On Sat, 23 Jun 2012 07:13:01 -0400, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"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.

"Planning" you say? I shall have to try that someday.

I adjusted my water heater thermostat down by 7 degrees a few months ago
and started watching my natural gas consumption numbers.

Initially I saw a 0.6 therm daily year-over-year decrease, then a 0.4
therm daily YoY decrease, then a 0.1 therm daily YoY *increase* and last
month, the power company said I used as much gas as I did long *before* I
turned down the water heater thermostat.

I wonder where all that extra gas is going? :/

--Winston -- Hopes this isn't an elevating experience.