bsaunas WM-5 Traditional Heater Instruction Manual
- June 15, 2024
- bsaunas
Table of Contents
bsaunas WM-5 Traditional Heater
Product Information
Specifications
- Model : WM-5, WM-6, WM-7.5, WM-9, FM-12, FM-15
- Power : 5000W, 6000W, 7500W, 9000W, 12000W, 15000W
- Voltage : 240V (WM-5, WM-6, WM-7.5), 208V (WM-9, FM-12, FM-15)
- Phase : 1 (WM-5, WM-6, WM-7.5), 3 (WM-9, FM-12, FM-15)
- Clearances to Wood Surfaces (WM Heaters): Figure 1
- Clearances to Wood Surfaces (FM Heaters): Figure 2
Product Usage Instructions
Installation
Note: The following steps must be completed by a certified electrician.
-
Ensure no combustible materials are placed under the heater.
Examples include duckboard flooring, towels, and paper towels. -
Position the heater according to the installation instructions provided.
-
Connect the appropriate electrical wiring based on the voltage and phase of the heater.
-
Ensure proper clearance to wood surfaces as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
-
Install the wall control or thermostat sensor at a suitable location.
Operation
To operate the heater:
- Turn on the power supply to the sauna heater.
- Set the desired temperature using the wall control or thermostat sensor.
- Wait for the sauna heater to reach the set temperature.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the sauna heater is essential to ensure its optimal
performance and longevity. Follow these guidelines:
- Inspect the heater regularly for any signs of damage or wear.
- Clean the heater and surrounding area to remove any dust or debris.
- Check all electrical connections for tightness and security.
- Refer to the user manual for specific maintenance instructions.
FAQ
- Q: Can I place combustible materials under the heater?
- No, combustible materials such as duckboard flooring, towels, and paper towels are not permitted under the heater. Ensure no combustible materials are placed under the heater to prevent fire hazards.
- Q: What are the clearance requirements for wood surfaces?
- The clearance requirements for wood surfaces vary based on the model of the heater. Refer to Figure 1 for WM heaters and Figure 2 for FM heaters to determine the appropriate clearances.
- Q: How do I set the temperature?
- You can set the temperature using the wall control or thermostat sensor. Follow the instructions provided with the control device to adjust the desired temperature.
- Q: How often should I perform maintenance on the sauna heater?
- Regular maintenance is recommended to ensure optimal performance. Inspect the heater regularly for any signs of damage or wear, clean it and the surrounding area, and check all electrical connections. Refer to the user manual for specific maintenance instructions.
SAUNA HEATER INSTAL GUIDE
THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED BY A CERTIFIED ELECTRICIAN
The following wire sizes and circuit breaker specifications are provided as a
guide only. Your local electrical code may require different sizes and will
supersede this guide.
Note : no combustible materials are permitted under the heater. Examples: duckboard flooring, towels, paper towels, etc.
Sauna Heater Specifications
MODEL
|
WATTS
|
VOLTAGE
|
PHASE
|
AMPS
| CIRCUIT BREAKER| WIRE 90 ° C COPPER| DIGITAL
CONTROL
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
WM-4| 4000| 240| 1| 16.7| 30| 10| TKE
WM-5| 5000| 240| 1| 20.8| 30| 10| TKE
WM-6| 6000| 240| 1| 25.0| 40| 8| TKE
WM-7.5| 7500| 240| 1| 31.3| 40| 8| TKE1-3
WM-7.5| 7500| 208| 3| 20.9| 30| 10| TKE1-3
WM-9| 9000| 240| 1| 37.5| 50| 8| TKE1-3
WM-9| 9000| 208| 3| 25.0| 40| 8| TKE1-3
FM-12| 12000| 208| 3| 33.4| 50| 8| TKE2-3
FM-15| 15000| 208| 3| 41.7| 60| 6| TKE2-3
Figure 1. WM heaters clearances to wood surfaces
Figure 2. FM heaters clearance to wood surfaces
Sauna Heater Installation
Note : Remove the plastic protective coating on the outside of the heater after complete installation but before starting. Blackstone sauna heaters come fully assembled. Mounting hardware is in the heater carton.
Installation Steps:
-
2A. Screw the wall mounting brackets (Model WM) to the wall as shown in Figure 3.
-
2B. Lay the heater on the floor and remove the bottom plate. Open the appropriate knock-out and install the seal-tight connector. Connect the wiring as shown in the wiring guide. Replace the bottom plate.
-
2C. Hang the heater in place on the wall mounting brackets (Model WM) and secure the lower heater support bracket to the wall with the screws supplied. Fill the heater rock basket with the sauna rocks provided.
Note : the sauna heater should not be operated without the recommended quantity of rocks. ENSURE PROPER AIRFLOW AROUND THE ROCKS. -
2D. The thermostat temperature sensor should be mounted inside the sauna at the appropriate location shown above. If the sensor bulb is not positioned correctly, tripping off the high-limit switch inside the heater will occur.
-
2E. Remove the plastic protective cover from the heater. The guard rail shown in Figure 6 can now be installed.
-
2F. After the heater and control have been installed, the heater should be turned on high for one hour to “settle” in the heater and the rocks. During this time any protective coating remaining on the elements will burn off as well. This is normal. Do not enter the sauna room during this initial start-up.
Sauna Lights
Sauna lights should be approved for this use and in a seal-tight vapor-proof
housing. Sauna lights must be at least 12 inches distance horizontally from
the edge of the sauna heater. Switches for sauna lights must be located and
operated from outside the sauna room. Do not install lights over the sauna
heater. Optionally a separate dimmer switch for each light can be used to
control the intensity of each light in the sauna room. The electrical supply
for the lights is 120 volts and is separate from the heater’s electrical
supply.
Manual Safety Switch
All Blackstone sauna heaters have a thermal safety switch to prevent
overheating located in the front of the element box just below the front
shroud. If the sauna heater switches off due to some abnormal condition, let
the heat cool down and then reset the safety switch by pressing the safety
switch stem located in the small hole on the front face of the heater, down
near the bottom of the heater. If the “reset safety switch” trips frequently,
please contact either a qualified serviceman or contact Blackstone directly.
Shower Heads
Never install shower heads or water spray equipment above a sauna heater.
Always use a sauna bucket and ladle to put water on the sauna rocks.
Heater Guard Rail
A wooden guard rail made of Western Red Cedar should be installed around your
sauna heater. This guardrail is meant to prevent anyone from rushing up
against the side of the heater. Specified clearances between the heater and
the guard rail iare4″ minimum on all sides (except for one side of the model
CHSH heater). You should use either 1″ X 4″ or 2″ X 4″ material ensuring the
guard is securely anchored to the wall and cannot be inadvertently moved.
Electrical Instructions
For digital control for models WM 4kw, 5kw, 6kw, 7.5kw, 9kw, FM 12kw, 15kw heaters, 208 volt – three phases We have supplied an electronic digital control for your sauna heater. This electronic control is precise and offers more features than any other sauna control currently on the market. The wall control is a Class II 24-volt circuit and should not require a GFI breaker. Be sure to check with your local inspection authority.
Please note the following:
- It is unlawful to install this unit without obtaining a permit from the local electrical inspection authority.
- Electrical wiring and hook-up should only be done by a certified electrician. An electrical connection by a non- certified person voids the heater warranty.
You will require a 2-gang electrical box to house the digital wall-mount control. This box should be mounted on the outside wall of the sauna. All sauna controls and room light switches must be operated from outside the sauna.
This control consists of these components: 1) a “relay control box” containing a 24-volt Class II transformer, relays, and a magnetic contactor that is prewired; 2) a digital “wall-mount control panel” that mounts to a 2-gang electrical box (owner supplied) by which you set your time and temperature, and 3) a package containing wire, temperature sensor, electrical connectors, tie strap, rubber grommet, 4 faceplate screws required for installation.
Please refer to the enclosed wiring schematic that clearly shows the path of the wiring.
RELAY CONTROL BOX
The “relay control box” holding the 224-voltClass Il transformer, relays, and magnetic contactor are aissupplied in a metal box. This relay control box can be surface-mounted or flush wall-mounted. This box needs to be mounted in a location that you can access should servicing be required. Suggestion; if your home has a suspended ceiling you can mount the relay control box on the top plate (2×4) of the wall. This way you can simply lift a ceiling panel and gain access to the relay control box in the future. Another suggestion is to mount the relay control box in the stud space in the sauna wall and provide access through a panel on the outside wall that can be opened for possible servicing in the future.
Note that 12 feet of 18/4 wire is supplied with this control for connecting the relay control box to the wall control panel so be sure to keep within this distance. Install the rubber grommet in the 3/8″ hole on the side of the metal relay control box. Then be sure to run the 18/4 wire through the rubber grommet in the side of the box. After connecting the 18/4 wire to the appropriate connections, secure the wire by using the enclosed tie strap, and running the strap through the two loops on the inside of the box. Pull the strap tight so the wire connections are not subject to tension if pulled from outside the box.
If more than 12 feet is needed for your installation, you can order additional wire from Blackstone or purchase 18/4 wire locally. Do not splice over oontothe 12-foot length of 18/4 wire. Be sure to connect colored wires consistently between the relay control box and the wall control panel as per the iring diagram. In addition, the installer will need to provide a 14/2 high-limit control wire from the sauna heater to the relay control box. Connect to the two wires provided as per the wiring diagram.
WALL CONTROL PANEL
The “wall control panel” has been designed for the simple operation of using
gentle finger pressure on the square switches. The control panel must not be
installed inside the sauna. -“I/O” turns the unit on or off
- “F/C” switches between Fahrenheit and Celcius temperature readouts up to an allowed maximum temperature of 194 F (90 C) as permitted by the national code.
- time and temperature are easily adjusted by pressing the appropriate button for 3 seconds. Time can be set up the maximum allowed, 60 minutes.
- touching any button will display the current status.
Cleaning :
Use a damp cloth. Do not use “Windex” or ammonia-based cleaners. A mild soap
should be sufficient.
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
- The temperature sensor is attached with the supplied connectors to the length (12 feet) of the 18/2 wire. If you require a longer distance between the sensor and the wall control panel buy a new continuous length of 18/2 wire and attach the sensor to it.
- Do NOT splice onto the 12-foot length of wire. Be sure to run the 18/2 inside the insulated stud space in the sauna wall. * Be sure to leave a little slack in the 18/2 wire in the stud wall.
- Strip about 6″ from the outer casing of the 18/2 pair, leaving the protective casing on the individual leads. This will make it easier to attach the 18/2 wires to the sensor leads and give more flexibility when pushing any excess wire back into the wall.
- The sensor wire should come out of the wall into the sauna room through a 5/8″ diameter hole so the sensor is positioned over the heater according to the heater instructions (see figure 4).
- Do not hide or bury the sensor behind a cover other than the one supplied with this control. Incorrect installation of the sensor will negatively impact the heater operation, cause nuisance high limit tripping (safety device in the heater), and compromise personal and fire safety.
SENSOR COVER
Using the supplied #8 wood screw, fasten the sensor to the sauna wall over the sauna heater in the prescribed position 2-1/2″ below the ceiling. Be sure to remove the protective plastic film from the stainless steel sensor cover (Figure 7). Next. fasten the sensor cover to the wall using the supplied 4 – $6 wood screws, covering the sensor and taking care not to nick or cut the wires leading to the sensor. The sensor cover is designed to allow for adequate airflow. It adds a nice finished look to the sensor and also protects the sensor from tampering.
NOTE ON INSTALLATION IN A PUBLIC SAUNA
Some facilities have experienced vandalism of the control sensor. The
Blackstone sensor cover is designed to give maximum security against
vandalism. If the sensor needs to be replaced, it may be necessary to “fish”
the 18/2 wire back through the hole. This is why we suggest leaving at least 6
inches of slack of lead wire on the 18/2 cable. Be sure when mounting the 18/2
wire in the sauna wall that the cable will not fall down and away from the
hole and that there is enough slack to pull the leads through.
In the event the sensor is vandalized the safety feature of the control will disable the heater from operating.
CAUTION : In a public sauna the sensor should be visually inspected every day to ensure there are no obstructions and that air flows freely around the sensor.
WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
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