PORTACOOL PAC510 Evaporative Cooler Owner’s Manual
- June 6, 2024
- PORTACOOL
Table of Contents
PORTACOOL 510
OWNER’S MANUAL
PAC510
- Applies to all 120 and 240V products for global configurations
QUICK SETUP
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Position product on level surface
-
Fill tank
-
Plug into appropriate outlet
-
For setup, Kuul Comfort ™ evaporative media should appear wet before starting the fan. Be sure to turn the pump on before starting the fan. Check the water gauge
to monitor water level in tank.
Once product is plugged in and filled, turn on the pump switch and the fan -
Your Portacool portable evaporative cooler is meant to be used in an open-air environment, such as a patio. If you plan to use your evaporative cooler in a more closed environment – such as a garage, sunroom or barn – you must provide adequate ambient airflow to ensure your evaporative cooler works at its highest efficiency. When using in a semi-closed environment, be sure to leave a door or window open to allow for the proper amount of airflow.
Ensure proper airflow is available
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.
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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.
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Read the evaporative cooler’s instructions, owner’s manual and labels thoroughly before use.
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Always unplug the power cord to the evaporative cooler before performing inspections or repairs.
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Always unplug the evaporative cooler during filling and cleaning.
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Do not step on or roll over power cord with heavy or sharp objects.
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Do not operate evaporative cooler unless all Kuul Comfort™ evaporative media is securely in place.
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Test the GFCI receptacle or breaker monthly to ensure it is functioning properly.
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Remove the plug from the electrical receptacle by pulling on the plug, not the power cord.
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Operation near open flames or sparks is not recommended.
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If operating near open flame or sparks, ensure the pump is continuously running in order to saturate and wet Kuul Comfort evaporative media.
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When cleaning your evaporative cooler, ensure water does not get into the motor or electrical system to prevent damage.
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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:
– Extension cord must be 14 gauge or greater;
– Extension cord must not exceed 50 (15.24 meters) feet 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).
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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
PORTACOOL® 510
*Red light on control panel only illuminates when reservoir is empty and pump has shutoff due to low water.
**Use caution when moving product filled with water.
How to Safely Move or Relocate Your 510 Evaporative Cooler to Avoid the
Release of Water:
When attempting to move or relocate your 510 evaporative cooler more than a
few feet away from its current location using the rolling casters affixed to
the cooler, Portacool recommends the water reservoir level be less than 1/2
full to avoid the potential for water being spilled or released. When
transporting your 510 evaporative cooler, where the use of the rolling casters
is not an option, Portacool recommends draining the water reservoir completely
to avoid the potential for water being spilled or released. The User should
reference the “water level gauge” to verify water level before moving or
relocating the cooler.
GFCI
The Portacool® 510 utilizes a GFCI (Grounded Fault 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.
The Portacool 510 model (PAC5101A1) uses a GFCI, which is built into the power cord. The GFCI on these models will automatically reset when the evaporative cooler is plugged into an electrical outlet.
If the GFCI 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.
FEATURES
WATER LEVEL INDICATOR / PUMP SHUTOFF
A water level indicator with integral shutoff gives a visual indication of the
water level in the evaporative cooler and will shut off the pump once the
water reaches a certain threshold. When this occurs, a red light on the
control panel will illuminate to draw attention to the low water level
condition and alert the user that the pump has shut off. This light may cycle
on and off for a few minutes to draw attention to the low water condition as
it tries to exhaust the remaining water. In order to restart the pump and
reset the light, water must be added to the tank of the evaporative cooler.
Portacool® 510 portable evaporative coolers must be operated on a level surface. If the product is not completely level, there may be some discrepancy in the readings on your WLI. Please note the pump will shut off when there is not sufficient water.
OSCILLATING LOUVERS
The Portacool ® 510 evaporative cooler comes with built-in oscillating louvers
to push airflow to a wider area. Operating the louvers is easy – simply flip
the blue “louver” rocker switch found on the control panel up. This should
illuminate the button and cause the louvers to swing side to side.
START UP
PLACEMENT
- 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. Ensure it allows for the full weight of the evaporative cooler, including a tank full of water. The evaporative cooler must be level and in the upright position to prevent movement.
- 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 the Kuul ® evaporative media facing the wall. This allows the unrestricted flow of warm air to the Kuul evaporative media. 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
Once the tank is full of water, flip the pump switch into the on position. The
water level in the tank may drop suddenly. This is a normal condition, as the
Kuul evaporative media requires a large amount of water for proper wetting.
New Kuul evaporative media requires an initial ‘breaking-in’ period before the
Kuul evaporative media begins readily absorbing water. It may require up to a
week to achieve maximum efficiency.
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 either the high or low position.
Before starting your evaporative cooler, make sure any locking casters are in
locked position.
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 odour-
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 shop.portacool.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 shop.portacool.com.
TROUBLESHOOT
Turn off all power to your evaporative cooler before attempting to troubleshoot any of the following symptoms. For problems not listed, please contact Customer Service.
SYMPTOM| POSSIBLE CAUSES|
REMEDY
---|---|---
Evaporative cooler fails to start or deliver air| 1. No electricity to the
evaporative cooler
A. Circuit breaker tripped
B. GFCI tripped
C. Power cord unplugged or damaged
2. Motor overheated and/or frozen| 1. Check power
A. Reset breaker*
B. Reset GFCI**
C. Plug in cord(s) or replace if damaged
2. Replace motor
Evaporative cooler starts, but air delivery
is inadequate
| 1. Kuul evaporative media side of the evaporative cooler is too close to a
wall
2. Fan motor failure
3. Capacitor failure| 1. Move evaporative cooler at least three feet from
the wall
2. Replace fan motor
3. Replace capacitor
Water draining from the evaporative cooler| 1. Seam in float valve leaking
2. Drain plug not tight| 1. Replace float valve
2. Tighten plug
Knocking, shaking, or rattling sounds| 1. Loose parts
2. Fan blade rubbing shroud| 1. Check and tighten where needed
2. Inspect and adjust, or replace fan blade
- If condition persists, call electrician
** See GFCI section
SYMPTOM| POSSIBLE CAUSES|
REMEDY
---|---|---
Musty or unpleasant odor| 1. Stale or stagnant water in tank
2. Kuul evaporative media is mildewed or clogged| 1. Drain, flush and clean
tank
2. Replace Kuul evaporative media
Water droplets in the air stream| 1. Too much water delivered to Kuul
evaporative media
2. Leaking hose| 1. Make sure Kuul evaporative media is properly positioned
in the frames and evaporative cooler is level
2. Tighten connection or replace hose
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 Support 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 one (1) year 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 Portacool 510 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, develop a defect covered by this limited warranty within the applicable time periods described above, the same may be repaired by the customer after receiving the appropriate parts from Portacool or entirely replaced with a new product of the same by Portacool 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 ® 510 product:
Year warranty on Portacool 510 motor and electrical components| Lifetime
warranty on all molded housings| Live, U.S.-based Customer Service
---|---|---
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 30 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 ® 510 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 wet. If not,
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 Comfort TM 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 shop.portacool.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 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. When present, lock the casters to keep your evaporative cooler
from moving while you are working. Remove the flap and Kuul Comfort TM
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.
NOTES
THE HOME OF KUUL™
CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACT
SUPPORT@PORTACOOL.COM
1-936-598-5651 •
1-800-695-2942
TECHNICAL/PARTS CONTACT
SUPPORT@PORTACOOL.COM
1-936-598-5651 •
1-800-695-2942
VISIT PORTACOOL.COM
OR CALL 1-936-598-5651
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Portacool, LLC • Manufacturer of Portacool™
portable evaporative coolers and Kuul® evaporative media
711 FM 2468 • Center, Texas 75935 •
936-598-5651
www.portacool.com •
www.thekuuleffect.com
The manual is available in other languages.
To download a digital copy, please visit
www.portacool.com.
MANR0020
November 2021
REGISTER YOUR PRODUCT AT
WWW.PORTACOOL.COM
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