Relay for Dampp-Chaser/ Kenmore dehumidifier interface

[Sarah Fox]

Hi Thump,

I saw this thread only today.  (I've been preoccupied with other computer
stuff the past few days.)  If you're not worried about a (very) audible
click when the dehumidifier switches on and off, you can use a "contacter,"
which is basically a heavy-duty relay for air conditioner compressors (which
is what your dehumidifier really is).  Unlike light duty relays, a contacter
uses a bit of inertia to knock the electrical contacts loose.  You will need
a 28V transformer to power it.  You would simply wire the transformer's
primary coil to an electrical plug, which you would plug into the DC.  Wire
the secondary side of the 28V transformer to the coil on the contacter.
Finally, cut a heavy duty extension cord in two, and wire the two ends to
either side of the contacter's switch contacts.  Plug one end of the cord
into the wall outlet, and plug the dehumidifier into the other end.

You can get these parts from an air conditioner (or HVAC) supply company.
You'll probably want the smallest contacter you can find.  You may want to
provide them with a specification for the LRA (locked rotor amps), or the
"start-up amperage."  That will be higher than the running amperage.  (But
if the LRA doesn't exceed 15A, you can probably just use the DC's switch,
without all the other stuff.)

Hope that helps.  :-)

Peace,
Sarah



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gordon stelter" <lclgcnp@yahoo.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 11:12 PM
Subject: Relay for Dampp-Chaser/ Kenmore dehumidifier interface


> Dear List,
>      I would like to interface my Kenmore dehumidifier
> with a  Dampp-Chaser humidistat, to control the
> humidity in my studio. I don't trust the dehumidifier
> ( it stuck in the "On" position and fried a very nice
> grand last fall! ) so I want to connect it to a
> Dampp-Cahser humidistat. Obviously, I need a relay, as
> the humidistat can't handle the power draw of the
> Kenmore dehumidifier.
>     Any of you Gizmologists (TM) out there know of an
> off-the shelf relay that would be good for this?
>
>     Thanks!
>     Thump
>
>
>
>
>
>
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