Product Update: February 2015

EvaDry Adds 12-volt Cord

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EvaDry 2200 and EvaDry 2200 cord

With the untimely passing of the Perfect Home EWHE4 dehumidifier after just 18 months (see PS Mailport, December 2014 online), the EvaDry 2200 remains our top pick for an onboard dehumidifier, and the EvaDry maker has recently introduced a 12-volt plug for the unit.

Still going strong after 2 years (see PS, June 2013), PSs EvaDry test unit is still removing water at rated capacity, the fan is quiet, the power supply runs only 20 degrees above ambient temperature, and the plugs remain tight. It has been thrown in lockers, knocked off countertops in rough weather, and frozen repeatedly.

With the units new 12-volt plug, which is compatible with both the EvaDry 2200 and the EvaDry 1100, there is no need for a converter, and it can plug directly into any cigarette lighter-style plug. However, we still see virtue in running the unit on 110 volts, allowing for control with a simple plug-in timer or photocell activated switch; this allows some measure of humidity control, reduces run time, and provides a defrost cycle, critical in northern climates. (We recommend operating the dehumidifier at night, allowing for thawing during daylight hours when temperatures are warmer. On those days when the temperature does not reach 32 degrees in the cabin, humidity is so low that ice accumulation stops at a safe level.) Additionally, many smart inverters have a low voltage cut-off, preventing dead batteries.

The 12-volt cord set is $13, and is available on the EvaDry website, www.eva-dry.com.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.