dehumidifier - bypass humidistat and run via timer?

I have a PerfectAire 50-pint dehumidifier running in my basement. No matter where I set the desired % level, it runs 24/7. Is there a way for me to bypass the stat, and just run it off a 3-prong light timer? Like 30 minutes every 2 hours? When I unplug it from the wall and plug it back in, it doesn't restart until I press some buttons on the front front display panel

fbelec said:

it might have a 3 to 5 minute delay when you reset the percentage of dry. if by running the thing on the moisture very high so it doesn't run and it runs on it's highest moisture setting the humidistat is no good. call the company support line. it should only be set for 50% humidity. if it runs to long it will heat the space that it blows into at least 10 degrees higher than it should. i run mine in my basement on 50% and it feels like i have the ac on dry but still cool

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After playing with the controls and watching it the last couple days, I'm beginning to think that the fan runs 24/7 but the compressor only kicks on as needed. Is this how they are designed to operate? I can hear the compressor cycle but the fan is always running

I tested your theory about the delay, but even 24 hours later, it is still running. I set it as high at 90% RH, and it never turned off. The basement is cool and dry as it should be. It is pulling water from the air; I diverted the drain hose into a 2-liter flask and it overflowed into the sink the next day

wow, that's scary on the recall - first I have heard of that fire danger!

alright, I'm going to return this piece of junk for a refund. Any recommendations on a brand to look for as a replacement?

zrock said:

Depending on the size of your space it will take longer than 24 hours for the machine to bring down the humidity. Especially in a basement you are pulling all the moisture out of the concrete as well. In the winter i run one and it takes well over a week and if i try to bring it down to 50% it can take up to 3-4 weeks but i also shut it off at night because its right by the bedroom.

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we've had it running for a month already this summer, so it should be pretty well stabilized by now, and not "catching up". I can confirm that is is working due to the fact that the air feels cool and dry, no mold growing anywhere, and it is dumping water down the drain. The problem is that once it hits the setpoint, the fan keeps running even though the compressor is not

that's interesting; mine doesn't have a manual mode. The only option besides automatic is a delayed-start or countdown timer