A complete model overview for my ZD309 Y9 LG dehumidifier from PartSelect.com. Includes repair parts, symptom troubleshooting, repair videos and more for my appliance. Zenith ZD309 - page 11 ENGLISH Owner’s Manual 11 Operating Instructions Operating Instructions CONTROL Your dehumidifier has a control panel containing an indicator and two controls — Auto Shut-Off, Fan Speed, and Humidity Control. Auto Shut-Off -This lamp glows when the bucket is full or missing.
Potential Malfunctions & Repair Methods
The guide below is comprised in an order as if a technician would inspect the device. However, since some solutions are cost effective it is worth exploring them as they can save you the cost of brand new dehumidifier.
Note: This guide would generally apply to all dehumidifier brands such as Danby, Costway, Frigidaire, Afloia, Honeywell, TOSOT, hOmeLabs, and many others.
Intent of this guide is to help homeowners troubleshoot and correct issues when dehumidifiers fail to collect water. We also encourage if you find other solutions or issues while troubleshooting to please let us know via commenting below.
Part Notes: It is best to purchase any parts directly from the manufacturer as it will meet the product requirements.
Different dehumidifiers have different features that help them work well in variant climatic conditions. For instance, some are designed for basements or wet areas, which means that they can function in places where there’s too much moisture in the air or possibly low temperatures. These models usually have anti-defrost system, which unfreezes the coils while others use desiccants.Other types, however, especially those that use evaporator coils require relatively higher temperatures to function effectively. These are often equipped with a fan that blows warm air over the coils.
Nevertheless, when the dehumidifiers are placed in extremely cold places, the coils are likely to freeze up, which lowers their ability to remove excess moisture from the air.
- WARNING: Before you begin to troubleshoot any further, it is recommended to unplug the dehumidifier from power source.
Note: If the low temperature or type of the dehumidifier being used is not the issue and intake/exhaust fan is running (i.e. dehumidifier is taking in air and throwing air out) it is potentially possible that the Compressor is not running.
Following should be checked to troubleshoot the compressor.
There are 2 Capacitor located inside each type of Dehumidifier.
Zenith Dehumidifier Troubleshooting- Capacitor for a compressor – This one helps run the compressor.
- Capacitor for a fan motor – This one helps run the fan.
If the dehumidifier is running and both intake/exhaust fans are also running there is a very high chance your capacitor is gone bad for the compressor as the compressor is no longer able to rotate the refrigerant.
Processor for mac os. Check out this video: How to troubleshoot capacitor issue in a dehumidifier.
This component is responsible for protecting the compressor motor from becoming damaged. It accomplishes this by preventing excessive power flow within the device.
Potential Malfunctions & Repair Methods
The guide below is comprised in an order as if a technician would inspect the device. However, since some solutions are cost effective it is worth exploring them as they can save you the cost of brand new dehumidifier.
Note: This guide would generally apply to all dehumidifier brands such as Danby, Costway, Frigidaire, Afloia, Honeywell, TOSOT, hOmeLabs, and many others.
Intent of this guide is to help homeowners troubleshoot and correct issues when dehumidifiers fail to collect water. We also encourage if you find other solutions or issues while troubleshooting to please let us know via commenting below.
Part Notes: It is best to purchase any parts directly from the manufacturer as it will meet the product requirements.
Different dehumidifiers have different features that help them work well in variant climatic conditions. For instance, some are designed for basements or wet areas, which means that they can function in places where there’s too much moisture in the air or possibly low temperatures. These models usually have anti-defrost system, which unfreezes the coils while others use desiccants.Other types, however, especially those that use evaporator coils require relatively higher temperatures to function effectively. These are often equipped with a fan that blows warm air over the coils.
Nevertheless, when the dehumidifiers are placed in extremely cold places, the coils are likely to freeze up, which lowers their ability to remove excess moisture from the air.
- WARNING: Before you begin to troubleshoot any further, it is recommended to unplug the dehumidifier from power source.
Note: If the low temperature or type of the dehumidifier being used is not the issue and intake/exhaust fan is running (i.e. dehumidifier is taking in air and throwing air out) it is potentially possible that the Compressor is not running.
Following should be checked to troubleshoot the compressor.
There are 2 Capacitor located inside each type of Dehumidifier.
Zenith Dehumidifier Troubleshooting- Capacitor for a compressor – This one helps run the compressor.
- Capacitor for a fan motor – This one helps run the fan.
If the dehumidifier is running and both intake/exhaust fans are also running there is a very high chance your capacitor is gone bad for the compressor as the compressor is no longer able to rotate the refrigerant.
Processor for mac os. Check out this video: How to troubleshoot capacitor issue in a dehumidifier.
This component is responsible for protecting the compressor motor from becoming damaged. It accomplishes this by preventing excessive power flow within the device.
Therefore, if the overload isn’t working, the compressor won’t receive any electrical power and thus it will not start even when it’s fully functional.
Potential Cause: In addition to various reasons, overload devices mostly fail when there’s short-circuiting within the system.
Solution:- First inspect the dehumidifier circuit board for any sign of burning or shot-circuiting.
- Locate the overload device and test it with the multimeter to see if it is functional if not then replace it.
Compressor is tasked with the responsibility of circulating the refrigerant throughout the system. When it’s broken, the refrigerant won’t be rotated, meaning that the coils will fail to condense humidity from the saturated air and thus send it out of the system while it still has water.
A broken compressor can manifest through a clicking sound when the device is turned on. Besides a faulty compressor, a dehumidifier may also become ineffective when related components like the capacitor or the overload device fail (both are discussed above as they are cheap repair solutions).
The refrigerant denotes the liquid contained in the evaporator coils, which helps to trap moisture from the air circulated within the dehumidifier. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that without the refrigerant, the dehumidifier cannot function.
Potential Cause: While coils are designed to resist leakage, the refrigerant’s vibrations and progressive aging of the equipment can cause perforations and breakage, which can lead to refrigerant leakage.
When these tiny holes go undetected for long, the refrigerant might decrease to dangerous levels. This, in turn, reduces the ability of the dehumidifier to collect water.
Solution: To check for leaks, homeowners should disconnect the device from the power source and remove the casing to examine the coils. In many cases, leaks occur around the joints and areas that have been soldered.Leaks in the refrigerant coils can be corrected, but for this professional dehumidifier repair technician is required. However, it would be recommended to invest in a brand new unit due to the repair costs.
A fan is tasked with drawing in air from the environment into the system. This air goes through the condenser coils that help with condensing the humidity within it. Therefore, if the fan isn’t blowing in enough air, the equipment will have a low output. Some of the factors that contribute to this issue include:
- Faulty Fan Blade
This component is susceptible to breakage, which mostly happens when it rubs against the housing.
Zenith Dehumidifier ProblemsTo troubleshoot this issue, homeowners should try to turn it by hand and see if it’s moving freely.
Solution: The best way to correct this issue is by replacing the fan blade which can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. In addition to inspecting for breakage, users should also wiggle the motor shaft to see if it’s loose. If the fan blade wiggles, they should tighten the screws.
- Defective Fan Motor
If the blades are okay but the dehumidifier still doesn’t draw in enough air, the motor is the next likely culprit. You should first determine whether the motor is getting enough power. If power is not the issue, the motor could be broken, at which point it requires replacement.
Solution: For defective fan motor it is recommended to get professional dehumidifier technician. This is still a cost effective solution.
Other possible culprit preventing the dehumidifier from drawing enough air could be a blocked grill. As such, homeowners should inspect the grill for debris, dust or dirt and subsequently clean up such barriers. They should also remove any clothing that could be blocking the grill from outside. This is the same grill that was shown in the Capacitor troubleshooting process above.
If none of the above components have a defect, the problem could be within the electrical system. The electrical board, also known as PCB contains sensors that automatically detect the levels of relative humidity (RH) and kick starts the system when the desired moisture level is exceeded.
When the homeowner’s preferred humidity levels are exceeded but neither the fan nor the compressor work, the problem lies on the PCB.
Solution: For defective PCB, dehumidifier should be checked by professional refrigeration technician.
That’s it folks, this is almost everything for a DIY dehumidifier repair. If you are unable to fix it and need to get a new dehumidifier then check out this guide for some very good dehumidifiers in the market.
Take Care & Good Luck!
Updates: Jun 30 2019, Post was reviewed and edited by certified heating and cooling technician.
Updates: Sep 24 2019, edited.
I am finding that there is condensation on the top of my dehumidifier I purchased from Home Depot. The moisture is on the top near the control panel spreading the complete width of the unit. Additionally the moisture collects from the front to about an inch back (a little further back in the center of the unit). The area where the moisture is located is very cold. It is cold for a complete 3 inches back from the front. The remaining surface area of the unit is room tempurature.
The unit is still dehumitifying.. air is flowing through the device. So I believe the unt is functioning; still this condensation is out of the ordinary leaving wondering if the device is could be starting to fail or needs maintenance. Additionally, I've read the reviews since I purchased it.. they are not nearly like they were when I bought it. When I bought it it had a 4 star rating.. Now it is barely 2 many stating short life span.
So what can anyone tell me about this conidtion or my next steps toward resolution.
Thank and with respect.
Zenith Dehumidifier PartsDave
