
several times above) or it can be low on refrigerant. I had a central unit that would leak
down and every other year, like clockwork, the A-coil would ice up and I would have some
Freon added.

Bill

 

[Ian]

There still should be a sensor whose job it is to shut down the compressor to prevent the evaporator from gettting below 33°F freeze-up due to any problem in the system (low charge, lack of maintenance, dead raccon in a duct, etc.) SHOULD is the operative word. Not everything is engineered with contingencies in mind.

 

[Pistolero]

Yes, but given that a dehumidifier is a lower cost product, my bet is that they don't have them.

My home AC didn't have one, although it was installed in about 1984, so maybe just old fashioned
and before they came out.

Bill

 

[JWFilips]

Well based on "simple is as simple does": Therer is a mesh filter in front of the core. But it has been vacuumed and washed clean.
But today I decided to just remove it to increase air flow.....Well that did it! Ice free at my basement is 55% RH!
Thanks for the information to give my mind a kick!

 

[JonB]

Glad it's workin' now.