Need real dehumidifier

[Mastercraft]

What are best recommendations for dehumidifier for cabin and engine compartment that removes water using a drain tube? I want to drain water in sink and bilge. Two separate dehumidifies, smallest possible that will still be sufficient. I am not thrilled with “dehumidifier” heaters, chemicals, or light bulbs.
R29 2017 in anacortes 50 deg webasto heated cabin and 45 deg $250 (name?)
heater in engine compartment
I get lots of condensation in engine compartment.

 

[dbsea]

Hi Stan,

I can't speak to the engine compartment dehumidification, as I just rely on my engine compartment heater which automatically turns on below 40 degrees F. For cabin, I use this Midea Cube model. It's very robust and compressor based and keeps my entire boat at 50% humidity which is great. I also have a small tank-based dehumidifier in the head, just some cheap model from amazon. Hope this helps.

https://www.amazon.com/Midea-Dehumidifi ... 08ZMY8BC8/

 

[SKing]

I'm in Seattle and have used a desiccant dehumidifier in the shower stall for 2 seasons now and would happily replace it if it dies. (product is a "Ivation 19 Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier Compact and Quiet - with Continuous Drain Hose for Smaller Spaces, Bathroom, Attic, Crawlspace and Closets - for Spaces Up to 410 Sq Ft") It holds the humidity at 55% which in my mind is way better than a heater which changes the dew point but not the humidity. It also draws less amps and weights less than a compressor driven dehumidifier. Treat the engine compartment separately with the traditional heating element.

 

[SkookumR29]

We have been using a dehumidifier made by Perfect Aire for the past two years and have been happy with it. We set it on the galley counter and drain it into the sink with flexible hose that comes with it. It's designed for spaces up to 100 SF which suits our boats fine. That, in combination with a Camafro True North heater keep the boat - moored in Des Moines, WA - warm and dry. I often remove the floor hatch inside the cabin to let air circulate down into the engine bay as well.

 

[watson1987]

I recently purchase one of these from a recommendation of another forum member. It dumps directly into the kitchen sink with a hose. If you have WiFi on your boat, you can change the settings and see the current humidity level, which is a bonus.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMY8BC8?re ... tails&th=1

If you want long-running humidity and temperature monitoring, I recommend this one for the boat. I have one in my berth area, with the dehumidifier on the kitchen counter. These give me two spots to monitor humidity (one from the dehumidifier and one from the extra sensor)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4R ... UTF8&psc=1

 

[SJI Sailor]

I'm in Seattle and have used a desiccant dehumidifier in the shower stall for 2 seasons now and would happily replace it if it dies. (product is a "Ivation 19 Pint Small-Area Desiccant Dehumidifier Compact and Quiet - with Continuous Drain Hose for Smaller Spaces, Bathroom, Attic, Crawlspace and Closets - for Spaces Up to 410 Sq Ft") It holds the humidity at 55% which in my mind is way better than a heater which changes the dew point but not the humidity. It also draws less amps and weights less than a compressor driven dehumidifier. Treat the engine compartment separately with the traditional heating element.

We used exactly the same unit for three years until we sold our C30 (dehumidifier was still working great). We were very happy with it and it held humidity constant as SKing notes.

To drain it to the bilge (or sink) you can plug in a tube (3/8" ID if I recall correctly, or maybe 1/2) that causes the drainage to bypass the collection bin. No need even to remove the bin. Would buy again.

 

[Brian98133]

Question for those that drain the condensate into the sink: Do you find that the condensate harms the gelcoat below the outlet?
I know that anything that drains out of my galley sink dribbles down the outside, so given that condensate is acidic (pH 3-4ish), I worry it will harm the gelcoat.
Or, do you use a condensate neutralizer of any kind?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Mastercraft]

The PH of the water condensation down the drain is probably much better than all the other gray water affecting gel coat. If still worried, drain in bucket sitting in sink, then throw water overboard.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Interesting. Why is dehumidifier condensate acidic? I would expect it to be nearly neutral like distilled water.

As for the gel coat, can't answer as we drained ours to the bilge (dehumidifier near the cabin door, tube through the engine room hole and down to the bilge, with a hand cut plug to fill that hole in otherwise).

 

[SkookumR29]

Condensate from combustion like in a gas furnace is acidic as suggested above, but the water discharged from a dehumidifier is not really acidic; it's just moisture from the air we breathe. It has not caused any residue on our gelcoat.

 

[Brian98133]

Thank you for the input!

Since I only deal in gas-fired appliance condensate (boilers, water heaters, etc.), I wrongly assumed all condensate was acidic. Dehumidifiers' condensate pH is roughly 7 (neutral).

Old dog, but new trick learned! Thanks!