Little GIANT VCMX-20 Condensate Pump User Manual

Little GIANT VCMX-20 Condensate Pump

Product Information

Specifications:

• Model: VCMX-20
• Manufacturer: Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
• Website: www.LittleGiantPump.com
• Email: CustomerService-WTS@fele.com

Description:

The Little Giant VCMX-20 is a high-quality pump designed to automatically remove condensation from air conditioners and high-efficiency gas furnaces. It features a float/switch mechanism that activates the pump when approximately 1.6 inches of water collects in its tank. The pump turns off when the tank drains to approximately 1.2 inches. It also has a safety overflow switch that activates when the water in the tank rises to approximately 2.2 inches, which can turn off the thermostat or activate an alarm depending on the wiring configuration.

Safety Guidelines:

• Do not install the pump where it can be splashed or sprayed.
• Do not use the pump inside air plenums.

Product Usage Instructions

Installation:

1. Carefully unpack the pump.
2. Using the enclosed mounting bracket, mount the pump securely in a suitable location.
3. Insert the check valve into the pump discharge hole and twist it by hand 1/4 turn.
4. Attach the anti-sweat sleeve to the discharge line to prevent condensation.

Electrical Connections:

WARNING: All wiring must be performed by a qualified service technician. Check local electrical and building codes before installation.

1. Shut off electrical power at the fuse box before making any connections. Ensure compliance with local codes.
2. Connect the power cord to the line voltage specified on the motor and nameplate. If the power cord does not have a plug, follow the wiring instructions: green (or green/yellow) is ground, black (or brown) is line, and white (or blue) is neutral.
3. If using a fused plug on 230V units, a 1.0 amp fuse is recommended.

Service Instructions:

1. To access the pump for servicing, release the latch on the tank walls and raise the motor cover.
2. Ensure that the floats move freely and clean them if necessary.
3. Clean the tank with warm water and mild soap.
4. Check the inlet and discharge lines for any obstructions or kinks and clean as necessary to ensure proper flow.
5. Close the motor cover and reconnect the pump to the power source.

FAQ:

Q: What should I do if my pump was damaged during shipment?

A: If your pump was damaged during shipment, please contact the place of purchase for assistance with replacement or repair.

Q: Can I install this pump inside air plenums?

A: No, it is not recommended to install this pump inside air plenums.

Q: What should I do if the floats are not moving freely?

A: If the floats are not moving freely, clean them as necessary to ensure proper pump operation.

Q: How should I clean the tank?

A: Clean the tank with warm water and mild soap.

Q: What should I do if there are obstructions or kinks in the inlet and discharge lines?

A: Clean the lines as necessary to remove any obstructions or kinks that may inhibit flow.

INTRODUCTION

This instruction sheet provides you with the information required to safely own and operate your Little Giant pump. Retain these instructions for future reference.
The Little Giant pump you have purchased is of the highest quality workmanship and material, and has been engineered to give you long and reliable service. Little Giant pumps are carefully tested, inspected, and packaged to ensure safe delivery and operation. Please examine your pump carefully to ensure that no damage occurred during shipment. If damage has occurred, please contact the place of purchase. They will assist you in replacement or repair, if required.
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL, OPERATE, OR SERVICE YOUR LITTLE GIANT PUMP. KNOW THE PUMP’S APPLICATION, LIMITATIONS, AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS. PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS BY OBSERVING ALL SAFETY INFORMATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE!

DESCRIPTION

The Little Giant VCMX-20 automatically removes condensation from air conditioners and high-efficiency gas furnaces. A float/switch mechanism turns the pump on when approximately 1.6″ of water collects in its tank, and turns the pump off when the tank drains to approximately 1.2″. A safety overflow switch activates when water in the tank rises to approximately 2.2″, turning off the thermostat or turning on an alarm (depending upon wiring configuration).

SAFETY GUIDELINES

WARNING

• Do not use to pump flammable or explosive fluids such as gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, etc. Do not use in explosive atmospheres. Pump should be used with liquids compatible with pump component materials.
• Do not handle pump with wet hands or when standing on a wet or damp surface, or in water. This pump is supplied with a grounding conductor and/or grounding type attachment plug. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, be certain that it is connected to a properly grounded grounding type receptacle.
• In any installations where property damage and/or personal injury might result from an inoperative or leaking pump due to power outages, discharge line blockage, or any other reason, a backup system(s) and/or alarm should be used.
• Support pump and piping when assembling and when installed. Failure to do so may cause piping to break, pump to fail, motor bearing failures, etc.

INSTALLATION

WARNING

CAUTION: Do not install this pump where it can be splashed or sprayed.
CAUTION: Do not use this pump inside air plenums.

1. Carefully unpack the pump. Using the enclosed mounting bracket, mount the pump either on the side of the air conditioner/furnace or on a nearby wall.(See Figures 10 and 11 for pump dimensions.) The tank has a mounting slot on each side so it can be positioned either way (Figure 1). Ensure that the pump is level and the inlet is below the coil drain. Conduit fittings are not compatible with the plastic pump housing.
   Pumps with an anti-sweat sleeve use a different mounting bracket, but the mounting location holes are the same and the brackets are interchangeable. If mounting the pump on a flat surface, install the enclosed 4 rubber feet onto the bottom of the tank.

2. Fully insert the enclosed check valve into the discharge line, ensuring that the O-ring and discharge line are free of debris (Figure 2).

3. Insert the check valve into the pump discharge hole and twist it by hand 1/4 turn (Figure 3).

4. Check to ensure that the valve is securely locked into position (Figure 4).

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

WARNING: All wiring must be performed by a qualified service technician. Check local electrical and building codes before installation. The installation must be in accordance with their regulations as well as the most recent National Electrical Code (NEC).

1. Shut off electrical power at fuse box before making any connections. All wiring must comply with local codes.

2. Line voltage: Connect power cord to line voltage specified on motor and nameplate. Power cord must be connected to a constant source of power (not a fan or other device that runs intermittently). If power cord does not have a plug, wiring is as follows: green (or green/yellow) is ground, black (or brown) is line, and white (or blue) is neutral.

3. Safety switch: The safety overflow switch should be connected to a Class-II low voltage circuit. To control a thermostatic circuit the COM and NO connections from the safety switch are to be wired in series with the low voltage thermostat circuit to shut down the heating/AC circuit. The COM and NC switch contacts may be used to actuate a low-voltage alarm circuit (connected in series) if the heating/cooling system can not be disrupted. The safety switch comes from the factory with leads connected to the COM and NO switch terminals.
   NOTE: When installing or replacing the safety switch, make sure that it is positioned between the two ribs on the motor cover (Figure 5).
   For hook-up of NC circuits see Figure 5.

4. If fused plug is used on 230V units, a 1.0 amp fuse is recommended.

PIPING

1. Run an inlet line (flexible tubing or pipe) from the evaporator drain into one of the three drain holes, ensuring that the line is sloped downward to allow gravity flow. Cut the inlet line at an angle where it will enter the tank, then put the line into the tank 1 to 2 inches to ensure that it will not interfere with proper float operation.
2. The discharge line (Figure 6) should be flexible tubing secured with a hose clamp (not provided) or pipe (3/8 inch I.D. maximum to prevent excessive flow back to unit). From the pump, extend the discharge line straight up as high as necessary (but not above the head/GPH of the pump). From this high point, slope the discharge line down slightly to a point above the drain, then turn down and extend to a point below or approximately level with the bottom of the pump. This will give a siphoning effect, which will improve the efficiency of the pump and will, in most cases, eliminate the need for a check valve. If it is not possible to slope the discharge line down, make an inverted U-trap directly above the pump at the highest point.

SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING
Inspect and service the pump at least once a year.
NOTE: This pump is equipped with a ¼-turn check valve, which can be easily disconnected from the pump during maintenance/cleaning. The discharge line (and the condensate in the line) can remain while the check valve is unlocked and removed.

1. Disconnect the pump from the power source.
2. To access the tank, float, or intake screen for cleaning, lightly squeeze the tank walls to release the latch (Figure 7), then grab and raise the motor cover. (The motor cover hinges on the opposite end of the tank.)
3. Be sure the floats move freely. Clean as necessary.
4. Clean the tank with warm water and mild soap.
5. Check the inlet and discharge lines, cleaning as necessary. Be sure there are no kinks in the lines that would inhibit flow.
6. Close the motor cover and reconnect the pump to the power source.

TESTING

1. Turn on power.
2. Press lightly on the external test/run lever to engage the motor (Figure 8).

Models with vibration-dampening feet and standard bracket

Models with anti-sweat sleeve and bracket

LIMITED WARRANTY

Your Little Giant product is guaranteed to be in perfect condition when it leaves our Factory. It is warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a period of 24 months (90 day warranty on Models: 1-AA-OM, GKPK-SC, PP-1, PPS-1, PP-12, PPS-12, PP-230 and Cooler King) from date of purchase by the user. No warranty on brush wear in Model 35-OM and impeller or cam in Models PP-1, PP-12, and PP-230. Any product that should fail for either of the above two reasons and is still within the warranty period will be repaired or replaced at the option of Little Giant as the sole remedy of buyer. For our customers in the CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES: Please return the defective unit, postage paid, to the factory at 301 North MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73127-6616. All defective product returned under warranty will be fully inspected to determine the cause of failure before warranty is approved. For our customers located elsewhere; it is not economical, due to duties and freight, to return the pump to the factory for inspection. Please return the defective unit to any authorized distributor or dealer with a brief written explanation of the problem. If there are no apparent signs of customer abuse, unit will be repaired or replaced. If dispute arises over replacement of the pump, the distributor or dealer is to segregate such items and hold for inspection by a representative of Little Giant or notify factory with details of the problem for factory disposition and settlement of warranty claim. DISCLAIMER: THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS AN EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) TO THE EXTENT EITHER APPLIES TO A PUMP SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE PERIODS OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES GIVEN ABOVE.

Warranty will be VOID if any of the following conditions are found:

1. Sealed motor housing opened.
2. Product connected to voltage other than indicated on nameplate.
3. Cord cut off to a length less than three feet.
4. Pump allowed to operate dry (fluid supply cut off).
5. Pump used to circulate anything other than water.
6. Product abuse by customer.

Any oral statements about the product made by the seller, the manufacturer, the representatives or any other parties, do not constitute warranties, shall not be relied upon by the user and are not part of the contract for sale. Seller’s and manufacturer’s only obligation, and buyer’s only remedy, shall be the replacement and/or repair by the manufacturer of the product as described above. NEITHER SELLER NOR THE MANUFACTURER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE, DIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, LOST SALES, INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, OR ANY OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS), ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT AND THE USER AGREES THAT NO OTHER REMEDY SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO IT. Before using, the user shall determine the suitability of the product for the intended use, and user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith.
Some states and countries do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state and country to country.
The National Electric Code requires a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) be installed in the branch circuit supplying fountain equipment rated above 15 volts. Little Giant offers a variety of GFCI’s and recommends each pump be used with a GFCI.

For parts or repair, please contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.888.572.9933

www.LittleGiantPump.com
CustomerService-WTS@fele.com

Form 998632 – 08/2008
©2008 Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
Little Giant® is a registered trademark of Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

References

• HVAC and Wastewater Pumps & Systems | Little Giant
• Manual-Hub.com – Free PDF manuals!

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