Converting a portable dehumidifier into an air conditioner

[Jed Lau]

Hi,

Air coolers remove humidity from the air by collecting the condensation on the
cooling pipes. Most portable dehumidifiers on the market today are simply air
coolers that heat the outgoing air back to room temperature. Doesn't this
mean, though, that if you can disable the air heating mechanism in the
dehumidifier, you have yourself a portable air conditioner? If this is
possible, consumers can save a pretty penny. I bought my Kenmore dehumidifier
for $170. A portable air conditioner, on the other hand, on the market starts
around $500. Why the price difference? Has anyone "hacked" a dehumidifier to
convert it into an air conditioner before? Thanks.

Jed

[unknown]

Post by Jed Lau
Hi,
Air coolers remove humidity from the air by collecting the condensation on the
cooling pipes. Most portable dehumidifiers on the market today are simply air
coolers that heat the outgoing air back to room temperature. Doesn't this
mean, though, that if you can disable the air heating mechanism in the
dehumidifier, you have yourself a portable air conditioner? If this is
possible, consumers can save a pretty penny. I bought my Kenmore dehumidifier
for $170. A portable air conditioner, on the other hand, on the market starts
around $500. Why the price difference? Has anyone "hacked" a dehumidifier to
convert it into an air conditioner before? Thanks.
Jed

There is no air heating mechanism. The refrigeration cycle has a hot
side and a cold side - on an air conditioner you pump the heat to the
outside, on a dehumidifier it is returned to the room.
A dehumidifier will work as an air conditioner, but at less than 1000
BTU so you would need at least 5 to equal a (small) 5000 BTU air
conditioner.

[CM]

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[Tim]

Post by Jed Lau
Hi,
Air coolers remove humidity from the air by collecting the condensation on the
cooling pipes. Most portable dehumidifiers on the market today are simply air
coolers that heat the outgoing air back to room temperature. Doesn't this
mean, though, that if you can disable the air heating mechanism in the
dehumidifier, you have yourself a portable air conditioner? If this is
possible, consumers can save a pretty penny. I bought my Kenmore dehumidifier
for $170. A portable air conditioner, on the other hand, on the market starts
around $500. Why the price difference? Has anyone "hacked" a dehumidifier to
convert it into an air conditioner before? Thanks.
Jed

I build large ducted dehumidifiers for installation in homes. Basically you have
an air conditioning unit that uses the heat normally rejected outside to reheat
the dried air. One could move this condenser coil(the hot side) and blow air
through it to outside and have an air conditioner. The down side and the reason
they are $170.00 is that even the large ones are only about 3000 BTUs. I have
dismantled some that are in the 1300-1500 BTU range. Not much cooling potential
there.

[b***@gmail.com]

I am fromumbai ,
have dehumidifier ,want to use as Airconditioner .

[Jim Wilkins]

wrote in message news:40297e20-ef02-4915-9834-***@googlegroups.com...

I am fromumbai ,
have dehumidifier ,want to use as Airconditioner .

================================

The difference between them is that an air conditioner puts the condenser
(hot) coil outdoors with its own fan and a barrier separating it from the
indoor evaporator (cold) coil. A dehumidifier has both coils indoors so the
condenser reheats the air the evaporator cooled and dried, saving some
electricity.

An air conditioner is also a good dehumidifier if you drain the water that
otherwise pools under and helps cool the condenser but turning a
dehumidifier into an air conditioner may be much more trouble than it's
worth, unless you can do it without cutting and extending the refrigerant
tubing.

[Moses Bedibo]

I am fromumbai ,
have dehumidifier ,want to use as Airconditioner .
================================
The difference between them is that an air conditioner puts the condenser
(hot) coil outdoors with its own fan and a barrier separating it from the
indoor evaporator (cold) coil. A dehumidifier has both coils indoors so the
condenser reheats the air the evaporator cooled and dried, saving some
electricity.
An air conditioner is also a good dehumidifier if you drain the water that
otherwise pools under and helps cool the condenser but turning a
dehumidifier into an air conditioner may be much more trouble than it's
worth, unless you can do it without cutting and extending the refrigerant
tubing.

It's possible to convert dehumidifier to air conditioner but then you need involve an electricians to disconnect the power first. Because dehumidifier uses both the condenser and the evaporator in its process converting into air conditioner, you have to remove the condenser at place it outside the frame (the back) reverse the air flow of the fan towards the condenser. Note that the condenser always produces heat therefore, you must block between the condenser and the evaporator and then grand a fridge square fan to the condenser to throw the heat that emits from the condenser outside.

In doing so, you would have extend the capillary tube since you are bringing the condenser outside and ensure that the capillary tubes are soldered well to avoid any leakages as it may diminish the refrigerant of the condenser. If you want to know more, contact me via email address ***@gmail.com. Regards

[Jim Wilkins]

I am fromumbai ,
have dehumidifier ,want to use as Airconditioner .
================================
The difference between them is that an air conditioner puts the condenser
(hot) coil outdoors with its own fan and a barrier separating it from the
indoor evaporator (cold) coil. A dehumidifier has both coils indoors so the
condenser reheats the air the evaporator cooled and dried, saving some
electricity.
An air conditioner is also a good dehumidifier if you drain the water that
otherwise pools under and helps cool the condenser but turning a
dehumidifier into an air conditioner may be much more trouble than it's
worth, unless you can do it without cutting and extending the refrigerant
tubing.

It's possible to convert dehumidifier to air conditioner but then you need
involve an electricians to disconnect the power first. Because dehumidifier
uses both the condenser and the evaporator in its process converting into
air conditioner, you have to remove the condenser at place it outside the
frame (the back) reverse the air flow of the fan towards the condenser.
Note that the condenser always produces heat therefore, you must block
between the condenser and the evaporator and then grand a fridge square fan
to the condenser to throw the heat that emits from the condenser outside.

In doing so, you would have extend the capillary tube since you are bringing
the condenser outside and ensure that the capillary tubes are soldered well
to avoid any leakages as it may diminish the refrigerant of the condenser.
If you want to know more, contact me via email address
***@gmail.com. Regards

---------------------------

You will be jailed for life and damned for all Eternity if you crack the
tubing and let the refrigerant escape.