Dri-Eaz Dragon K85 Owner's Manual

Owner’s Manual –

Dragon K85 Mobile

Furnace

115-volt model

DRI-EAZ PRODUCTS, INC.

15180 Josh Wilson Road, Burlington, WA USA 98233

Fax: [phone] Phone: [phone]

www.dri-eaz.com

The Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace is a diesel fuel- and
electric-powered indirect fired heater. It provides heated
air without adding moisture for a variety of applications,
including water damage restoration, structural drying,
construction, and temporary event shelters.

Safety Information

Read this Owner's Manual carefully to learn how to
properly operate and service your Dragon K85 Mobile
Furnace. This manual should be considered a
permanent part of the machine and should remain
with the Dragon if you sell it.

Failure to comply with the instructions and precautions
provided in this Owner’s Manual can result in death,
serious bodily injury, and/or property loss or damage
from hazards of fire, explosion, burn, asphyxiation,
carbon monoxide poisoning, and/or electrical shock.

Electrical Connections

The Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace is designed to operate
on a 115V/60 Hz electrical connection. Make sure that
the electrical outlet is grounded with three prongs. When
using with an extension cord, use only a grounded cord
intended for outdoor use and rated to deliver enough
power to the Dragon (4.4 amps@115V
or 506W).

Failure to use diesel fuel could cause injury and
permanent damage to the unit. It may also void the
Dri-Eaz warranty.

Altitude Adjustment

The Dragon is factory-set for use at elevations up to
2000 feet. For use above 2000 feet, the unit must be
adjusted to avoid excessive soot build-up and possible
flue fire. Failure to adjust for high-altitude use could

cause injury, permanent damage to the unit and
secondary damage when ducting into a structure.
It may also void the Dri-Eaz warranty. Have a qualified

HVAC technician adjust the unit for use in your area.
Black or gray/white smoke coming from the flue
indicates an improper air to fuel ratio. Call an authorized
service center or HVAC specialist for assistance.
For questions call: 1-888-867-3235.

OVERVIEW

Introduction

The Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace is an indirect fired
heater. It supplies heated air to an area without adding
any moisture or fumes through the heating process. The
Dragon is able to do this by using a heat exchanger so
that the process air never comes into direct contact with
the flame in the combustion chamber.

The Dragon operates from outside the structure. It draws
in the ambient outdoor air and increases its temperature
by 81°F. An electric fan directs this heated air into the
structure through ducting. The remote thermostat
automatically cycles the Dragon on and off to maintain a
preset temperature in the affected area.

The clean, dry heat from the Dragon helps reduce drying
times while maintaining stable and comfortable
temperatures. The Dragon is ideal for any number of
applications, including:

• water damage restoration

• new construction drying

• unheated jobsites

• temporary event shelters

• any situation calling for clean, dry heat

Fuel Type

The Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace is designed to operate
on diesel #2 fuel oil only. The Dragon can operate for a
minimum of 8 hours using the internal
gallons (35 L). Do not run the Dragon out of fuel, as it
may be difficult to restart. For longer unattended use, it
is recommended that you purchase a larger, DOT­approved external

siphon.

If external tank is used, cover opening to prevent
contaminants from entering tank. Place tank on flat,
stable surface to prevent tipping or spilling.

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fuel tank to use with the external fuel

tank that holds 9.3

Principles of Use

For applications like water damage restoration and new
construction drying, the Dragon can increase drying
efficiency.

Areas of a structure that can benefit from the addition of
heat for drying include: crawlspaces, basements, or
parts of a building where heat is not available.

Cold air actually impairs the evaporation of moisture
from materials. Warm air from the Dragon helps
airmovers and dehumidifiers evaporate more moisture
from materials and remove it from the structure. For
instance, raising the temperature of an area with the

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Dragon by just 10°F (from 60°F to 70°F) can increase
the evaporative potential of your existing drying system
up to 45 percent.

The specific target drying temperature will vary
according to the conditions of each drying job.
Determining, creating, and maintaining the optimum
drying conditions on a job—including temperature and
relative humidity—is your responsibility.

For best results when using the Dragon for drying,
you should understand the basic principles of
psychrometry—the science of drying. You should also
know how to use moisture detection instruments to track
the moisture content of a structure throughout the entire
drying process. You can learn these skills and more in
an IICRC-certified Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
course. To learn more about ASD courses, contact the
Dri-Eaz Education Department at 1-800-575-5152.

With this in mind, there are some general principles to
keep in mind when using the Dragon. You should try to
stabilize the temperature of the affected area near the
ideal operating temperature of your drying equipment.
Most dehumidifiers perform at their best between 70°F to
90°F. The added heat from the Dragon will increase the
rate of evaporation by decreasing the relative humidity of
the affected area. Be certain that your combination of
airmovers and dehumidifiers is powerful enough to keep
the relative humidity well below 60%RH to avoid
secondary damage to the structure and contents.

Parts Identification

Accessories Included

The Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace includes the following
parts and accessories:

Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace

1

Flue with cap

1

Remote thermostat

1

External fuel siphon

1

30-ft ducting (8-in diameter)*

2

Duct clamps

2

2-ft heat shields (10-in diameter)

2

*Replacement ducting can be obtained
from Grainger (Part #3XK06). For more
information, go to www.grainger.com

Rear Handle

A

Air Intake Grill

B

Flue

C

Ducting

D

Fuel line guard plate

E

Internal tank fuel lines

F

External fuel siphon holder

G

Wheels

H

Duct rings

I

Front handle/cord wrap

J

Flame Control Reset Button

K

Fuel pump/blower assembly housing

L

Power cord

M

FAN switch

N

HEAT switch

O

Thermostat jack

P

Temperature-Limiter Reset Button

Q

Internal fuel tank fill neck

R

Internal fuel tank drain plug

S

Air Intake vents

T

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OPERATING THE DRAGON

Breathing Hazard

Fuel exhaust contains deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Operate Dragon only outdoors in open area. NEVER
operate indoors or in enclosed spaces.

Electric Shock Hazard

Unit must be grounded. Use only with 3-hole grounded
outlet.

Never modify plug or use an adaptor. If an extension
cord is needed, it must have a three-prong grounding
plug, be rated for outdoor use and be rated for at least
506 watts or 4.4 amps @ 115 volts.

Never operate the Dragon in pooled or standing water. If
electrical components become wet, allow to dry before
using.

snow, etc. Blocking the air intake will cause the unit to
burn inefficiently resulting in sooty exhaust and potential
damage to the unit and the structure being heated.

Air Intake vents shown from underneath unit.

Fire and Explosion Hazard
Burner produces sparks and flame and unit becomes hot

during use.
Keep away from flammable vapors, such as those from

gasoline, paint thinner or solvents.
Keep away from combustible dusts, such as coal dust or

sawdust.
Keep unit at least ten feet away from any combustible

material.
Keep children and pets away.
Diesel fuel is flammable and can be explosive.
Do not smoke while operating, servicing, or refueling

the Dragon.
Before refueling, shut off unit, allow to cool and then

unplug.
Hot surfaces can ignite fuel vapors.

Setting up the Dragon

Choosing a location

Use the Dragon outdoors only. Place the unit on a level,
stable surface. Choose an inconspicuous location away
from high-traffic areas for children and/or pets. Ensure
there is no obstruction in the air intake during the use of
the Dragon.

NOTICE: Keep air intake vents under unit clean and
clear of any obstruction. Avoid setting up unit where the
intake could be blocked or restricted i.e. tall grass, deep

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Connecting the internal tank fuel lines

To connect the fuel lines, simply push the male and

female adapters together until the lock rings snap
into place. Note that the adapters are arranged so
that you will always connect the lines properly. You
must always connect both

fuel lines.

Connect the internal tank fuel lines

The Dragon is shipped with the fuel lines disconnected.
Before operating, make sure the fuel lines from the
internal tank are properly connected.

You may also operate the Dragon with an external fuel
tank (not included). See the section "Connecting an
external fuel tank" for more information.

Fill the internal fuel tank

The Dragon is shipped with an empty fuel tank. Before
operating, fill the internal tank with diesel #2 fuel oil
The internal tank has a 9.3-gallon capacity. Do not
overfill.

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only.

Attaching the flue to the Dragon

The Dragon is designed to operate with the flue attached
to the top of the unit. Always operate the Dragon with the
flue attached. In addition to preventing any water or
debris from falling into the heat exchanger, the flue
creates a slight draft on the Dragon exhaust that assists
in preventing thermal overload.

1. To attach the flue, slide it over the pipe on top of the
heat exchanger.

3. Drive a sheet metal screw (#8x1) through each hole
to secure the flue to the Dragon.

Attach the flue to the Dragon

2. Drill two 1/8-inch holes through the bottom of the
flue into the heat exchanger pipe. The holes should
be approximately 90 degrees apart.

Secure the flue to the Dragon with sheet metal screws

Attaching ducting to the Dragon

The Dragon delivers clean heat to a structure through
two 30-foot lengths of 8-inch diameter aluminum ducting.
You must attach both lengths of ducting to the Dragon
for operation.

1. Extend a 1-foot section of ducting and slide a hose
clamp over the end. Slip the ducting over one of the
Dragon outlet duct rings. Secure the ducting firmly to
the duct ring with the hose clamp. Make sure the
clamp is tight enough to hold the ducting in place
when you extend it to the structure.

Drill two 1/8-inch holes in the flue

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Clamp the ducting securely to the duct ring

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2. Slide one of the heat shields over the ducting until it
rests against the Dragon housing. This will provide
extra protection against burns from accidental
contact with hot surfaces near the duct rings.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the second length of
aluminum ducting. Always connect both lengths of
ducting from the Dragon to the affected area.

Connecting the remote thermostat

The thermostat monitors the temperature in the affected
area. It turns the Dragon on and off to maintain a preset
temperature in the affected area.

Always operate the Dragon with the remote thermostat
connected. The HEAT switch will not function and the
Dragon will not heat the air if the thermostat is not
connected.

Slide the heat shields in place

3. Grasp the free end of the ducting and pull until it
reaches the structure. Take care not to damage the
aluminum ducting, as this could restrict airflow
during operation and cause the unit to shut off from
thermal overload.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the other length of
ducting. Always connect both lengths of ducting from
the Dragon to the affected area.

Securing ducting to the structure

In most drying situations you will need to attach the end
of the ducting to an opening in the structure such as a
basement window or crawlspace vent hole. Since each
structure is unique, you will usually need to build an
adapter to fit the specific opening.

To build two adapters, you will need:

2 Plywood sheets
2 Duct adapters, 8-inch diameter
2 Hose clamps
1 Jigsaw

1. Cut a sheet of plywood to fit over the opening in the
structure.

2. Use a jigsaw or similar tool to cut an 8-inch diameter
hole in the center of the plywood.

3. Fit an 8-inch diameter duct adapter (available at
most hardware stores) into the hole in the plywood.
Secure the duct adapter to the plywood.

4. Slip a hose clamp (not included) over the free end of
one of the 30-foot lengths of 8-inch diameter
aluminum ducting. Slide the ducting over the adapter
and secure firmly with the hose clamp.

5. Secure the plywood to the structure.

The remote thermostat sensor cable, control box, cable, and jack

1. Run the thermostat’s 8-foot sensor cable into the
affected area. If necessary, drill a small hole in the
plywood adapter.

2. Position the tip of the sensor cable as far away as
possible from the Dragon process air—at least six
feet for best results.

Note: Only the tip of the sensor cable will read
temperature.

3. Place the thermostat control box where it will be
easy to monitor temperature setting. The control box
is weatherproof and may be left outside.

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4. Plug the thermostat into the jack on the Dragon. The
jack is located next to the HEAT and FAN switches.

Plug the thermostat into the jack on the Dragon

Note: The HEAT switch will not function and the
Dragon will not heat the air unless the thermostat is
plugged into the jack.

For more information about operating the remote
thermostat, see the section "Programming the
thermostat."

Establishing negative air pressure

Always create a negative air pressure in the affected
area when using the Dragon. An area has negative air
pressure when the air pressure inside is lower than
outside. This helps prevent odors and contaminants from
spreading to unaffected areas through cracks, crevices,
and openings in the structure walls.

On average, the Dragon will force in about 800 CFM. As
long as you remove more than 800 CFM through an
exhaust opening, more air will flow out
area than will flow in from the Dragon. This differential
creates the negative air pressure in the affected area—a
slight vacuum effect—so that any contaminants and
odors are exhausted harmlessly outdoors instead of
being forced into other areas of the structure.

1. First close or block any large openings between the
affected area and other parts of the structure.

2. Select an opening between the affected area and
the outdoors to use as an exhaust, preferably on a
side opposite the Dragon process air. A window or
crawlspace vent hole will do.

3. Place a TurboDryer, Vortex Axial Fan, or other
airmover so that it forces air out
to the outdoors
airmover should remove at least 800 CFM from the
affected area.

through the selected opening. The

of the affected

of the affected area

Starting the Dragon

Inspecting before operation

Warning! Before starting the Dragon:

 Check for any fuel leaks around the fuel tank or fuel
lines.

 Check for nearby hazards like combustible materials
or flammable vapor sources.

 Check the power cord for damage.
Correct these and any other safety hazards before

starting the Dragon.

Starting the Dragon

1. Check the fuel tank. If needed, add #2 diesel fuel to
the fuel tank. Do not overfill. WARNING! Turn off
power and allow unit to cool before refueling.

2. With the ducting secured, the thermostat in place,
and negative air pressure established, plug the
Dragon’s power cord into a nearby outlet.

3. Turn the HEAT switch to on. This provides power to
the thermostat. The thermostat will only function
when the HEAT switch is on.

4. While the Dragon’s heat exchanger is warming up,
set the desired temperature on the thermostat
control box. See the next section, "Programming the
thermostat," for more information.

5. Monitor the settings on the Dragon and conditions in
the structure at least twice daily during operation.

Programming the thermostat

The remote thermostat controls the operation of the
Dragon. Based on the settings you program, the Dragon
will cycle on and off to maintain a predetermined
temperature in the affected area. It can be programmed
in either degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius.

1. When the Dragon is plugged in and the HEAT
switch is first turned on, the thermostat will display
the ambient temperature.

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Before programming, the thermostat shows the current ambient temperature

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