Dehumidifier Plan for wet house Scuppered!

[Jaeger]

Needing help in the Northwest, Blackpool area.

Anyhows. Bought a damp house and investigating and planning restoration, some of it can't be done till spring/summer next year.
Needing a dehumidifier, long term. Didn't want the long cost of hiring so I bought one at auction.

That's right, it doesn't dehumidify! Bugger. So I want to fix it.

It's an ex-hire Calorex Porta-Dry PD300AJX. Specs are great as it'll operate at low temps (below 20 degrees).
Stripped the outer casing off and can't see anything that looks like damage, The fan works and the compressor runs.
I've got a vacuum pump, so thinking I'll test for leaks before doing anything else.
This area is completely new to me and I'm hoping I can find some help. There are no valves on the pipework, which would need to be added. Thankfully my soldering/brazing is good enough for gas so should be able to deal with that.


Does anyone have anything to input or am I just another crazy person?

The refridgerant type is R407o

[frank]

With no valves on the pipework, it is classed as an 'hermetic system'
You will need a line tap valve, recovery unit, cylinder and scales.
Then you will need to open the system and purge with oxygen free nitrogen before applying any heat.
Refrigerant lines are brazed, not soldered, unless it is with Silver Solder (ususally for dissimilar materials). Plumbing solder is not suitable for the pressures inside a refrigerant circuit
You will also need a Refrigerant Handling Licence otherwise you will be breaking the law
Your best bet would be for a qualified fridgy to have a look at it.

[seanf]

Is the compressor building pressure/creating a vacuum ok?

[Jaeger]

With no valves on the pipework, it is classed as an 'hermetic system'
You will need a line tap valve, recovery unit, cylinder and scales.
Then you will need to open the system and purge with oxygen free nitrogen before applying any heat.
Refrigerant lines are brazed, not soldered, unless it is with Silver Solder (ususally for dissimilar materials). Plumbing solder is not suitable for the pressures inside a refrigerant circuit
You will also need a Refrigerant Handling Licence otherwise you will be breaking the law
Your best bet would be for a qualified fridgy to have a look at it.

A local as far out as Preston would be welcomed can transport it to them.
I don't want to be set up as an engineer. I can get the pierce valves on and can even pull a vacuum, wouldn't have anywhere for any residual to go, someone set up for all this could guide me I'd be happy to pay and do the donkey work to save his/her valuable time.
I can do most things but always bow to speciality and experience.

[Jaeger]

Is the compressor building pressure/creating a vacuum ok?

Don't know Sean, I have no valves to connect to yet!