Hi Julie- don't know if this is much help but maybe...
It seems the function of the device is adjusted to a rather narrow environmental window (room temp, humidity, etc.)
My unit will switch on normally, but not have any water in the tray, if it's below 65°F and lower than 55% humidity.
I have only gross mechanical adjustments on the machine (a knob and one of two selectable speeds for the fan.)
The 'electronic' versions have a control panel on top that allows you to dial in the limits for temp and humidity- but, again, within a rather narrow window.
The manual isn't much help (at least, for the basic unit I have.) On-line help sources are spotty- at best.
Growing mold- that's a bad thing, of course.
Our basement is about 1,500 sq. ft. - which is too large for this little 22 pint unit to handle. Luckily, no mold!
I did find some inexpensive units available (while looking for help on-line)- might suggest you pick up a second one.
FWIW- I run two fans in the basement to circulate the air, and regularly open windows and doors to let it 'breathe' a bit.
Good luck. Don't know if it's much help- but, at least, knowing you're not alone is solace in and of itself!
[I do find it curious that so many different versions of the same device are spread across so many sources; Sears, Wal-Mart, etc.. One company makes them all, puts different names on them.)
Paul., November 2009
