Controller + Dehuey Question

[Aheadatime]

Currently revamping my setup, and thinking about getting a controller. Been using one of those dehueys from the box store with a built-in drain pump set to whatever RH I'd want, but it can be inaccurate at times, allowing for small windows of time (esp at night) where the RH spikes for a half hour or so. This time around I want more precision, hence the controller. But some dehueys need to be manually turned back on after a power loss. Are there controller-specific dehueys you guys are familiar with? Or am I misunderstanding how the controller/dehue work together?

 

[SheeshM]

I use an Inkbird Controller and Frigidaire DH and it works well. I set the RH on the dehumidifier to 35 and let the controller cycle the machine on and off based on your settings. You have to set the RH on the controller and also the amount of variance from the set point before the unit is turned back on. Takes a little tweaking but it's a good setup for my 4x4 tent. I run the DH in the room the tent is in but also run a 4 inch slinky duct from part of the DH output grill to a tent port. Hope this helps.

Inkbird RH
Firgidaire DH

 

[Renfro]

You need to test that the dehuey will automatically restart after a power outage. While it's running unplug it. Wait a couple minutes and plug it back it. If it restarts and keeps the settings you had then it will work with a controller.

 

[Aheadatime]

You need to test that the dehuey will automatically restart after a power outage. While it's running unplug it. Wait a couple minutes and plug it back it. If it restarts and keeps the settings you had then it will work with a controller.

Sorry, forgot to add the important piece of info that I'm getting a new dehuey lol. The one I currently have is being gifted to a friend. I can't test the ones in the store, though most stores do have good return policies these days.

 

[Aheadatime]

I use an Inkbird Controller and Frigidaire DH and it works well. I set the RH on the dehumidifier to 35 and let the controller cycle the machine on and off based on your settings. You have to set the RH on the controller and also the amount of variance from the set point before the unit is turned back on. Takes a little tweaking but it's a good setup for my 4x4 tent. I run the DH in the room the tent is in but also run a 4 inch slinky duct from part of the DH output grill to a tent port. Hope this helps.

Inkbird RH
Firgidaire DH

Thanks brother. I'll bookmark that dehuey.

 

[Renfro]

Sorry, forgot to add the important piece of info that I'm getting a new dehuey lol. The one I currently have is being gifted to a friend. I can't test the ones in the store, though most stores do have good return policies these days.

Look for the spec "Auto restart after outage"

 

[Renfro]

If you have a large grow I recommend Phoenix dehuey's

 

[Aheadatime]

Look for the spec "Auto restart after outage"

If you have a large grow I recommend Phoenix dehuey's

Thanks Ren. The room is just a 10-lighter, something like 22x11. My trusty old 70-pint worked well with a previous 8-light room, and was usually only running hard at night, so I'm gonna try another one for the 10 light room and see if she's adequate. You run a controller unit?

 

[Renfro]

Thanks Ren. The room is just a 10-lighter, something like 22x11. My trusty old 70-pint worked well with a previous 8-light room, and was usually only running hard at night, so I'm gonna try another one for the 10 light room and see if she's adequate. You run a controller unit?

My controller is running a swamp cooler to add humidity since it's so dry here in Colorado.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

I had the same concerns about using a dehumidifier with a controller. I use a controller for my heater, co2, cooling, and dehumidifying. I use an analog dehuey with a dial control on it that varies from constant on one end to very little on the other. i set my dehumidifier to constant, and my controller to the specific % I want and the controller turns it on and off. Good luck finding anything but Frigidaire analogs. They used to make several sizes, but I think they just make 30 pints per day units now, which I use, and mine works like I'd hoped. @Renfro is right though if it says auto restart after power outage i bet you're good.

 

[Renfro]

If you use a controller just set the dehuey to it's lowest setting and call it good. What I do with a dehuey is I set it to where it needs to be such that my controller thats reliable shows the room is at the proper RH%. My dehuey is on a timer so it only runs when the lights are off to keep the room down at 50% since I am often at 60% in the day and when the lights go out it cools down and the RH% goes up even more. I keep my RH% up until around week 4 of flower when the buds are forming then my day number comes down to 45 - 45%. Then I set the swamp cooler to maintain a minimum of 45% and the dehuey is off the timer and set to not let it go above 50% so there is a deadband between the two.

 

[Renfro]

Also make sure there is plenty of airflow around the dehuey so it doesn't end up in a microclimate of it's own so to speak.

 

[Jaybodankly]

I have a few issues with controllers. You may need a new outlet installed to not trip the breaker because of large power demands coinciding. You can have fans, heaters, dehuy, pumps, humidifier]er all hooked up to the controller. They are expensive and if it breaks your grow is dead.
The three main factors to control for: Temperature, Humidity, CO2 and Data (THC-D). Temperature can be controlled accurately with a Inkbird controller or AC on-board control. Humidity, all dehumidifiers have a control setting. CO2, Best to get a dedicated controller. Data logging to a cellphone with alerts are now reasonable.

 

[Renfro]

Nice thing about having it all in one controller (they rarely fail if you get a good one) is CO2 enrichment is disabled when ventilation is activated.

 

[Apalchen]

I bought a new dehuey seemed like good deal was a refurbished unit, BUT when it restarts the fan setting changes to low. Was too late to take it back but I guess will work until I get the money for a quest 155. But just make sure u check all that while still in the return period.

 

[Renfro]

TBH over 30 years I have use many controllers, GAP, CAP, Blueprint, Autopilot and Sentinel off the top of my head. I have never had one fail. Not even a sensor going bad.