Dehumidifier suddenly stopped working

[Rollerball]

A few hours ago my dehumidifier was running just fine but all of a sudden it's stopped working (the orange power light is on though). I forget the model, it's in an awkward location so hard to see the make and model, but I recall buying it from B&Q at least 15 years ago .......... maybe time to buy a new one?

I am though curious what part may have failed - i should say that it's also feeling warmer than usual towards the top.

 

[Rollerball]

Update: Left it switched off overnight and just tried it again - it's working. No idea why it would have shut off yesterday (the water collector wasn't even nearly full). Perhaps it overheated (remember that it felt warmer than usual at the top) - but if it overheated, then why?

Will leave it running and see how it goes.

Edit: Half an hour later and it's shut itself off again.

Hmmmm.

 

[Burnerman]

Possibly dust build up within.....check any filters or dirt on the elements inside.
John

 

[Rollerball]

Thanks, will do.

BTW, the model is an Enviro-Dry Extra.

 

[Rollerball]

On taking it apart I found the cause of the problem - the fan wasn't spinning (I didn't notice this before as the compressor also makes a noise which tends to mask the fan noise). Gave the fan a flick with my finger and the fan rotated, the cooling "elements" at the rear started to cool (previously they were warm) and now, despite switching it on and off a few times, the fan is rotating okay.

So presumably the fan is on the way out? Not sure where to get a replacement fan motor though.

 

[Burnerman]

Try a bit of lube on each end of the fan spindle.....failing that, it's a motor you need!
John

 

[Rollerball]

WD40 or 3-in-1 oil?

BTW, from what I can read on the almost illegible motor label, it says: K3-12-250

Can't find that on the 'net though.

Edit: used some WD40 on the parts of the spindle that i can reach, fan seems to be spinning more freely, will continue to test.

If I do need to replace the motor (assuming I could even find a replacement) I'm not sure if I can, simply because I can't remove the existing motor. The problem is that the cooling "element" is of course in front of the fan, but I can't remove those because the whole unit is riveted in place. And with those in place I can't slide the fan and motor forward enough in order to take it out due to the long bolts that are integrated with the motor.

 

[Echo the husky]

A few tiny drops of sewing machine oil is better, WD40 tends to dry out, go sticky and attract all the nearby dust.

 

[Rollerball]

Thanks for the tip, I'll now get hold of some sewing machine oil and apply it when the fan spindle next seizes up.