A look inside a Meaco DD8L desiccant dehumidifier. (Which is actually a rebadged You Long YL-208A)
These dehumidifiers are much quieter than traditional compressor based ones. They work by rotating a drum of honeycombed desiccant material (zeolite) through an airflow from the area to be dehumidified, then through a heated section that drives the collected moisture out into a condensing panel.
I managed to fluff twice and suggest that these units are sensitive to being moved. They aren't. Traditional compressor dehumidifiers are sensitive to being moved during or just before use, since the refrigerant liquid can get into the compressor and stall it. These units can be dragged out the boot of a car and plugged straight in without a settling time.
The desiccant units are very lightweight since they do not contain much metal. Another advantage over the compressor versions is that these ones will operate efficiently down to near zero temperatures when there is virtually no moisture in the air anyway. Compressor units are very inefficient at low temperatures.
The reason for the air filter on the front of the unit is to prevent particulate from blocking the pores of the desiccant drum.
Although these units consume more power than an equivalent compressor unit with a low setting of typically 300W and a high setting of about 600W they don't use any more power overall since they bring the humidity down quickly and then turn off. The output is a stream of noticeably warm and very dry air.
These units are not to be confused with the absolutely useless desiccant dehumidifiers that are either a bag of silica gel or a chemical that absorbs moisture and then turns to slush in a plastic tub. The silica gel is OK for very small enclosed containers but not continuous room dehumidification.
Using a dehumidifier in a home prone to dampness like a coastal home or older style of building will solve many problems like mold and excess condensation on walls and windows. The dryer air is more comfortable and greatly reduces the need to heat the building excessively. Even at it's highest setting (about 600W) one of these units can be run continuously for a full day for considerably less than the cost of a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Most of these units have a laundry setting where wet washing can be hung indoors in the same room as the dehumidifier and it will dry it all quickly by removing the moisture from the air.
Although many of these units have quite complex electronic controls, I prefer the simpler version with just a high/low switch and a knob to set the desired humidity. Much simpler and potentially more reliable.
These dehumidifiers are much quieter than traditional compressor based ones. They work by rotating a drum of honeycombed desiccant material (zeolite) through an airflow from the area to be dehumidified, then through a heated section that drives the collected moisture out into a condensing panel.
I managed to fluff twice and suggest that these units are sensitive to being moved. They aren't. Traditional compressor dehumidifiers are sensitive to being moved during or just before use, since the refrigerant liquid can get into the compressor and stall it. These units can be dragged out the boot of a car and plugged straight in without a settling time.
The desiccant units are very lightweight since they do not contain much metal. Another advantage over the compressor versions is that these ones will operate efficiently down to near zero temperatures when there is virtually no moisture in the air anyway. Compressor units are very inefficient at low temperatures.
The reason for the air filter on the front of the unit is to prevent particulate from blocking the pores of the desiccant drum.
Although these units consume more power than an equivalent compressor unit with a low setting of typically 300W and a high setting of about 600W they don't use any more power overall since they bring the humidity down quickly and then turn off. The output is a stream of noticeably warm and very dry air.
These units are not to be confused with the absolutely useless desiccant dehumidifiers that are either a bag of silica gel or a chemical that absorbs moisture and then turns to slush in a plastic tub. The silica gel is OK for very small enclosed containers but not continuous room dehumidification.
Using a dehumidifier in a home prone to dampness like a coastal home or older style of building will solve many problems like mold and excess condensation on walls and windows. The dryer air is more comfortable and greatly reduces the need to heat the building excessively. Even at it's highest setting (about 600W) one of these units can be run continuously for a full day for considerably less than the cost of a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Most of these units have a laundry setting where wet washing can be hung indoors in the same room as the dehumidifier and it will dry it all quickly by removing the moisture from the air.
Although many of these units have quite complex electronic controls, I prefer the simpler version with just a high/low switch and a knob to set the desired humidity. Much simpler and potentially more reliable.
About that drum motor, took it apart completely, nothing wrong in sight, reassembled but without the output shaft and gear, turned on the dehumidifier, still the direction is random every time, cw spinning, ccw free spinning. Strangest thing.
Just bought used different brand unit with an issue, similar circuit, but the drum motor randomly starts in the wrong direction and then only hums because it's cw only. Any ideas why the circuit does not bias it's starting direction?
Thanks for this.
Hello,thanks for the video. What means the red led ALARM? YL-208A
you eliminate mysteries, it's good to know the truth, you must have a huge amount of knowledge, it's a bit like a picture puzzle, the more you know, the simpler it becomes. the more I learn, the more I relise there is no end to learning, but we will not live for ever, I will not know when I'm dead.. thanks.
I have- " EcoAir DD3 Simple " desiccant dehumidifier. been using it for the last 6 years, no problem, just remember to clean the filter, not saying that they are any better or worse, than your one.I have no heating in my home, it gets down to 0 degrees celsius indoors, but the lower the humidity, the lower heat transfer is, I do not feel so cold, plus it does warm the air up a bit.
damp air is lighter, so it rises, so would it be better to suspend the dehumidifier higher up, so that it can grab the damper air, and attach a hose to the dehumidifier down to a water container
Big Clive sent me here.
Você ganhou mais um fã 👍🏻🇧🇷🙏
Have one of these (the Meaco DD8L not the Junior) which appears to be dead (but not totally), I have 5v and 12v on the main board(so thermal fuses are ok) but no response to any key presses/no led's and no signs of life. I suspect the surface mounted micro underneath has given up 😞unless anyone has had this fault before??? The board is dated 2015 so a revised version of what you have here (without the glass fuse).
what the lifespan of theses zeolite disk? Are spare pieces available?
I'm a long time subscriber, I just bought one of these for a 5er today and took it apart because it was absolutely filthy with dust inside and out. I accidentally snapped the fan when putting the fan bolt back on because I overtightened it, woops, luckily a bit of superglue sorted that. I did vacuum the drum to try get the dust out of it, I think compressed air would have worked better but i dont have access to a compressor. Mine does go into fault mode when on low fan settings which implies its overheating, not sure why as I've cleaned it very thoroughly. But its working a treat on high fan speeds. I had no idea desiccant drum dehumidifiers existed 24hrs ago. Very cool tech.
Anyway to see this dehumidifier on your youtube was a great coincidence and relief. I probably should have watched this video first before taking mine apart, it would have saved me searching for the screws under the buttons.
Very good explanation of how the desiccant dehumidifier works
I actually find the sound of air compressors in dehumidifiers and small air conditioners very soothing. They can actually help me to sleep.
Why does it heat up the air?
Hi Clive, thanks for excellent video. My dd8l has dead front panel, but has mains to control board and -6v and -12 v are ok, do you know what value Vdd should be? Or what can I check to get lights to control panel?
Cheers
How hot does that heater get? I’m wondering if I could rig up waste heat at 130 degrees Fahrenheit to handle that.
Thank you for this video! After watching it I understood which components were what and was able to fix my own desiccant dehumidifier!