Dehumidifier

[John and Debbie]

Hi all, does anyone have a recommendation for a dehumidifier for the Oliver Elite 2?  We're in western Oregon and it's damp and about 40-50° for about five to six months out of the year.  Thanks.

John

[Snackchaser]

Stay away from the cheapies!  We live on the coast in a very wet redwood rainforest and have tried several Peltier electronic type portable dehumidifiers from Amazon that were absolute garbage.  We found that the Afloia Q3 Portable 20oz was the least worthless Peltier, but it's no longer available in Amazon.  I wouldn't recommend any of the Peltier's anyway.  They're rated in Ounces of water compared to compressor type dehumidifiers that are rated in Pints... it's a bit of a giveaway!

The Peltiers are cheaper, smaller, and lighter, and most compressors are too large and heavy for the Oliver.  But I've been eying the Ivation 14.7 pint compressor for under $200.  The Ivation is the smallest compressor I've seen at 7x7x18 inches, 2 lbs.  It has a drain hose so it doesn't have to be emptied all the time🙏  I'm thinking it will fit on the counter and drain into the sink.  It's even advertised for RVs!

Hope that helps!  Cheers!  Geoff.

[Nan]

I am going to look at that one too!  My dehumidifier bit the dust and I need to get another..I live near Savannah, Ga. and the dehumidifier is a must!

[Roger]

I recently bought the KNKA 1600 sq. foot dehumidifier from on Amazon and used it for the first time last week on a trip (I have been running it in my camper when it's parked at home). It is a compressor dehumidifier and did an excellent job.  We were in the Okefenokee Swamp and the temps were in the 50s and 60s with 80% to 90% humidity at times.  The unit did an excellent job pulling the moisture out of the air.  I ran it the whole time we were in the swamp and it maintained the indoor humidity in the 40s to 50s with no problem. 

It is small enough to pack on the floor of the closet.  It measures about 7 1/2" deep, by 10" wide and 14" tall.  I did cover the light in front and will probably cover the light on top on our next trip as it lights up the whole camper at night. It is very quiet.  

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Roger said:

It is a compressor dehumidifier and did an excellent job.

Roger, were you able to confirm this after purchase. The Amazon listing does not state "compressor" anywhere on the page. Thank you, JD

[rideandfly]

6 hours ago, Roger said:

I recently bought the KNKA 1600 sq. foot dehumidifier from on Amazon and used it for the first time last week on a trip (I have been running it in my camper when it's parked at home). It is a compressor dehumidifier and did an excellent job.  We were in the Okefenokee Swamp and the temps were in the 50s and 60s with 80% to 90% humidity at times.  The unit did an excellent job pulling the moisture out of the air.  I ran it the whole time we were in the swamp and it maintained the indoor humidity in the 40s to 50s with no problem. 

It is small enough to pack on the floor of the closet.  It measures about 7 1/2" deep, by 10" wide and 14" tall.  I did cover the light in front and will probably cover the light on top on our next trip as it lights up the whole camper at night. It is very quiet.  

We purchased the same compressor dehumidifier and it did a good job for us, too!

Tried this unit for 3 days in Ollie with outside humidity ranging from 50% in the afternoon to 90% before sunrise with outside temps ranging from low 40s to afternoon upper 60s. This unit removed about a quart of water daily. I dumped the tank daily, but it also has a drain hose that could be run into the kitchen sink or shower drain. Set the unit at 40% and it actually kept the inside humidity at 47% when the compressor shut off to 55% when the compressor turned back on. It has CSA certification.

 

 

 

Took a Joker out of a deck of cards to cover the light on the front of the unit, since it's bright at night.

Edited December 8 by rideandfly

[Roger]

50 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Roger, were you able to confirm this after purchase. The Amazon listing does not state "compressor" anywhere on the page. Thank you, JD

@jd1923 This is a compressor dehumidifier.  If you go through the pictures on Amazon, one of them shows this.

 

[jd1923]

Thank you so much @Roger and @rideandfly!

I just bought one Amazon used “Like New” for $79! (they have more available at this price.)

[rideandfly]

John,

I’m confident you know this, but wanted to let everyone know they boxed and shipped our unit on it’s side, so after unpacking let it sit upright for at least 24 hours before operation.

Edited December 8 by rideandfly

[John and Debbie]

On 12/8/2025 at 4:19 AM, rideandfly said:

John,

I’m confident you know this, but wanted to let everyone know they boxed and shipped our unit on it’s side, so after unpacking let it sit upright for at least 24 hours before operation.

 

On 12/8/2025 at 4:19 AM, rideandfly said:

John,

I’m confident you know this, but wanted to let everyone know they boxed and shipped our unit on it’s side, so after unpacking let it sit upright for at least 24 hours before operation.

I ordered the KNKA compressor model and it comes today.   What's the reason for letting it stand upright for 24 hours or more.  I will take your advice when it comes today.   I am just wondering about the reason.  Thanks.

John

[Roger]

47 minutes ago, John and Debbie said:

 

I ordered the KNKA compressor model and it comes today.   What's the reason for letting it stand upright for 24 hours or more.  I will take your advice when it comes today.   I am just wondering about the reason.  Thanks.

John

John,

Letting it stand for 24 hours allows the compressor oil and refrigerant to settle back where they belong so that you don't damage the dehumidifier.  

Roger

 

[John and Debbie]

On 12/9/2025 at 8:59 AM, Roger said:

John,

Letting it stand for 24 hours allows the compressor oil and refrigerant to settle back where they belong so that you don't damage the dehumidifier.  

Roger

 

Roger, I let it stand for 18 hours and turned it on then.  I figured that would be enough time.  It tripped the breaker in the trailer.  I brought it in and plugged it into two different outlets and it tripped those.  It's plugged into a 15 amp dedicated outlet that we had the electrician put into the house to handle the vacuum.  It looks like this NKNA 1600 Square dehumidifier won't work in the Oliver.   Any ideas?  The unit is working in the house as It's running and water is in the collector receptical.

[Roger]

1 hour ago, John and Debbie said:

Roger, I let it stand for 18 hours and turned it on then.  I figured that would be enough time.  It tripped the breaker in the trailer.  I brought it in and plugged it into two different outlets and it tripped those.  It's plugged into a 15 amp dedicated outlet that we had the electrician put into the house to handle the vacuum.  It looks like this NKNA 1600 Square dehumidifier won't work in the Oliver.   Any ideas?  The unit is working in the house as It's running and water is in the collector receptical.

John,

Mine worked fine out of the box in my Oliver with no issues and has never tripped the breaker.  I would suggest you return it and have Amazon send you a replacement - it sounds like there is something wrong with the unit itself. 

Roger

[John and Debbie]

1 hour ago, Roger said:

1John,

Mine worked fine out of the box in my Oliver with no issues and has never tripped the breaker.  I would suggest you return it andhave Amazon send you a replacement- it sounds like there is something wrong with the unit itself. 

Roger

Roger, it was a "mint condition" used item. So your dehumidifier is the same model? At this point I have requested to return it.   It was $79.  New was about $30 more.  Where do you place yours in your Oliver?  I was thinking it might work best next to the toilet as we don't shower there.  Kind of discouraging,  but maybe you're right to just get a new one and actually wait 24 hours or more.  I don't think that I damaged it by only waiting 18 hours.

John

[Roger]

1 hour ago, John and Debbie said:

Roger, it was a "mint condition" used item. So your dehumidifier is the same model? At this point I have requested to return it.   It was $79.  New was about $30 more.  Where do you place yours in your Oliver?  I was thinking it might work best next to the toilet as we don't shower there.  Kind of discouraging,  but maybe you're right to just get a new one and actually wait 24 hours or more.  I don't think that I damaged it by only waiting 18 hours.

John

John,

I have been keeping it on the counter next to the sink. 

Roger

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, John and Debbie said:

I don't think that I damaged it by only waiting 18 hours.

For certain, it’s nothing you did! 9 times out of 10, Amazon used is like new with damaged packaging.

1 of 10 times you get an item used and damaged by the previous Amazon customer! Just exchange it. I’ve purchased well over 50 Amazon used items through the years and 90% of the time they’re a great bargain. Like my Engage pickleball paddle, $220 new, $160 Like New from the ‘Engage’ store on Amazon. It came new but not in retail packaging, OMG, I can’t have that!

I ordered this same humidifier Amazon used Like New at $79 (vs $136, for a $57 or 42% off savings!) and it arrived today. It looks perfect, except a prior owner wrote something in pencil on the instruction booklet. I’ll let you know when I get a chance to  test it.

To test it, I’ll have to hang a couple wet towels in the Oliver to create some humidity! RH today in Prescott was 20%! 😎

We will use this tool rarely but should keep it on the closet floor for when traveling east!

 

Edited December 11 by jd1923
Deleted pic that was for another thread!

[John and Debbie]

2 hours ago, jd1923 said:

For certain, it’s nothing you did! 9 times out of 10, Amazon used is like new with damaged packaging.

1 of 10 times you get an item used and damaged by the previous Amazon customer! Just exchange it. I’ve purchased well over 50 Amazon used items through the years and 90% of the time they’re a great bargain. Like my Engage pickleball paddle, $220 new, $160 Like New from the ‘Engage’ store on Amazon. It came new but not in retail packaging, OMG, I can’t have that!

I ordered this same humidifier Amazon used Like New at $79 (vs $136, for a $57 or 42% off savings!) and it arrived today. It looks perfect, except a prior owner wrote something in pencil on the instruction booklet. I’ll let you know when I get a chance to  test it.

To test it, I’ll have to hang a couple wet towels in the Oliver to create some humidity! RH today in Prescott was 20%! 😎

We will use this tool rarely but should keep it on the closet floor for when traveling east!

 

I started the return process and have a shipping label.  Mine was the same $79 which was a good deal, but only if it works!  I like your thinking that most of the time the used items are like new and work.  Thanks for your comment.

John

[Geronimo John]

On 12/10/2025 at 12:50 PM, John and Debbie said:

Kind of discouraging,  but maybe you're right to just get a new one and actually wait 24 hours or more.  I don't think that I damaged it by only waiting 18 hours.

The 24 hours is sort of a standard.  But the temperatue of the unit when it was not upright is a significant factor.  The units typically sit in a warehouse.  It may have "tempered air" not for the stored stuff, but for the workers.  Then off into truck, train, and aircraft... all with potentially extremely low temp's.  The warmer unit flows oil and refergerant down to the bottom of the coils.  You get it, set upright and it may or may not come up to full room temperature before it is turned on.  The oil/refergerant is viscus.  The pump often does not have the power to move that incompressable fluid,  rotor locks, amps  surge, and blows the fuse.  

It would be wise to recommend 24 hours in a warm area to avoid this scenario.  Then store it upright at all times. 

GJ

[jd1923]

On 12/7/2025 at 11:51 AM, Roger said:

I recently bought the KNKA 1600 sq. foot dehumidifier from on Amazon and used it for the first time last week on a trip (I have been running it in my camper when it's parked at home). It is a compressor dehumidifier and did an excellent job.

Thanks again Roger for the heads up on this product! I received ours Amazon Like New a couple weeks ago and got a chance to test it yesterday (Like New is now only $76 and they dropped the new price down to $99). Our Like New model was NIB perfect, only the packaging was scared a bit. Still had labels and shipping tape on the sides of the unit.

Mine is more of a "lab test" since humidity is not a thing out here most of the year (RH 29%). I boiled water for 15-20 minutes and got our Oliver interior humidity up to 75%. I do not believe this is equal since in this amount of time moisture would not penetrate clothes and bedding, etc.

I home-test products so I can count on them later on the road. I set RH to 30%, the lowest setting with fan on high. It's not the quickest tool as it took 2 1/2 hours to reduce humidity from 75% to 40%. I emptied only a couple ounces of water out of the bin. On low fan it's just a whisper!

Roger and @rideandfly have real and positive experiences. In conversation with @mountainoliver, Ken reported he had his running the last month+ on the Gulf Shores, also with positive experience, "very good when it's too cold to run the A/C." I plan to store ours on the closet floor until we need it and would run it under the dinette as Ken has and where there is a convenient power outlet.

I tested power consumption. At first it used only 0.2A! but then as I was sitting next to it, I heard the compressor kick in! On the Victron app it used <6A. High/Low fan is negligible.  I measure amps based on 12VDC from our batteries (on inverter, rarely plugged in). If you think in terms of amperage on 120VAC, you divide these numbers by 10 for only 0.6A on 120VAC.

@John and Debbie experienced the circuit breaker popping which must have been from a dead short in a bad unit! I have found about 1 out of 10 Amazon used to be bad, though I always buy used when available since 9 of 10 times they're new at lower cost.

John wrote me, reporting the manufacturer suggested a dedicated circuit which is crazy (me and manufacturer recommendations often do not live in the same world)! Why dedicated for an appliance requiring less than 1 amp on a 15A 120VAC circuit. You could run 20 of these on a single 15A circuit! 🤣

I have what I believe is an accurate hygrometer that I use in my guitar cabinet (you must water your acoustic guitars when living in Arizona)! It appears you can count on the numbers on the KNKA display, very nice!

Geoff @Snackchaser wrote, he wanted a unit under $200. I believe this is the unit to get for under $100! 😂 Anybody know what KNKA stands for?

Edited 6 hours ago by jd1923