SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The water is discharged through a 20’ long white hose coming from the unit bottom. The hose is about the diameter of a TV coaxial cable and can be routed in much the same way. If a drain is not convenient, a small hole can be drilled through the floor or wall to access a drain or outside. The hose can be extended if needed; it should, however, be extended with a hose of larger inner diameter (1/4” I.D. or greater) to avoid overloading the pump. Larger diameter hose is available from the factory or may be purchased from many hardware stores. If the hose can not be routed to a drain or outside, a reservoir container with an overflow switch can be used.
If the hose is routed outside, it must exit the building with a downward slant. This will allow the water in the hose to drain from it when the pump shuts off, preventing it from freezing.
Pump failure will cause the unit to stop dehumidifying via a safety switch.
2.4 Optional Reservoir Container
If the condensate discharge hose cannot be routed to a drain or outside, it can empty into a conveniently located container. This container (supplied by the customer) can be any size greater than 1/2 gallon. It can be emptied manually or by a pump (supplied by the customer).
CAUTION: It is strongly recommended that a safety overflow switch be used to prevent the container from overflowing and causing potentially costly water damage.
2.5 Safety Overflow Switch
A Safety Overflow Switch is available from the factory (see parts list). It consists of a float switch on a weighted cord with a male- female piggyback plug. The cord is secured to the container with the float and weight inside; the weight is separated from the float and container wall.
3 Operation
3.1 Top Removal
The top of the unit must be removed to access the humidity control knob, blower switch, and standard air filter. The standard metal top is removed by pulling it horizontally toward the front about 3/4”, then lifting it upward (the unit front is opposite from the side that the air comes out).
3.2 Humidity Control Adjustment
The humidity control knob is located under the removable top (top must be lifted off to access). Turning the knob clockwise lowers humidity. Turning it counter clockwise to the stop shuts it off.
The dehumidifier will run continuously until the relative humidity (RH) is reduced to the humidity control setting. Setting the humidity control to lower RH levels will NOT increase the unit’s dehumidification rate, it will simply run longer to reduce the area’s RH to the setting.
The Santa Fe Rx unit (and refrigerant based dehumidifiers in general) will reduce a warm space’s RH to a lower level than that of a cool space. For example, the Santa Fe Rx may reduce an 80°F space to 30% RH. However, if the same space is 65°F, it may only reduce to a 40% RH. It is therefore pointless to set the humidity control to excessively low levels in cool rooms. Doing so will result in long periods of ineffective dehumidifier run time and will consume electricity needlessly.
A quality humidity meter is supplied upon return of the warranty registration card; it is recommended to accurately monitor humidity levels. Additional meters are available for purchase from the factory.
3.3 Blower Switch
Lifting off the top accesses the blower switch. It is located near the humidity control dial.
Turning the blower switch to FAN ON will cause the blower to run continuously, whether the unit is dehumidifying or not. This function is desirable if the unit is used for air filtering.
4. Maintenance
4.1 Air Filter
The Santa Fe Rx is equipped with a standard MERV 11 65% Efficient disposable pleated fabric air filter. Optional 95% efficiency, 99.97% efficiency HEPA grade and activated carbon filters are available (see Section 4.1A).
The standard filter is located beneath the removable top. The filter is removed by lifting the front edge up first, then the back. It should be checked every 6 months. Operating the unit with a dirty filter will reduce dehumidifier capacity and efficiency.If dirty, the pleated fabric filter can generally be vacuumed cleaned several times before needing replacement. Replacement filters can be ordered from the factory or purchased locally if available. Its nominal size is 16” x 20” x 2” thick. Its efficiency is 65% per ASHRAE std.
DO NOT operate the unit without the filters or with a less effective filter. The heat exchange coils inside the unit could become clogged which would reduce performance and require disassembly to clean.
3 | Santa Fe Rx Installer’s & Owner’s Manual |
