"Winston" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:47:29 -0400, Jim Wilkins wrote:
...

Alternatively, I envision a little plastic dingus shaped like a
pitcher plant flower that would catch the condensate before it hits
the
pan. It'd overflow into the pan if it was not pumped dry in time.
One could put it on the arm of a microswitch to signal when it was
time to start and stop the necessary pump.

The thermoelectric dehumidifier from Home Depot uses a float and a
microswitch to shut off the cooler and light a LED when it's full.
Another microswitch keeps it off when the container is out. It's an
elegantly simple and effective design.

It has collected 220 mL of water in the last 24 hours, at 80%
humidity. I added the volume scale. If I can find a non-destructive
way to do it I'll add a temperature sensor to the cold side to see if
it can serve as a dew point indicator.

These thermocouple panel jacks are simple to install and replace
dangling, damage-prone pigtails:
http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=MPJ&Nav=temg11

I run a little 100W dorm room sized unit that needs occasional
defrosting.

Yup. When I use mine, it is difficult to resist the urge to smack
the little ice sheets off the bottom and sides of the evaporator.
--Winston

I've pushed energy savings to the edge of inconvenience, though some
of it becomes easier with habit, such as planning meals and shopping
trips a few days in advance.

jsw