Subscribe To This Site
Meaco 500i
Swimming Pool Dehumidifier Review
The Meaco 500i Swimming Pool Dehumidifier is the second in a range of four Meaco swimming pool dehumidifiers and is very similar to the less powerful 300i model. For operators or owners of a larger pool this dehumidifier offers all the advantages of the 300i but has double the water removal capacity. Naturally this makes the unit larger and heavier than the 300i but the increase in size applies only to the width of the unit. The 500i retains the shallow depth and modest height dimensions of the smaller unit to facilitate wall-mounting.
As with all Meaco swimming pool dehumidifiers enquiries about the model best suited to the particular characteristics of a pool should be directed to the company. The details Meaco will require are the surface area of the water, the temperature of that water and of the air in the pool enclosure and information about whether a cover is used. In general terms if a cover is used and the ambient temperature of the air is 2°C higher than that of the water the Meaco 500i will be effective for a pool of up 86m2 (water surface area).
This dehumidifier will also be attractive to commercial and industrial operators who require a unit for use in an area of high relative humidity and value the particular advantages of this machine. Swimming pools present unusual challenges for dehumidifiers because of the extreme humidity conditions and the potentially damaging chemicals employed. The build quality of such machines is, therefore, higher than some other commercial units. Potential operators should note that the 500i is not suitable for applications where the ambient temperature falls below 15°C.
Features
The Meaco 500i Swimming Pool Dehumidifier is twice as powerful as the 300i and will extract 108 litres of moisture per day. This rate was measured at a temperature of 30°C and relative humidity of 80% and is a realistic basis for such measurement as swimming pools are environments in which heat and humidity measures are quite similar to the test conditions.
Other commercial locations are less likely to be so warm and in lower temperatures, and/or where relative humidity is lower, the water removal rate will be less than the specified figure.
As a purpose designed swimming pool dehumidifier the Meaco 500i was not intended for low temperature operation and will not be suitable for use in areas with a temperature below 15°C.
The condensate is disposed of by means of a gravity fed, continuous drainage system and will require a floor level drain, close to the unit, to be effective. This will not normally present any difficulty in a swimming pool but other prospective operators who require the condensate to be drained at any distance from the dehumidifier, or to an outlet on a higher level, will need to factor in the cost of a separate condensate pump to achieve this.
In addition to humidity control the Meaco 500i can also provide heating for the pool enclosure. As an optional extra a Low Pressure Hot Water (LPHW) heating system can be included which allows the dehumidifier to be connected with a boiler. Water from the boiler is piped through the dehumidifier and heats the air before it is returned to the pool enclosure. The 4kW output of the LPHW heating system is supplemented by the heating effect of the dehumidification process for a total output of 5.9kW. A 500i with this additional feature includes a price supplement.
The Meaco 500i is relatively light-weight and a 100% increase in power is achieved with a weight increase of only 50%, to 60Kg. The unit is also compact with a depth (25.5cm) and height (65.3cm) identical to the 300i. The cost of the extra power is an increase in width to 124.5cm, the least inconvenient of the three for a wall-mounted unit. Of course wall-mounting is not always convenient and the unit can be mounted on the floor for which a stand is available.
There are a number of reasons why operators may prefer a dehumidifier to be located outside the pool enclosure and to accommodate this preference the Meaco 500i can be supplied with a through-wall mounting kit, at an extra cost.
Using this arrangement the unit is mounted on the reverse side of one wall of the pool enclosure with ducts top and bottom to draw in and expel the air. All that is visible within the pool enclosure are two unobtrusive grills flush with the wall surface.
In our review of the 300i we noted with particular approval its low operating noise level of 44dB, commendable in a unit of its power. Even more remarkable is the fact that the Meaco 500i delivers twice the performance of the 300i but retains exactly the same noise level of just 44db. This feature will be particularly appreciated by pool users and should not detract from their enjoyment and relaxation, even when the pool is quiet.
Our conclusion is that this dehumidifier is a very attractive option for pool operators and owners who require a dehumidifier with more moisture removing power than the 300i.
PRODUCT DETAILS
| Brand | Meaco | Model | Meaco 500i Swimming Pool Dehumidifier | Application(s) | Swimming pools/commercial | Suitable for | Small to medium sized areas | Portable | No | Carrying handle | No | Wheels/casters | No | Weight (kg) | 60 | Dimensions, mm (WxDxH) | 1245 x 255 x 653 | Dehumidification process | Refrigerant | Water extraction (30°C 80%RH) | 108 litres per 24 hrs | Water container capacity (Ltr) | N/A | Container full indicator | N/A | Auto-power cut off when full | N/A | Continuous drainage option | Yes (to nearby drain) | Operating temperature range | 15°C to 35°C | Air Flow Volume | 740 M3/h | Anti-frost | No | Electronic controls | No | Humidistat | Yes | Variable fan speed settings | No | Noise level | 44 dB | Power input | 230v/1200 watts |
Advantages
Very quiet for a dehumidifier
Compact
Manageable weight
Wall or floor-mounted
Through-wall mounting option
Can be used to heat the pool enclosure
Disadvantages
No integral condensate pump
Search our Site
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question why not try our FAQs Page
Ask a Question
If you can't find the answer you need we will reply to your question here. Just type your question into the form on our
Ask a Question Page
Make a Comment
If you would like to comment on our site, to tell us we've done a good job or to suggest improvements, please click on
Visitor Comments