PORTACOOL PACHR370/PACHR360 Evaporative Cooler Owner’s Manual
- June 6, 2024
- PORTACOOL
Table of Contents
PORTACOOL PACHR370/PACHR360 Evaporative Cooler
QUICK SETUP
SAFETY
OPERATION WARNINGS
- Not for use by children
- Not for use by persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities
- Not for use by persons who have not reviewed the owner’s manual and familiarized themselves with the operation of the product
SAFE OPERATION
To reduce the risk of electric shock, fire or injury:
- Do not operate any evaporative cooler with a damaged cord or plug.
- Do not run power cord under carpeting or cover with throwrugs, runners or similar coverings. Arrange power cord away from traffic areas to avoid tripping hazards.
- Read the evaporative cooler’s instructions, owner’s manual and labels throughly before use.
- Always unplug the power cord to the evaporative cooler before performing inspections or repairs.
- Always unplug the evaporative cooler during filling and cleaning.
- Do not step on or roll over power cord with heavy or sharp objects.
- Do not operate evaporative cooler unless all KUUL® evaporative media is securely in place.
- Test the GFCI receptacle or breaker monthly to ensure it is functioning properly.
- Remove the plug from the electrical receptacle by pulling on the plug, not the power cord.
- Operation near open flames or sparks is not recommended.
- If operating near open flame or sparks, ensure the pump is continuously running in order to saturate and wet KUUL evaporative media.
- When cleaning your evaporative cooler, ensure water does not get into the motor or electrical system to prevent damage.
- The use of extension cords with your evaporative cooler is not recommended. However, if the owner determines that his or her circumstance or intended use requires the use of an extension cord, the following requirements must be met:
- Use properly grounded 14 AWG or greater for PACHR3600 and PACHR360
- Use properly grounded 12 AWG or greater for PACHR370
- Extension cord must not exceed 50 feet (15.24 meters) in length; and
- Extension cord must be properly grounded
- Evaporative coolers should not be modified in any way (other than repairs made by qualified individuals with Portacool replacement parts).
- If the evaporative cooler is damaged or malfunctions, do not continue to operate it. Refer to the warranty, troubleshooting or FAQ sections of this owner’s manual, call Portacool, LLC Customer Service at 936-598-5651 or 800-695-2942, or email support@portacool.com.
OVERVIEW
GFCI/ELCI
The Portacool Hurricane™ series utilizes a ELCI (Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter) to help protect users against ground electrical faults, which prevent some fire and electrical shock hazards. These devices are intended to trip at very low leakage currents.
- Portacool Hurricane model PACHR360 uses an ELCI, which is built into the power cord and requires a 5-20R (120V) electrical outlet
- The ELCI on model PACHR360 will not automatically reset when the evaporative cooler is plugged into an electrical outlet; the “reset” button located on the ELCI device must be pressed each time the evaporative cooler is plugged in.
- If the ELCI is tripped and a simple “reset” will not work, please contact the Portacool Customer Service at 936-598-5651 or 800-695-2942 for more troubleshooting information.
START UP
- Make sure there is a clear, unobstructed path in front of the evaporative cooler to provide maximum airflow.
- If the evaporative cooler is positioned on a raised platform, ensure the platform is stable, well constructed, and will not allow the evaporative cooler to tip over and that it allows for the full weight of the evaporative cooler including a tank full of water. The cooler must be level and in the upright position. The casters should also be locked to prevent the evaporative cooler from moving.
- If placed near a wall or other obstruction, position the evaporative cooler a minimum of 3 feet (0.9 meters) from the wall or obstruction with evaporative media facing the wall. This allows the unrestricted flow of warm air to the KUUL ComfortTM evaporative media side of the evaporative cooler. When using multiple evaporative coolers in close proximity, be sure to aim each evaporative cooler so the air flows complement each other to achieve maximum cooling capacity.
STARTING THE PUMP AND ADJUSTING THE WATER FLOW
Once the tank is full of water, moving the pump switch to the “ON” position on
the control panel will turn on the pump. When initially turning on the pump,
the level in the water tank will drop suddenly and restart the flow of supply
water. This is a normal condition, as the evaporative media requires a large
amount of water for proper wetting.
New KUUL ComfortTM evaporative media will require an initial ‘breaking-in’
period. This period is required for the media to begin readily absorbing
water. It may require up to a week to achieve maximum efficiency.
It is important to ensure that the water flow to the evaporative media is
properly adjusted when first starting the water flow in the evaporative
cooler. Increasing the flow using the water adjustment valve makes this
adjustment. Proper water adjustment should leave the evaporative media
saturated with water, but not flooded. Evaporative media should appear wet.
When turning the evaporative cooler off at the end of the day or week, the
pump should be turned off about 15 minutes before the fan to allow the KUUL
evaporative media to dry.
STARTING THE PORTACOOL EVAPORATIVE COOLER
Start the fan by turning the fan switch to the desired speed on the control
panel. Before starting, make sure casters are in locked position.
DIGITAL CONTROLS
The user interface includes touch sensitive buttons for operation of the Portacool Hurricane™ 370. The user interface also includes status indicator LEDs and a 7-segment display to show the status of the evaporative cooler.
-
Power
The green Power LED is illuminated when the evaporative cooler is plugged in. -
Water level
The red water level LED is illuminated when the float switch detects a low water level and the pump is not turning on. This LED flashes if the pump is running during a low water occurrence to indicate that more water needs to be added in order to continue running the pump. -
Timer
The controller features five pre-programmed modes which control the fan / pump sequence for a pre defined period. Each touch of the program button cycles through the five modes: 1HR, 2HR, 4HR, 8HR, and TIMER OFF. During the program run, the user can adjust the maximum fan speed with the up/down buttons. When the program is active, the Timer LED will be on and, for five seconds, the user will be shown which program (1H, 2H, 4H, or 8H) is active. -
Pump
Press the pump button once to power on and again to power off. The green Pump LED is illuminated when the pump is enabled. The LED flashes slowly if continuously held and the timer is disabled. -
Fan
When the fan is off, touch the fan button once to turn the fan on in full speed. When the fan is on, touch of the Fan button again to turn the fan off. The green Fan LED is illuminated when the fan is active. The LED flashes slowly if continuously held and the timer is disabled. -
Speeds
The buttons control the air velocity of the cooler. Beginning with “Lo”, or 30% air flow, then 50%, then up to “Hi” or 100% airflow and increasing in five percent increments. -
Two digits display the cooler’s temperature, fan speed, and timer program. If the cooler does not have a temperature sensor connected, the display will constantly show fan speed. If the cooler does feature a temperature sensor, then the temperature is displayed unless: a fan speed change is being called upon either by means of the up/down button or by the timer’s program. When a fan speed change is requested, the fan speed will be displayed for five seconds before returning to the cooler temperature.
LOCK OUT FEATURE
If the operator would like to lock settings so that they can’t be adjusted,
simply press the “up” arrow and the fan button simultaneously to lock the
controls. To unlock, press the “down” button and the fan icon. When enabled,
“L-E”, or “Lock Enabled”, will be displayed in the LED.
FAHRENHEIT VS CELSIUS
If the operator would like to change the temperature setting from Fahrenheit
to Celsius, press the fan, motor and timer buttons simultaneously. To switch
from celsius to fahrenheit, simply repeat the process
MAINTENANCE
While the rugged, corrosion-resistant construction ensures low maintenance will be required, keeping your evaporative cooler clean will ensure it stays in peak operating condition.
DAILY MAINTENANCE
The pump should be turned off approximately 15 minutes before the fan is
turned off, which allows the KUUL® evaporative media to dry. Ensuring your
KUUL evaporative media is dry at the end of the day not only extends its life,
it also helps control the growth of mildew, mold, bacteria and other odor-
causing elements.
WEEKLY MAINTENANCE
Your Portacool portable evaporative cooler should be shut down, disconnected
from power and the tank should be drained once a week by removing the drain
cap. Once the tank is drained and the power disconnected, the KUUL evaporative
media may be removed to allow cleaning of the tank, where dust may collect
over time. Replace KUUL evaporative media in correct airflow direction,
referring to the label on the KUUL evaporative media.
If conditions, such as hard water, warrant, Portacool Hard Water Treatment™
can be purchased at www.portacoolparts.com or
from authorized distributors. Portacool Hard Water Treatment keeps minerals
present in your water in solution and off of your KUUL evaporative media by
changing the ionic structure of the particles. It can increase cooling
efficiency, remove and inhibit scale building up, reduce equipment corrosion,
and extend evaporative media life.
STORAGE
- Drain all water from the tank and wipe the tank clean, ensuring the KUUL evaporative media and tank are dry.
- Roll up the power cord and secure it to ensure it will not be rolled over, tripped over or caught in equipment.
- Cover the evaporative cooler completely to prevent dust build-up and store in a dry area. This also helps to prevent damage to the KUUL evaporative media. Optional protective covers are available from your
distributor or at www.portacoolparts.com.
TROUBLESHOOT
Turn off all power to the evaporative cooler before attempting to troubleshoot any of the following symptoms. For problems not listed, please contact Customer Service.
WARRANTY
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Technical support and service is available directly from your distributor or
call Portacool, LLC Customer Service at
800-695-2942 for the distributor
nearest you. You may also contact Customer Service for consultation on
troubleshooting and parts replacement.
Please have serial number and model number of evaporative cooler available.
WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT PARTS
PORTACOOL™ EVAPORATIVE COOLER LIMITED WARRANTY
For five (5) years from date of purchase, Portacool, LLC (hereafter
“Portacool”) warrants any original component part or parts of its Portacool™
portable evaporative coolers (the “Equipment”) that are found, upon
examination by factory-authorized personnel, to be defective in material or
workmanship.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Portacool warrants its
Hurricane 370 and 360 housings for the full lifetime of the product to the
extent they are found, upon examination by factory-authorized personnel, to be
defective in material or workmanship. The Lifetime Warranty on product
housings is void if the housing is found upon examination by Portacool to have
been misused, abused or otherwise tampered with by unqualified personnel. The
Lifetime Warranty on product housings does not cover ordinary wear and tear
and is non-transferrable.
If the Equipment and/or its original component parts, including product
housings, develop a defect covered by this limited warranty within the
applicable time periods described above, the same may be repaired or replaced
at the option of Portacool.
All transportation charges for shipment of the Equipment and/or its component
parts that are submitted for replacement or repair under this warranty must be
borne by the purchaser.
This warranty is void if: i) the Equipment and/or its component parts are
found to have been misused, abused, repaired by or tampered with by
unqualified personnel; ii) any of the product’s component parts have been
replaced with parts that were not authorized Portacool replacement parts; iii)
the product has been modified in any way (other than repairs made by qualified
individuals with Portacool replacement parts); iv) the product has not been
appropriately registered by its original purchaser; or v) the customer cannot
show proof of purchase as the product’s original owner.
PORTACOOL LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN THE CASE OF A BREACH OF ANY IMPLIED OR WRITTEN WARRANTY RELATING TO THE
EQUIPMENT AND/OR ITS COMPONENT PARTS, PORTACOOL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, AND THE LIMITS OF LIABILITY AGAINST
PORTACOOL FOR ANY SUCH BREACH SHALL NOT EXCEED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OR
REPAIR OF THE EQUIPMENT.
PORTACOOL PROTECT
Portacool, LLC is proud to provide world-class service and support. Portacool
Protect™ brings together our commitment to service and support in the form of
best-in-class warranties, service programs, technical support and live
customer service to provide our customers with an ownership experience that is
second to none.
Each of the following components are included with your Portacool Hurricane™
series product:
For complete warranty information and limitations, please see Warranty page. Beyond these aspects of Portacool Protect™, we ask that you not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or comments you might have. For more than 25 years, we have built our business on service and support. We look forward to speaking with you.
FAQ
-
Q. What assembly is required?
A. None. Portacool Hurricane evaporative coolers are ready to use right out of the box. -
Q. How do I prepare my evaporative cooler for storage?
A. Drain the evaporative cooler, dry out the evaporative media, cover the evaporative cooler and store in a dry place. -
Q. I just ran my evaporative cooler for the first time and there is an unpleasant odor.
A. Our unique design and manufacturing technique, together with our superior materials, enable our products to perform efficiently within a wide range of conditions. When installed correctly, our evaporative media products allow complete molecular evaporation of water ensuring a pure, clean stream of air. When new, it is possible that a small amount of aromatic molecules may evaporate along with the water molecules, which could be detected as a slight smell. This scent lessens in time. Our product does not, in any way, allow harmful chemicals to be evaporated into the air stream. -
Q. My evaporative cooler is not putting out any cool air.
A. First, make sure the water source and electricity source are connected and working. Second, check to see if the KUUL evaporative media is damp. If not, adjust the water flow with the water adjustment valve. Third, make sure there is water in the tank. It should be allowed to fill before you turn the pump on. -
Q. What is the best environment to produce the most cool air?
A. For optimum performance, the temperature should be 85˚ F or higher and the relative humidity should be below 75%. However, Portacool evaporative coolers will reduce the temperature in almost any environment, making it more comfortable. -
Q. How often should my KUUL ComfortTM evaporative media be replaced?
A. Depending on the quality of maintenance and frequency of use, KUUL Comfort evaporative media typically last up to five years. However, should you have any questions about the life of the media in your Portacool® portable evaporative cooler, please call our Customer Service department for more detailed information. -
Q. What is the difference between evaporative cooling and misting systems?
A. Misting systems spray a shower of water into the air that will collect on people, objects, equipment, floors, etc. Portacool evaporative coolers use the process of evaporation to produce cooler air, but do not produce a mist. -
Q. Where can I buy replacement parts?
A. Replacement parts may be purchased online at www.portacoolparts.com or from any Portacool distributor. You may also contact Portacool Customer Service department for additional assistance. -
Q. What is the amount of moisture produced?
A. An increase in humidity of approximately two to five percent is produced, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment. This increase is not noticeable in a ventilated area where the air produced by the cooler is exhausted. -
Q. How long will the water supply last in the tank?
A. With no direct water source available, the water will evaporate in a filled tank within two to 10 hours of operation, depending on the water capacity of the evaporative cooler, ambient conditions, temperature and humidity. A water source for refilling the tank is recommended by the manufacturer. -
Q. Where are the model and serial numbers found?
A. The model number can be found on a metal plate on the outside of the evaporative cooler. Model numbers begin with the letters “PAC.” Serial numbers are all digits. -
Q. What if my questions are not answered here?
A. Check out our videos on www.portacool.com or our YouTube channel. Our U.S.-based Customer Service staff is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday though Friday at 800-695-2942 or you can e-mail them at support@portacool.com.
HOW TO REPLACE YOUR KUUL COMFORT™ EVAPORATIVE MEDIA
Step 1
Be sure to unplug your Portacool portable evaporative cooler before doing any
maintenance. Lock the casters to keep your evaporative cooler from moving
while you are working. Remove the flap and KUUL ComfortTM evaporative media
from the evaporative cooler. The flap is attached at the top of the
evaporative cooler with screws. Remove the screws and set the flap aside.
Step 2
All KUUL Comfort evaporative media must be removed before accessing the inside
of the evaporative cooler. Remove the center set of KUUL Comfort evaporative
media first by grasping at the top and tilting it out and away from the
evaporative cooler. While tilting the KUUL Comfort evaporative media out, lift
it up and out of the evaporative cooler.
Step 3
Remove remaining KUUL Comfort evaporative media in the same manner. Set aside
in a safe place to prevent damage while out of the evaporative cooler. Once
all the KUUL Comfort evaporative media has been removed, you should have
access to the inside of the evaporative cooler and internal components.
Step 4
Replace your KUUL Comfort evaporative media by beginning on the outer edges
and working towards the center. Pay close attention to the stickers on the
evaporative media the arrow sticker should point up and inward. Replace the
evaporative media flap, securing it with screws.
PARTS
370 360
MOTOR| PARMTRH3700A| PARMTRH3600A
PUMP| PARPMPH3700A| PARPMPH3600A
MEDIA| PARKULH37000| PARKULH36000
FAN ASSEMBLY| PARFANH370F0| PARFANH360F0
HMI| PARCTLH37000| PARCTLH36000
VFD| PARVFDH37000|
COVER| PARCVRH37000|
HARD WATER TREATMENT| PARPACHWTB00| PARPACHWTB00
Additional parts can be found at
www.portacoolparts.com
For products sold outside North America, contact Customer Service at
800-695-2942 or email
support@portacool.com for item numbers and product
availability.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACT
1-936-598-5651
1-800-695-2942
SUPPORT@PORTACOOL.COM
TECHNICAL/PARTS CONTACT
1-936-598-5651
1-800-695-2942
SUPPORT@PORTACOOL.COM
VISIT PORTACOOL.COM OR CALL 1-936-598-5651 FOR MORE INFORMATION