This is the second dehumidifier that won't turn on for me. The first one was a busted tactile switch. I am prettier sure of that because I opened up the dehumidifier to access the circuit board. I was able to short circuit across the switch and the dehumidifier will turn on. First time round, as a spoiled developed-world brat, I just bought another dehumidifier, a Proluxury pde001060 dehumidifier.
This time I also opened up the dehumidifier. Long and behold, another busted tactile switch. I short circuit across the switch pins, and the device turn on.
Took out the circuit board of the dehumidifier.
It actually locked burnt out!
"Not again!?", as my daughter will put it. And as an engineer, this is totally not acceptable, so I go about my journey to fix it. Time for some Googling.
First off, Google Lens. Yup, found images of the switch, but none of the linked sites tell me the model or where to buy it.
Good thing my google-fu is up to snuff. Measure the size of the switch, let's try "6mm tactile switch".
Is that 5 or 6mm? as I squint to try and red the tape measurer. Good thing digital zoom on phone camera are awesome these days.
Mouser did some excellent SEO, and they are one of the first site to show up. 4 pages worth of 6mm switches. After looking through a few switches, I narrowed it down to the FSM12JH model and it is only HK$1.28! Great! Add to cart, checkout.
Wait a minute, HK$125 for shipping!?
Buy and shipping from Taobao to Hong Kong is so affordable!
Ordered on Sunday 12/12, goods arrived on Friday 12/15. I ordered way more than just the switches, from shops across China, so the shipping took a little longer than if I just ordered the switches. This is expected.
Hohoho! I went a little nuts with the 12/12 discounts.
Busted out by soldering and de-soldering skills.
Fixed!
It will be a lot easier to just by a new dehumidifier, but what a waste for just a busted switch. I am glad I gave it a try and managed to fix it.
