Santa Fe RX

Installation
Location
The Santa Fe Rx is designed to be installed indoors. Ideal for living spaces and finished basements.

• Installation outdoors, in a crawlspace or near a pool or spa will void factory warranty.
• Do not use the dehumidifier as a bench or table.

Consider the following points when choosing a location for your Santa Fe Rx:
1. The Santa Fe Rx is most effective if it is centrally located in the space to be dehumidified.
2. It is designed to be placed with its back 3" or more from a wall (the air outlet is located at the lower portion of the back). This will reduce noise and the likelihood that discharge air will blow directly at someone.
3. The water removed by the Santa Fe Rx will be pumped through the 20' long hose coming from under its base. The hose (about the diameter of a TV coaxial cable) must be routed to a drain or outside. It can pump condensate 15' above the unit and can be extended (see section 2.3).
4. The top can serve as a light duty table (maximum load: 20 lbs.), but it must be removed periodically to check the air filter.

Electrical Requirements
The Santa Fe Rx plugs into a common grounded outlet on a 15 Amp circuit. It draws between 5 and 6 Amps under normal operating conditions.

Condensate Removal
The Santa Fe Rx is equipped with a condensate pump to remove the water that is condensed during dehumidification. This allows the water to be discharged to a distant location, or to be pumped up to 15’ above the Santa Fe Rx. The water is discharged through a 20' 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.

Operation

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).

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 (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. A humidity meter is supplied upon return of the survey warranty registration card: a meter is recommended to accurately monitor humidity levels. Additional meters are available for purchase from the factory.

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.

Maintenance

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. 52.1-1992.
DO NOT operate the unit without the filter 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.

Filter Options

An optional filter frame is available that attaches to the back of the machine and adds 6-1/2" to the units’ depth. It allows the choice of using either 95% efficient, HEPA grade, or activated carbon filters in addition to the standard filter. These filters are accessible by removing the 4 screws from the filter frame top cover. The MERV 14 95% efficient filters (as rated by ASHRAE 52-76 Dust Spot Test) capture about 95% of all particles greater than 1 micron. Actual filter size is 19.38" wide x 15.38" high x 3.75" deep. Two filters are stacked to form a 32" high filter bank. These filters can be tested for replacement using the optional filter test listed in Section 4.1B. The HEPA media filter captures 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger that pass through it. Actual filter size is 19.38" wide x 30.75" high x 3.75" deep. These filters can be tested for replacement using the optional filter test listed in Section 4.1B. Optional Carbon filter/Pleated filter combination: The carbon filter is actually a blend of activated carbon and potassium permanganate. This blend removes the vast majority of gaseous contaminants encountered in most filtering applications. The activated carbon removes the heavier volatile organics while the potassium permanganate removes the lower molecular weight contaminates. The life of this disposable filter depends upon both the hours used and the contamination level. The filter contains 8.7 pounds of active media (17.4 pounds with two filters). Another advantage of this blend versus an all carbon filter is that it changes color as it loads up with contaminates. It starts out black, then turns pink, then brown, and finally white. It is best changed when it passes the brown stage and begins to turn white, as it has lost most of its effectiveness at that point. Actual filter size of the carbon filter is 19.38" wide x 15.38" high x 2.88" deep. The .88" deep pleated filter is the same nominal size and is installed downstream of the carbon dust. The two filter combos are stacked to form a 32" high filter bank.

Optional Filter Test
The optional 95% efficiency and HEPA filters have long lives when prefiltered by the standard MERV 11 65% efficient pleated inlet filter; they can last many years in certain conditions. How long they last can, however, vary widely depending upon the following: unit run time, air contamination level and standard inlet filter cleanliness. Given the expense of the optional filter, it can be costly to change them prematurely. The following test helps determine when they should be changed. Air exiting the bottom rear of the unit enters the filter frame, then passes through the optional filter and into the room. If the filter is dirty, air pressure builds up before the filter. To check this pressure, remove the plastic plug from the filter frame top; youwill feel air coming out of the hole with the unit running. Place the ping pong ball that came with the filter frame on the hole and let go (any marked, regulation sized ping pong ball will work). If the ball does not move or only bounces slightly and does not spin continuously, the filter is clean enough for continued use. If the ball floats above the hole and starts to spin and perhaps wobble within 30 seconds, the filter needs to be changed.

Service

Servicing the Santa Fe Rx with its high pressure refrigerant system and high voltage circuitry presents a health hazard which could result in death, serious bodily injury, and/or property damage. Only qualified service people should service this unit.

Warranty
A warranty certificate has been enclosed with this unit. Read it before any repair is initiated. If a warranty repair is required, call the factory first at 1-800-533-7533 for warranty claim authorization and technical assistance.

Technical Description
The Santa Fe Rx uses a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner’s to remove heat and moisture from incoming air, and add heat to the air that is discharged (see figure 1). Hot, high pressure refrigerant gas is routed from the compressor to the condenser coil. The refrigerant is cooled and condensed by giving up its heat to the air that is about to be discharged from the unit.The refrigerant liquid then passes through a filter/drier and capillary tubing which cause the refrigerant pressure and temperature to drop. It next enters the evaporator coil where it absorbs heat from the incoming air and evaporates. The evaporator operates in a flooded condition, which means that all the evaporator tubes contain liquid refrigerant during normal operation. A flooded evaporator should maintain constant pressure and temperature across the entire coil, from inlet to outlet. The mixture of gas and liquid refrigerant enter the accumulator after leaving the evaporator coil. The accumulator prevents any liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor. The compressor evacuates the cool refrigerant gas from the accumulator and compresses it to a high pressure and temperature gas to repeat the process.

FOR HVAC INSTALLER ONLY
Servicing the Santa Fe Rx with its high pressure refrigerant system and high voltage circuitry presents a health hazard which could result in death, serious bodily injury, and/or property damage. Only qualified service people should service this unit.

Troubleshooting

No dehumidification. Neither blower nor compressor run with AUTO FAN and humidity control turned ON.
1. Unit unplugged or no power to outlet.
2. Humidity control set too high or defective (Sec. 3.1 & 5.7).
3. Loose connection in internal wiring (Fig. 2).
4. Safety float switch in remote reservoir has turned unit off (Sec. 2.5).

No dehumidification. Compressor does not run but blower runs with AUTO FAN and humidity control turned to ON.
1. Defective compressor run capacitor (Sec. 5.6).
2. Loose connection in compressor circuit (see Fig. 2).
3. Defective compressor overload (Sec. 5.6A).
4. Defective compressor (Sec. 5.6).
5. Defrost thermostat open (Sec. 5.8).
6. Defective relay (Sec. 5.10).
7. Pump Safety switch open (Sec. 5.9)

Blower runs with AUTO FAN, but compressor cycles on & off.
1. Low ambient temperature and/or humidity causing unit to cycle through defrost mode.
2. Defective compressor overload (Sec. 5.6A).
3. Defective compressor (Sec. 5.6).
4. Defrost thermostat defective (Sec. 5.8).
Blower does not run with fan switch in either position. Compressor runs briefly but cycles on & off.
1. Loose connection in blower circuit (see Fig. 2).
2. Obstruction prevents impeller rotation.
3. Defective blower (Sec. 5.5).
4. Blower switch defective.

Evaporator coil frosted continuously, low dehumidifying capacity.
1. Defrost thermostat loose or defective (Sec. 5.8).
2. Low refrigerant charge.
3. Dirty air filter or air flow restricted (Sec. 4.1B).
5.4 Refrigerant Charging
If the refrigerant charge is lost due to service or a leak, a new charge must be accurately weighed in. If any of the old charge is left in the system, it must be removed before weighing in the new charge. Follow EPA recovery regulations. Refer to the unit nameplate for the correct charge weight and refrigerant type.

 Blower Replacement
The centrifugal blower has a PSC motor and internal thermal overload protection. If defective, the complete assembly must be replaced.
1. Unplug the power cord.
2. Remove the unit top.
3. If optional HEPA, 95% efficient or carbon filters are attached to the unit back, the filter(s) and their frame must be removed.
4. Remove the back cover (4 screws).
5. Remove the cabinet (6 screws).
6. Disconnect the blower leads: black from the black wire at wirenut, and white from the run capacitor.
7. Remove the foam pieces at the blower outlet at the bottom back to access the blower screws.
8. Remove the 4 screws holding the blower outlet flange and remove the blower.
9. Reassembling with the new blower is the above procedure reversed.
5.6 Compressor/Capacitor Replacement

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD: Electrical power must be present to perform some tests; these test should be performed by a qualified service person. This compressor run capacitor is accessed by following steps 1 through 4 in section 5.5 on blower replacement; the compressor is accessed by following steps 1 through 5. This compressor is equipped with a two terminal external overload, run capacitor, but no start capacitor or relay (see Fig. 2). Perform the following tests if the blower runs but the compressor does not with the AUTO FAN and the humidity control ON.
1. Unplug the unit, follow steps 1 through 5 of section 5.5 to access the compressor. Remove the electrical connection cover on the compressor top.
2. Plug in the unit and turn the humidity control to ON. If the compressor tries to start but cycles on the over load, go to step 4. If the compressor remains silent, check for 110 volts from compressor terminal R to overload terminal 3 using an AC voltmeter. If voltage is resent, go to step 3. If there is no voltage, either the pump safety switch, defrost thermostat, low pressure control, or relay are open or there is a loose connection in the continuity; see the appropriate section if a defect is suspected.
3. Check continuity between overload terminals 1 and 3: if there is none, the overload may be tripped. Wait 10 minutes and try again. If there is still no continuity, it is defective and must be replaced.
4. Unplug the unit, then replace the run capacitor with one of the same microfarad rating and equal or greater voltage rating. If such a capacitor is unavailable, a hard start kit sized for this compressor may be used. If the compressor does not start and run correctly, the compressor is defective and must be replaced.

Replacing a Burned out Compressor
The refrigerant and oil mixture in a compressor is chemically very stable under normal operating conditions. However, when an electrical short occurs in the compressor motor, the resulting high temperature arc causes a portion of the refrigerant oil mixture to break down into carbonaceous sludge, a very corrosive acid and water. These contaminants must be carefully removed otherwise even small residues will attack replacement compressor motors and cause failures.ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD: Electrical power must be present to perform some tests; these test should be performed by a qualified service person. This compressor run capacitor is accessed by following steps 1 through 4 in section 5.5 on blower replacement; the compressor is accessed by following steps 1 through 5. This compressor is equipped with a two terminal external overload, run capacitor, but no start capacitor or relay (see Fig. 2). Perform the following tests if the blower runs but the compressor does not with the AUTO FAN and the humidity control ON.
1. Unplug the unit, follow steps 1 through 5 of section 5.5 to access the compressor. Remove the electrical connection cover on the compressor top.
2. Plug in the unit and turn the humidity control to ON. If the compressor tries to start but cycles on the over load, go to step 4. If the compressor remains silent, check for 110 volts from compressor terminal R to overload terminal 3 using an AC voltmeter. If voltage is resent, go to step 3. If there is no voltage, either the pump safety switch, defrost thermostat, low pressure control, or relay are open or there is a loose connection in the continuity; see the appropriate section if a defect is suspected.
3. Check continuity between overload terminals 1 and 3: if there is none, the overload may be tripped. Wait 10 minutes and try again. If there is still no continuity, it is defective and must be replaced.
4. Unplug the unit, then replace the run capacitor with one of the same microfarad rating and equal or greater voltage rating. If such a capacitor is unavailable, a hard start kit sized for this compressor may be used. If the compressor does not start and run correctly, the compressor is defective and must be replaced.

Replacing a Compressor-Nonburn Out

Dispose of the old refrigerant per EPA guidelines. Replace the compressor and liquid line filter/drier. Weigh in the refrigerant quantity listed on the nameplate.

Humidity Control
The humidity control is an adjustable switch that closes when the relative humidity of the air in which it is located rises to the dial set point. It opens when the RH drops 4 to 6% below the set point.

Defrost Thermostat
The defrost thermostat is attached to the refrigerant suction tube between the accumulator and compressor. It will automatically shut the compressor off if the low side refrigerant temperature drops due to excessive frost formation on the evaporator coil. The blower will continue to run, causing air to flow through the evaporator coil and melt the ice. When the ice has melted, the evaporator temperature will rise and the thermostat will restart the compressor.

Condensate Pump
Condensate is automatically pumped to a remote location when the water level in the pump’s reservoir rises to close the float switch. The pump also contains a safety float switch. If the pump fails, this switch opens the compressor control circuit and stops water production before the reservoir overflows. The compressor will stop, but the blower will not.

Relay
The relay provides power to the compressor via the black wire. Current passes through relay contacts between terminals 4 and 6. The contacts are closed when power is applied to relay terminals 0 and 1 by the dehumidistat, pump safety, defrost control and low pressure control are all closed. If there is no continuity between terminals 4 and 6 when power is applied to terminal 0 and 1 by the control circuit, the relay is defective and must be replaced. The relay is also defective if there is continuity between 4 and 6 when no power is applied to 0 and 1.

Low Pressure Control
If the low side refrigerant pressure drops to 35 PSIG, the low pressure control opens; this opens the blower circuit and the control circuit that controls the compressor. It is an automatically reset control; it will close if the pressure rises to 60 PSIG. It’s primary function is to prevent damage to the compressor if a leak develops in the refrigeration system.

See Manual for full instructions.