We have a small 115 volt Sears 'portable' type dehumidifier in
basement. Portable! Well; it has four casters on the bottom and
probably weighs about 50lbs?

Works fine. But occasionally has frozen up solid. Right now it is off
and have a fan in front of it circulating basement air about at 60
degrees to melt the ice.

Right now, as bought, there is a humidistat that switches the whole
thing on and off. There is also a float switch that also switches
everything off when the reservoir is almost full.

Thinking of changing wiring so that the circulation fan, but not the
compressor, runs continuously as long as the unit is plugged in to aid
defrosting.

Any comments or advice please.