Dehumidifier

**drozenski** · 10-02-2011, 05:09 PM

I just picked up a dehumidifier. Its all rusty and im going to scrap it.

Any thing i should know about this?

I see it has a condenser or something in it. Does this have some chemicals in it i should worry about?

Thanks

**alperin** · 10-02-2011, 05:33 PM

There will be freon inside. Depending on the type, and your local regulations, it may be illegal / a bad idea to evacuate the refrigerant to the atmosphere. When I get one, I strip the wires and toss the rest in my mixed metal pile.

**injunjoe** · 10-02-2011, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by alperin

There will be freon inside. Depending on the type, and your local regulations, it may be illegal / a bad idea to evacuate the refrigerant to the atmosphere. When I get one, I strip the wires and toss the rest in my mixed metal pile.

Don't the freon leak out into atmosphere when the scrap yard loader crushes it with the steel? When all said and done it was you that allowed that to happen. Only thing is you lost out on the extra money, the ozone still gets the hit!

Strange world we live in, one guy says burn the wire don't worry about ozone yet others are giving away money to save it!

**drozenski** · 10-02-2011, 06:07 PM

Well if the environment gets hit either way i guess i can let it out.

Anything i should worry about with Freon? Just cut the tubes outside and let it be that?

**injunjoe** · 10-02-2011, 06:33 PM

The right way is to recover the freon! I will not tell you to just cut it loose, that is not legal. If one would develop a leak while moving it I would just avoid the gas as it will burn you if not careful. If it is not working there is a chance it has leaked out anyway, but Do Not cut a line thinking it is not under pressure.

**G_P** · 10-13-2011, 03:54 AM

How is the freon recovered out of dehumidifires? there are no service ports on them at all every single copper tube is soldered and one short one is crimped and soldered shut. Im assuming the crimped one is where it was filled but how would you open the system without cutting one of the tubes? So far the 2 I have broken down were already empty due to damage to the condenser coils but im sure Ill get a full one sooner or later.

**injunjoe** · 10-13-2011, 06:57 AM

A saddle valve service port would be needed.

**Torker Man** · 10-13-2011, 07:28 AM

there is money in recovered Freon too don't forget

**eesakiwi** · 10-15-2011, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by Torker Man

there is money in recovered Freon too don't forget

How much? Its NZ$2000 to get a reclaimer - US$1600.
I just let it leak out, pushs the oil out too.

My cat pissed on mine, the acidic urine ate thru the tiny copper tube & the gas leaked out....

**Mechanic688** · 10-15-2011, 02:21 AM

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=....c0.m270.l1313
There's one on there that has a $1. starting bid,,, If you have enough freon to recover, selling it would pay for one of the machines over and over.

**eesakiwi** · 10-15-2011, 11:59 PM

Since its a fridge motor powering it, theres 2Lb of copper in that part.
I have found the rest of the weight of sell able metals can vary by huge amounts, from $4 up to $40...