SEAIRA Global WatchDog 900 Dehumidifier User Guide
- June 5, 2024
- SEAIRA Global
Table of Contents
The Watchdog 900
Quick Start Guide
Seaira Global • 14021 NC Highway 50 •
Surf City, NC 28445
www.seairaglobal.com
How to prepare your Crawlspace
Prior to installation, be sure to do the following:
- Clean Out Debris
- Inspect for Issues
- Repair Problems
- Seal Any Openings
- Install A Vapor Barrier
How to Prepare Your Crawl Space for I nstallation
If you decide to install your dehumidifier in a crawl space, there are a
few steps you need to take prior to installation.
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First, you will need to clean out any debris that may be cluttering up the crawl space. This will make sure that there are no hidden problems such as cracks in the foundation. It will also ensure that the vapor barrier can be installed properly. In addition, cleaning out any unnecessary items will make it much easier to move around in the crawl space. Being able to move around more easily is useful for a hassle-free installation, as well as for future maintenance that may need to be done.
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After the crawl space is clear, you will need to inspect it for any potential issues so they can be fixed prior to installation. For instance, you may notice signs of pests or rodents in the crawl space. The crawl space could also show signs of structural issues, such as damaged floor joists or girders. Most importantly, you need to ensure that all signs of excess moisture are taken care of. This could be anything from puddles of water to leaking pipes.
If not taken care of prior to installation, these issues could prevent your dehumidifier from running effectively. Consequently, if you discover any problems be sure to either repair them yourself or call the necessary people to take care of them. -
Once the issues have been repaired, it’s time to seal the openings in the crawl space. If your crawl space is not sealed properly, your new dehumidifier will never be effective. Everything from the ceiling to foundation vents needs to be properly sealed. To quickly test if your crawl space is completely sealed, complete the following test. First, close the access door, and then turn off all of the lights. Once that is done, check to make sure that no light is coming into the crawl space.
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The final step in preparing your crawl space is to install the vapor barrier. A vapor barrier is a heavy-duty plastic sheeting used to keep moisture out of the crawl space. Having a vapor barrier also makes it easier to move around in the crawl space. If you want a vapor barrier that works effectively, be sure to use polyethylene that is at least 10 mil. thick.
Furthermore, be sure to overlap the seams by at least 12 inches and seal all joints with adhesive during installation.
Tips for Dehumidifier Installation
- Prep The Space
- Pick Your Spot
- Create A Base
- Add the Machine
- Direct Exhaust
- Set up Gravity Drain
Tips for Dehumidifier Installation
To help make dehumidifier installation hassle-free, here are a few tips to
keep in mind.
- As we discussed earlier, it’s important to prep your crawl space prior to installation. It’s much easier to fix the problems now rather than let them get worse. If you need a refresher, refer back to the crawl space prep section.
- After the crawl space is prepared, it’s time to decide what area of the crawl space is best for the dehumidifier. You will need access to a 115V, 60Hz, 3-Prong GFI outlet with a 15 amp time-delay fuse or circuit breaker. It’s helpful to place it somewhere easily accessible to make routine maintenance easier. Another important factor is setting up the drainage system. The 900 can’t sit directly on the ground unless the unit is feeding directly into a sump pump next to it. The elevation is required for water to flow through the gravity drain.
- Once you’ve located the perfect spot, you will need to create a base for the dehumidifier. This could be anything from a level pad to blocks, as long as it’s a stable mounting location.
- Now that you have the base set up, you can finally add the machine. Carefully bring in the dehumidifier and set it on top of the base. Make sure that the dehumidifier is level before proceeding.
- After the dehumidifier is level, you need to direct the exhaust outlet to the desired location. Typically, you will want to choose the longest, unobstructed dimension in the crawl space.
- At this point, you can set up the gravity drain. The drain line should be routed to a suitable drain on the outside. It must flow downward without any loops or dips. In most situations, transitioning from the drain line to PVC pipe is the best option. See the Recommended Gravity Drain Section for further details.
- That’s it for installation, now you’re ready to plug in your machine and turn it on! Prior to leaving the crawl space, don’t forget to check the unit’s serial number so you can activate your dehumidifier warranty.
Recommended Gravity Drain Option
The WatchDog 900 comes standard with 12” of the drain line. If you need the
drain line to be longer, it’s useful to transition to PVC pipe or you may have
difficulty keeping the drain line unkinked.
Tools Needed:
- 3/4” OD PVC, long enough to reach your desired drainage spot
- 3/4” PVC elbow
- approx. 6” piece of 3/4” OD PVC
- First, insert the longer section of PVC into the elbow. (Note: Keep the length of PVC drain pipe to a minimum)
- Next, insert the 6” section of PVC onto the other end of the elbow.
- Finally, insert the open end of the drain line into the 6” section of PVC. Make sure the drain line will flow into the tubing, however, you don’t want it extending into the PVC elbow.
- Support the PVC tubing as necessary, so that it can maintain a smooth, downward flow to the drain.
- Prior to leaving the crawl space, verify that the gravity drain is working properly.
Operating Instructions
- Turning the Unit On/Off
- Adjusting the Humidity Level
- Continuous Mode
- Compressor Indicator
Turning the Unit On/Off
- To turn the dehumidifier on, press the power button. You will hear one beep as the machine starts to run. In addition, the light will illuminate red.
- Once running, the power light will illuminate red.
- To turn the unit off, press the power button again. You will hear a single beep as the machine begins to shut down the process. Keep in mind that there is a one-minute fan delay after shut down.
Adjusting the Settings
Humidity Level
- To adjust the humidity level, use the up arrow and the down arrow buttons until the desired level is displayed on your screen. The dehumidifier can be set anywhere between 35%-90%. The typical setpoint is between 50% and 55% humidity.
- Creating a desired humidity set point means that when the indoor humidity is higher than the set level, the unit will operate.
Continuous Mode
- If you need your WatchDog to run constantly, you can use Continuous mode. To switch into Continuous mode, use the arrow keys to set the humidity below 36%. At this point, the Cont. Defrost light should illuminate green on the display board to indicate the unit has been successfully switched to Continuous mode. The display screen will show “CO”.
- Once in continuous mode, the dehumidifier will run constantly regardless of the level of humidity level until you turn the unit off or switch back to normal humidistat operation. To switch back to normal operation, use the arrow keys to move the setpoint above 36%. Compressor Indicator
- The compressor indicator will illuminate red on the display board to show that compressor operation has been initiated and the unit is currently warming up. Wait a few minutes and the compressor will begin to run. Once running, the compressor indicator will switch to green.
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
- Pleasant Air Quality
- Deter Pests
- Healthier Environment
- Preserve Integrity of
- Eliminate Mold Home
Now that you’ve purchased a dehumidifier, you will be able to eliminate many of the problems that have been plaguing your home. Here are just a few benefits that you can look forward to:
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Pleasant Air Quality
Although your dehumidifier will be located in the crawl space, it will affect the air quality in your entire home. See, the moisture in your crawl space mixes with the air and naturally rises upwards through a process called the “Stack Effect”. This means that all of the most humid, the air in the crawl space is spread throughout your entire home.
Adding a dehumidifier will help reduce humidity in the crawl space, thus affecting your entire home. Once you install your dehumidifier, you won’t have to deal with a muggy, uncomfortable living environment. -
Healthier Environment
Not only is high humidity uncomfortable, but it can also be harmful to your health. Living in a humid home can lead to serious health issues, especially when mold and mildew develop. Furthermore, high humidity can exacerbate current medical issues, such as asthma or allergies. -
Eliminate Mold
A humid crawl space is a perfect environment for mold and mildew to spread. Mold spores spread through damp, moist areas so if you can eliminate the moisture, you can eliminate the mold. Using your new dehumidifier in the crawl space is the perfect way to remove moisture and maintain the environment. -
Deter Pests
Excess moisture and humidity are also very enticing to pests and bugs since they need moisture to survive. For instance, if there are puddles on the ground or moisture in the subflooring, your home will attract all sorts of pests from termites to cockroaches. By installing a dehumidifier, you can dry out the environment and discourage them in the future. -
Preserving your Home
Another big advantage of installing a crawl space dehumidifier is protecting your home from damage. A long period of high humidity plus the damage from mold and pests can be very damaging for your home. Everything from the foundation to the walls can begin to show signs of wear and damage.
Useful Terms
Pints Per Day (PPD):
Pints Per Day is the volume (in pints) of moisture extracted from the air
daily by your dehumidifier.
Vapor Barrier:
A vapor barrier is a thin layer of impermeable material, typically
polyethylene sheeting, included in building construction to prevent moisture
from damaging the foundation of the building. Vapor barriers are used in
crawlspaces to prevent moisture in the ground from seeping back into the space
once the dehumidifier has removed it.
Gravity Drain:
A dehumidifier with a gravity drain uses gravity to move water through the
drain line to an acceptable area for drainage out of the crawl space. In order
for a gravity drain to work effectively, the drain tube must be set up
properly on a downward slope with no kinks or twists.
Condensate Pump:
A dehumidifier with a built-in condensate pump pumps the condensate (water)
from the dehumidifier to an acceptable area for drainage outside of the crawl
space. Condensate pumps turn on intermittently depending on the water level in
the pump reservoir. As the water rises in the reservoir, it raises a float
switch which energizes the pump. The pump will then run until the level of
water in the reservoir is substantially lowered. It is important to note that
a condensate pump is a mechanical device and will require yearly maintenance
to ensure it is functioning properly.
Condensate Pump Lift:
Condensate Pump Lift describes how high the condensate pump is capable of
moving water. For instance, the Watchdog 900c has a 15-foot condensate pump
lift.
SetPoint:
Setpoint is the desired value in a closed-loop feedback system. When using a
dehumidifier, you choose the humidity setpoint, which is the desired humidity
level you wish to maintain in the area.
Stack Effect:
Stack Effect describes the process of humid air entering your crawlspace and
rising up throughout your home. As the warm air rises and escapes through your
roof, it creates a
vacuum. The warm air is then replaced with cool air. This is considered the
natural airflow pattern of your home. As the air from the crawlspace is drawn
up into your home it brings moisture and all of its harmful side effects with
it.
Coils (Evaporator and Condenser):
The condenser coil condenses the refrigerant from its gaseous to its liquid
state by cooling it. This then moves into the evaporator coil where the
refrigerant evaporates as it absorbs heat from the indoor air passing over it.
The evaporator coil is the one you can see on your dehumidifier that is cool
and wet to the touch.
Inlet Filter:
The inlet protects the evaporator coil from dirt and debris as the air is
being pulled into the dehumidifier to be conditioned. All Seaira Global
dehumidifiers have a filter that protects the coils. The Watchdog 900 and 900c
come standard with a washable prefilter. The Watchdog 550 comes standard with
a Merv8 filter, which is also available for the Watchdog 900 series. All
Watchdog dehumidifiers can also be upgraded to HEPA filters or carbon filters.
Relative Humidity (RH) Sensor:
The RH sensor reads the relative humidity of the space within +/- 5% to
determine when your dehumidifier needs to run.
Supply Duct Collar:
The black collar on the side of your unit is the supply duct collar. You can
attach flexible 6” tubing to this collar and blow the warm conditioned air to
any place you would like. For example, if you have an area of your crawlspace
that tends to be damp and is cut off from the rest of your crawlspace by your
HVAC system, you can attach the flexible duct and run it over to that closed-
off area to help dry it out.
Drain Line:
The drain line is how the water is moved out of the unit and into the drain
system. The Watchdog 550 and Watchdog 900 both have 12” of drain line for the
water to flow from the drain tray to the system you or your installer has put
in place to move the water out of your crawlspace. The Watchdog 900c has 20
feet of drain line to move the water away from the dehumidifier using the
condensate pump.
MERV:
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. A MERV rating varies from
1-to 16. The higher the value, the more efficient the filter will be in
trapping airborne particles.
MERV8 Filter:
A MERV8 filter is capable of trapping airborne particles in the 3.0-10.0 pm
size. The disposable filters have an extended surface area and are made with a
thick cotton-polyester blend media.
HEPA Filter:
HEPA filters are also known as a high-efficiency particulate air filters. To
qualify as a HEPA filter, it must remove 99.97% of particles that have a size
of 0.3 micrometers. The filters are composed of a mat of randomly arranged
fibers that are typically composed of fiberglass. HEPA filters are commonly
marketed in HVAC systems for people with allergies.
Carbon Filter:
Carbon filters, also known as activated carbon filters, aid in odor removal.
The activated carbon attracts and removes odor molecules by trapping the
molecules in the pores of the activated carbon.
Hot Gas Bypass (HGB):
The main purpose of having HGB is to prevent condensate from freezing on the
surface of the evaporator coil when the dehumidifier is operating at extremely
low load conditions. The HGB diverts hot, high-pressure refrigerant vapor to
the evaporator side of the system, which raises the suction temperature to
prevent frost from forming.
Watchdog 900 Parts Diagram
WatchDog
900 & 900c
Back Interior View
Troubleshooting
Issue
| Potential Cause|
Solution
---|---|---
Dehumidifier Will Not Power On| Power Supply| •Make the unit is properly
plugged in and that the outlet is functional t
Low Air Flow| Room Temperature is outside of the operational range (over
105°F= Display HI or below 33°F = Display LO)| •Modify the room conditions so
the temperature is within operational range (between 33°-105°F) and operation
will commence.
| Filter is Blocked| •Clean the filter mesh (see maintenance section in manual
for details)
| Air Inlet or Outlet is Jammed| •Clear the blockage from the inlet or outlet
Loud Noise| A dehumidifier is Not Level| •Adjust the base and/or dehumidifier
as necessary, to create a level surface
| Filter Mesh is Jammed| •Clean the filter mesh (see maintenance section in
manual for details)
Error Code E:1| E:1 indicates humidity sensor issues| •Verify sensor wire is
connected at both ends.
•If there are no visible issues, it may be a faulty sensor that needs to be
replaced
Error Code E:3| E:3 indicates the coil sensor has failed| •Replace the coil
sensor
Error Code HI or LO| Room Temperature is outside of the operational range
(over 105°F=
Display HI or below 33°F = Display LO)| • Modify the room conditions so the
temperature is within operational range (between 33°105°F) and
the operation will commence.
Activating Your Warranty
Once you have your dehumidifier installed, it’s time to activate your warranty. All Seaira Global dehumidifiers include a 1-year warranty on all parts plus a 5-year warranty on the parts in the refrigeration circuit (for complete details, check your owner’s manual). In order to take advantage of this service, please be sure to submit the warranty card in your owner’s manual.
Additional Resources
For further assistance on operating and maintaining your new dehumidifier, visit www.seairaglobal.com where you can find how-to guides, videos, spec sheets, and much more.
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