HARVIA L20 Electric Sauna Heater Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- HARVIA
Table of Contents
HARVIA L20 Electric Sauna Heater
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Piling of the Sauna Stones
The piling of the sauna stones has a great effect on the functioning of the
heater (figure 1).
Important information on sauna stones:
- The stones should be 5–10 cm in diameter.
- Use solely angular split-face sauna stones that are intended for use in a heater. Peridotite, olivine-dolerite and olivine are suitable stone types.
- Neither light, porous ceramic “stones“ nor soft soapstones should be used in the heater. They do not absorb enough heat when warmed up. This can result in damage in heating elements.
- Wash off dust from the stones before piling them into the heater.
Please note when placing the stones:
- Do not drop stones into the heater.
- Do not wedge stones between the heating elements.
- Place the stones sparsely to ensure that air can circulate between them.
- Pile the stones so that they support each other instead of lying their weight on the heating elements.
- Do not form a high pile of stones on top of the heater.
- No such objects or devices should be placed inside the heater stone space or near the heater that could change the amount or direction of the air flowing through the heater.
Maintenance
Due to large variation in temperature, the sauna stones disintegrate in use.
Rearrange the stones at least once a year or even more often if the sauna is
in frequent use. At the same time, remove any pieces of stones from the bottom
of the heater and replace any disintegrated stones with new ones. By doing
this, the heating capability of the heater stays optimal and the risk of
overheating is avoided.
Heating of the Sauna
When operating the heater for the first time, both the heater and the stones
emit smell. To remove the smell, the sauna room needs to be efficiently
ventilated.
If the heater output is suitable for the sauna room, it will take about an
hour for a properly insulated sauna to reach the required bathing temperature
( 2.3.). The sauna stones normally reach the bathing temperature at the same
time as the sauna room. A suitable temperature for the sauna room is about
65–80 °C.
Control Unit of Heater
The L model heaters require a separate control unit C260 which consists of a
control unit C260VKK, a power unit C260K and a sensor.
See the instructions for use of the selected control unit model.
Before switching the heater on always check that there isn’t anything on top
of the heater or inside the given safety distance. 1.6.
Throwing Water on Heated Stones
The air in the sauna room becomes dry when warmed up. Therefore, it is
necessary to throw water on the heated stones to reach a suitable level of
humidity in the sauna. The effect of heat and steam on people varies – by
experimenting, you can find the levels of temperature and humidity that suit
you best.
Never throw water on the stones when there are people near the heater, because
hot steam may burn their skin. The maximum volume of the ladle is 0.2 litres.
The water to be thrown on the heated stones should meet the requirements of
clean household water (table 1). Only special aromas designed for sauna water
may be used. Follow the instructions given on the package.
Water properties Wassereigenschaft| Effect Wirkung|
Recommendation Empfehlung
---|---|---
Humus concentration Humusgehalt| Colour, taste, precipitates
Farbe, Geschmack, Ablagerungen
| <12 mg/l
Iron concentration Eisengehalt| Colour, odour, taste, precipitates
Farbe, Geruch, Geschmack, Ablagerungen
| <0,2 mg/l
Manganese (Mn) concentration Mangangehalt (Mn)| Colour, odour, taste,
precipitates
Farbe, Geruch, Geschmack, Ablagerungen
| <0,10 mg/l
Hardness: most important substances are magnesium (Mg) and lime, i.e. calcium
(Ca) Wasserhärte: Die wichtigsten Stoffe sind Magnesium (Mg) und Kalk, d.h.
Kalzium (Ca)| Precipitates Ablagerungen| Mg: <100 mg/l
Ca: <100 mg/l
Chloride-containing water Chloridhaltiges Wasser| Corrosion Korrosion| Cl:
<100 mg/l
Chlorinated water Gechlortes Wasser| Health risk Gesundheitsschädlich|
Forbidden to use
Darf nicht verwendet werden
Seawater Salzwasser| Rapid corrosion Rasche Korrosion| Forbidden to use
Darf nicht verwendet werden
Arsenic and radon concentration Arsen- und Radonkonzentration| Health risk Gesundheitsschädlich| Forbidden to use
Darf nicht verwendet werden
Instructions for Bathing
- Begin by washing yourself.
- Stay in the sauna for as long as you feel com-fortable.
- Forget all your troubles and relax.
- According to established sauna conventions, you must not disturb other bathers by speaking in a loud voice.
- Do not force other bathers from the sauna by throwing excessive amounts of water on the stones.
- Cool your skin down as necessary. If you are in good health, you can have a swim if a swim-ming place or pool is available.
- Wash yourself after bathing.
- Rest for a while and let your pulse go back to normal. Have a drink of fresh water or a soft drink to bring your fluid balance back to normal.
Warnings
- Staying in the hot sauna for long periods of time makes the body temperature rise, which may be dangerous.
- Keep away from the heater when it is hot. The stones and outer surface of the heater may burn your skin.
- Keep children away from the heater.
- Do not let young, handicapped or ill people bathe in the sauna on their own.
- Consult your doctor about any health-related limitations to bathing.
- Consult your child welfare clinic about taking little babies to the sauna.
- Be very careful when moving in the sauna, as the platform and floors may be slippery.
- Never go to a hot sauna if you have taken alco-hol, strong medicines or narcotics.
- Never sleep in a hot sauna.
- Sea air and a humid climate may corrode the metal surfaces of the heater.
- Do not hang clothes to dry in the sauna, as this may cause a risk of fire. Excessive moisture content may also cause damage to the electrical equipment.
Symbols descriptions
Read operators manual.
Do not cover.
Troubleshooting
All service operations must be done by profes-sional maintenance personnel.
The heater does not heat.
- Check that the fuses to the heater are in good condition.
- Check that the connection cable is connected ( 3.4.).
- Check that the control panel shows a higher figure than the temperature of the sauna.
- Check that the overheat protector has not gone off.
The sauna room heats slowly. The water thrown on the sauna stones cools down the stones quickly.
- Check that the fuses to the heater are in good condition.
- Check that all heating elements glow when the heater is on.
- Turn the temperature to a higher setting.
- Check that the heater output is sufficient (
- Check the sauna stones (1.1.). Too tightly piled stones, the settling of stones with time or wrong stone type can hinder the air flow through the heater, which results in reduced heating efficiency.
- Check that the sauna room ventilation has been arranged correctly (
The sauna room heats quickly, but the temperature of the stones remain insufficient. Water thrown on the stones runs through.
- Check that the heater output is not too high
- Check that the sauna room ventilation has been arranged correctly.
Panel or other material near the heater blackens quickly.
- Check that the requirements for safety distances are fulfilled (
- Check the sauna stones (1.1.). Too tightly piled stones, the settling of stones with time or wrong stone type can hinder the air flow through the heater, which may result in overheating of surrounding materials.
- Also see section 2.1.1.
The heater emits smell.
The hot heater may emphasize odours mixed in the air that are not, however,
caused by the sauna or the heater. Examples: paint, glue, oil, seasoning.
SAUNA ROOM
Sauna Room Structure
- A. Insulation wool, thickness 50–100 mm. The sauna room must be insulated carefully so that the heater output can be kept moderately low.
- B. Moisture protection, e.g. aluminium paper. Place the glossy side of the paper towards the sauna. Tape the seams with aluminium tape.
- C. Vent gap of about 10 mm between the mois-ture protection and panel (recommendation).
- D. Low mass 12–16 mm thick panel board. Before starting the panelling, check the electric wiring and the reinforcements in the walls required by the heater and benches.
- E. Vent gap of about 3 mm between the wall and ceiling panel.
- F. The height of the sauna is usually 2100–2300 mm. The minimum height depends on the heater (see table 2). The space between the upper bench and ceiling should not exceed 1200 mm.
- G. Use floor coverings made of ceramic materials and dark joint grouts. Particles disintegrating from the sauna stones and impurities in the sauna water may stain and/or damage sensitive floor coverings.
NOTE! Check from the fire authorities which parts of the firewall can be insulated. Flues which are in use must not be insulated. Light protective covers which are installed directly to the wall or ceiling may be a fire risk.
Blackening of the Sauna Walls
It is perfectly normal for the wooden surfaces of the sauna room to blacken in
time. The blackening may be accelerated by
- sunlight
- the heat from the heater
- protective agents on the walls (protective agents have a poor heat resistance level)
- fine particles disintegrating from the sauna stones which rise with the air flow.
Sauna Room Ventilation
The air in the sauna room should change six times per hour. Figure 3
illustrates different sauna room ventilation options.
- A. Supply air vent location. If mechanical exhaust ventilation is used, place the supply air vent above the heater. If gravity exhaust ventilation is used, place the supply air vent below or next to the heater. The diameter of the supply air pipe must be 50–100 mm. Do not place the supply air vent so that the air flow cools the temperature sensor ( 3.4.1.)!
- B. Exhaust air vent. Place the exhaust air vent near the floor, as far away from the heater as possible. The diameter of the exhaust air pipe should be twice the diameter of the supply air pipe.
- C. Optional vent for drying (closed during heating and bathing). The sauna can also be dried by leaving the door open after bathing.
- D. If the exhaust air vent is in the washroom, the gap underneath the sauna door must be at least 100 mm. Mechanical exhaust ventilation is mandatory.
Heater Output
When the walls and ceiling are covered with panels and insulation behind the
panels is adequate, the heat-er output is defined according to the volume of
the sauna. Non-insulated walls (brick, glass block, glass, concrete, tile,
etc.) increase the need for heater out-put. Add 1,2 m³ to the volume of the
sauna for each non-insulated wall square meter. For example, a 10 m³ sauna
room with a glass door equals the output re-quirement of about a 12 m³ sauna
room. If the sauna room has log walls, multiply the sauna’s volume by 1,5.
Choose the correct heater output from table 2.
Sauna Room Hygiene
Bench towels should be used during bathing to pre-vent sweat from getting onto
the benches.
The benches, walls and floor of the sauna should be washed thoroughly at least
every six months. Use a scrubbing brush and sauna detergent.
Wipe dust and dirt from the heater with a damp cloth. Remove lime stains from
the heater using a 10% citric acid solution and rinse.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION
Prior to Installation
Prior to installing the heater, study the instructions for installation, as
well as checking the following points:
- Is the output and type of the heater suitable for the sauna room?
- The cubic volumes given in table 2 should be fol-lowed. See item 2.3.
- Are there a sufficient number of high quality sauna stones?
- Is the supply voltage suitable for the heater?
- The location of the heater fulfils the minimum requirements concerning safety distances given in fig. 4 and table 2.
It is absolutely necessary to ensure that the instal-lation is carried out according to these values. Ne-glecting them can cause a risk of fire.
- Only one electrical heater may be installed in the sauna room.
- The heater should be installed so that the warning texts can also be read without diffi-culty after the installation.
- L heaters have not been approved to be in-stalled in a recess in the wall or floor.
Fixing the heater on the floor
The heater is fixed to the floor at its two legs, at the legs’ fixing points.
Before fixing the heater, the minimum safety dis-tances to combustible
materials must be taken into consideration. See Table 2 and Figure 4.
Safety Railing
If a safety railing is built around the heater, the minimum distances given in
figure 4 must be ob-served.
Type Typ| Power Leistung| Group power/ Gruppe Leistung| Saunaroom Saunakabine|
Cables 400 V 3N~ Kabel| Fuses Sicherung
---|---|---|---|---|---
Cubic. vol. Rauminhalt
|
Height/ Höhe
|
To unit/ Zum Steuergerät
|
To heater/ Zum Saunaöfen
| Power supply cable to heater/ Anschluss- kabel zum Ofen|
To sensor/ Zum Fühler
|
Front fuse/ Vor- sicherung
|
Group fuse/ Gruppen- sicherung
Width Breite 500 mm Depth Tiefe 900 mm Height Höhe 730 mm Weight Gewicht 60 kg Stones Steine 100 kg|
kW
|
kW
| 2.3.|
min. mm
| ML/MK/MMJ
mm2
|
mm2
| H07RN-F
mm2
| SSJ
mm2
|
A
|
A
min. m3
|
max m3
L20| 20| 10,0| 18| 30| 2100| 5 x 10| 5 x 2,5| 5 x 2,5| 4 x 0,25| 3 x 35| 3 x
16
L26| 26| 13,0| 30| 46| 2200| 5 x 16| 5 x 6| 5 x 2,5| 4 x 0,25| 3 x 50| 3 x 25
L30| 30| 15,0| 40| 56| 2200| 5 x 16| 5 x 6| 5 x 2,5| 4 x 0,25| 3 x 50| 3 x 25
L33| 33| 16,5| 46| 66| 2200| 5 x 16| 5 x 6| 5 x 2,5| 4 x 0,25| 3 x 50| 3 x 25
Electrical Connections
The heater may only be connected to the electrical network in accordance with
the cur-rent regulations by an authorised, professional elec-trician.
- The heater is semi-stationarily connected to the junction box on the sauna wall. The junction box must be splash-proof, and its maximum height from the floor must not exceed 500 mm.
- The connection cable must be of rubber cable type H07RN-F or its equivalent.NOTE! Due to thermal embrittlement, the use of PVC-insu-lated wire as the connection cableof the heater is forbidden.
- If the connection and installation cables are higher than 1000 mm from the floor in the sau-na or inside the sauna room walls, they must be able to endure a minimum temperature of 170 °C when loaded (for example, SSJ). Elec-trical equipment installed higher than 1000 mm from the sauna floor must be approved for use in a temperature of 125 °C (marking T125).
- The wiring diagrams are included in the control unit’s installation instruction.
- Further instructions concerning exceptional installations can be obtained from local electri-cal authorities.
Installation of Control
- Unit and Sensor Detailed instructions for the installation of both the unit and the sensor are delivered with the control unit.
- The sensor must be installed exactly in the specified place. Otherwise the heater may not function properly.
- The supply air vent of the sauna room must not be located near the temperature sensor.
- The air flow near an air vent cools down the sensor, which gives inaccurate temperature readings to the control unit. As a result, the heater might overheat. The air vent’s minimum distance from the sensor:
- omnidirectional air vent: 1000 mm
- air vent directed away from the sensor: 500 mm The sensor must be installed to the place defined in these instructions. If the minimum distance is not fulfilled, ventilation must be changed.
Electric Heater Insulation Resistance
When performing the final inspection of the electrical installations, a
“leakage” may be detected when measuring the heater’s insulation resistance.
The reason for this is that the insulating material of the heating elements
has absorbed moisture from the air (storage/transport). After operating the
heater for a few times, the moisture will be removed from the heating
elements.
Do not connect the power feed for the heater through the RCD (residual current device)!
SPARE PARTS
Model Modell| Heating element/Part no.
Heizelement/Teil nr.
---|---
| 1750 W/240 V ZSK-732| 2000 W/240 V ZSL-313| 2500 W/230 V ZSL-314| 2670
W/240 V ZSL-316| 3000 W/240 V ZSL-318
L20| 1–12| | | |
L26| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11| 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12| |
L30| | | 1–12| (1–12)|
L33| | | | | 1–12
We recommend to use only the manufacturer’s spare parts.