Essick 697 500, 696 400, 427 300 Care & Use Manual

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

EVAPORATIVE

HUMIDIFIER

OWNER’S
CARE
&
USE
MANUAL

MODELS:

427 300 OAK BURL 2 SPD
696 400 LT OAK VARIABLE SPD
697 500 CHERRY VARIABLE SPD

• Automatic Humidistat

• Automatic Shutoff

• Quiet Setting for Nighttime use

• Easy to clean, removable power pack

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

RECYCLE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS

Patents: 5,037,583; 5,110,511; 5,133,904

Other Patents Pending

To order parts and accessories call

1-800-547-3888

696 400
697 500 427 300

French and Spanish
Instructions included.

Se incluyen instrucciones
En Español y Francés.

Directives en Français et en
espagnol compris

1B71817 4/09

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

READ BEFORE USING YOUR HUMIDIFIER

1. This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of
electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized 120-volt AC, 15 amp outlet, and only
one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit,
contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat this safety feature. If an extension
cord must be used, it should also accept the wide blade plug and meet this electrical rating.

2. Do not place the cord under rugs, near loose draperies, in traffic areas, nor near heat sources
or combustible materials.

3. Do not use the humidifier if the cord is damaged.

4. Always unplug the power cord before filling, cleaning, servicing, or when the unit is
not in use.

5. This humidifier is ETL listed with Essick Air brand evaporative wicks in place.

6. It is very important that cleaning solutions such as bleach, anti-bacteria treatment or descaler,
which could be used to clean the cabinet, are not sprayed or applied to the chassis assembly.
These solutions can cause serious electrical malfunction of the humidifier.

INTRODUCTION

Your Essick Air evaporative humidifier adds invisible moisture to your home by moving dry inlet air
through a saturated wick. As air moves through the wick, the water evaporates into the air,
leaving behind any white dust, minerals, or dissolved and suspended solids. Because the water
is evaporated, there is no messy mist or spray, just clean and invisible moist air.

As the evaporative wick traps accumulated minerals from the water, its ability to absorb and
evaporate water decreases. We recommend changing the wick at the beginning of every season.
In hard water areas, more frequent replacement may be necessary to maintain your humidifier’s
efficiency.

Use only Essick Air brand replacement wicks and chemicals. To order parts, wicks and chemicals
call 1-800-547-3888. The 400 and 600 Series humidifiers use Essick Air wick # 1041 and
accommodate air filter #1051. Only the Essick Air evaporative wick guarantees the certified output
of your humidifier. Use of wicks other than Essick Air brand will void your warranty as well as the
certification of output and may reduce the efficiency of your humidifier.

CAUTION: Do NOT position the unit directly in front of a hot air duct or radiator. Do NOT
place on soft carpet.

HOW YOUR HUMIDIFIER WORKS

Dry air is drawn into the
humidifier though the
back and moisturized
as it passes through the
evaporative wick. It is
then fanned out into the
room.

LEGEND:

1. Water bottle

2. Chassis/power pack
(motor/fan assembly)

3. Evaporative wick

4. Water reservoir

5. Dry room air intake

6. Moist air output

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ASSEMBLY

1041 WICK

UNPACKING AND SETTING UP THE UNIT

1. Remove the two inserts from the top of the humidifier.

2. Lift off the water bottle covers. Remove the water bottles, lift off the chassis/power pack and
then remove the humidifier cabinet from the carton.

3. Remove the evaporative wick and all of the remaining packaging materials from the cabinet.
Check to see that you have all of the following items removed from the boxes, accessory kit,
and cabinet before discarding the packaging:

♦ Filler Hose ♦ Evaporative Wick
♦ Caster kit ♦ Two end covers
♦ Bacterial treatment sample ♦ Optional Air Care ® filter (included on 697 and
♦ Two Water Bottles

CASTERS

4. Turn the emptied cabinet upside down. Insert each caster stem into a caster hole on each
corner of the humidifier bottom. The casters should fit snugly and be inserted until the stem
shoulder reaches the cabinet surface.

5. Turn the cabinet right side up.

EVAPORATIVE WICK

6. Insert the 1041 wick into the unit. The wick has a mounting
rib on the top edge which hooks over a rib at the inside back
of the cabinet. This allows the wick to hang in the water
channel (see cutaway illustration for details). Hang wick into
cabinet as shown.

OPTIONAL AIR CLEANING FILTER
(included on 427 and 697 models; sold separately on 696)

7. If available, install the 1051 AirCare® filter at the back of the
unit. The filter has tangs that engage into four keyhole slots
that mount the AirCare® filter onto the outside of the back of the cabinet.

427 models; sold separately on 696 model

1041 WICK

FILLING INFORMATION

8. Your humidifier is equipped with two water bottles. On the 696 and 697 models each bottle
holds 2.6 gallons. The 427 model bottles hold 2.75 gallons each.

9. A fill hose that fits most faucets is provided with your humidifier. Fill the bottles with cool, fresh
(preferably unsoftened) water. If you only have softened water available in your home, you
can use it, but mineral buildup will occur more quickly.

NOTE: For optimum running time, fill each water bottle, tighten the cap, and place inside unit. Do
not fill the reservoir bucket, as overfilling will result in water damage. Use only the bottles provided.
One bottle will drain until the reservoir is filled. Remove the partially emptied bottle and refill it.
Place back in humidifier cabinet.

CAUTION: When filling, be careful not to pressurize the bottle by overfilling it. Bottle damage can
result from this, and will not drain properly.

NOTE: On initial fill up, it will take approximately 20 minutes for the reservoir to fill because the dry
wick has to absorb water. Subsequent fillings will take approximately 12 minutes, since the wick is
already saturated.

10. After the filling process is complete, insert the water bottles into the humidifier, placing them
with the valve cap end down, so that the groove in the water bottle faces the inside.

11. After filling, replace the water bottle cover and place the chassis/power pack unit into the
cabinet, so it fits without tipping or rocking.

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CONTROLS AND OPERATION

1. Plug cord into wall receptacle. Your humidifier is now ready for
use. The humidifier should not be near any heat registers.
Place the unit at least FOUR inches away from any walls.
Unrestricted airflow into the unit will result in the best efficiency
and performance.

2. Access the control panel by opening the panel door (427
Model). Depending on which model, you may have a choice of
2 speed or variable fan speed allowing you to use the low
setting for the quietest operation or a high setting for maximum
output.

NOTE: When excessive condensation exists, a lower speed setting
is recommended.

NOTE: Each model has an automatic humidistat. The humidistat will
turn the humidifier on when the relative humidity in your home is
below the humid- stat setting and will turn the humidifier off when the
relative humidity reaches the humidistat setting.

3. For initial operation, set the humidistat at its midpoint “comfort
zone” setting and adjust up or down from there to achieve the
desired humidity level. Turning the Humidity Control knob all the way counterclockwise will
turn the unit off regardless of the relative humidity. This must be turned on again before the
unit will work.

4. One bottle is designed to empty first. The refill light will indicate when the respective bottle is
out of water. When the unit is completely out of water, the motor will shut off.

OPTIONAL AIRCARE® FILTER

The optional Aircare® filter is a excellent means of cleaning the air while using your humidifier. The
first stage of the air filter is a high-efficiency, electrostatically charged filter media which traps dust,
pollen, and airborne pollutants. The second stage is an activated carbon media which absorbs
odors from cooking, pets, or tobacco smoke.

We recommend replacing the AirCare® filter at least once a year and more often if necessary.
When the white filter media is coated with a layer of dust and dirt, it is time to replace the
AirCare® filter. The certified water output of your humidifier will be reduced when using the
AirCare® filter. AirCare® filters are optional and are not required for normal operation of the
humidifier. AirCare® is registered trademark of Essick Air Products.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Cleaning your humidifier regularly helps eliminate odors and bacterial and fungal growth.
Ordinary household bleach is a good disinfectant and can be used to wipe out the humidifier base
and bottle/reservoir after cleaning. We recommend cleaning your humidifier at least once every
two weeks to maintain optimum environmental conditions for your home.

We also recommend using Essick Air Bacteriostat Treatment each time you refill your humidifier to
eliminate bacterial growth. Add bacteriostat according to the instructions on the bottle. Please
call 1-800-547-3888 to order Bacteriostat Treatment reference part number 1970.

1. Turn off unit completely counterclockwise and unplug from outlet.

2. Lift out the water bottle and the power pack.

3. Carry bottle and base to cleaning basin. Lift wick from the base allowing the water to
drain. Rinse wick under fresh water only. Do not use soap, detergent, or any other
cleaners on the wick. Leave in sink to drain.

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REMOVING SCALE

4. Empty the water from the reservoir and water bottle. Fill reservoir and each water bottle ½ full
with water and add 8 oz. (1 cup) of white vinegar to each. Let stand 20 minutes. Then empty
solution.

5. Dampen a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe out reservoir to remove scale. Rinse the water
bottle and reservoir thoroughly with fresh water to remove scale and cleaning solution before
disinfecting.

DISINFECTING UNIT

6. Fill each water bottle and reservoir ½ full with water and add 1 teaspoon of bleach to each. Wipe
cabinet and bottle surfaces with this solution. Let solution stay for 20 minutes, then rinse with
water until bleach smell is gone. Dry with clean cloth. The outside of the unit and water bottle
may be wiped down with a soft cloth dampened with fresh water.

7. Refill unit and re-assemble per ASSEMBLY instructions.

SUMMER STORAGE

1. Clean unit as outlined in Care & Maintenance section.

2. Discard used wick and any water in the reservoir or bottle and allow to dry thoroughly before
storage. Do not store with water inside reservoir or bottle.

3. Do not store unit in an attic or other high-temperature area.

4. Install new filter at beginning of season.

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SALES RECEIPT REQUIRED AS PROOF OF PURCHASE

This product is warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for one year
from the date of sale except for motors, which are warranted for two years. This
warranty does not apply to filters or wicks which are customer-replaceable parts.
This warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the product when it is purchased
from a reputable retailer/dealer.

This warranty does not apply to damage from accident, misuse, alterations,
unauthorized repairs, unauthorized use, mishandling, unreasonable use, abuse,
including failure to perform reasonable maintenance, normal wear and tear, nor where
the connected voltage is more than 5% above the nameplate voltage, nor to the
equipment or products being improperly installed or wired or maintained in violation of
this Owner’s Manual.

Alterations include the substitution of name brand components including, but not limited
to wicks and bacteria treatment.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. THIS IS THE SOLE
AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY GIVEN BY MANUFACTURER WITH RESPECT TO
THE PRODUCTS AND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IS IN
LIEU OF AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW OR OTHERWISE,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

No employee, agent, dealer or other person is authorized to give any warranties or
conditions on behalf of the manufacturer. The customer shall be responsible for all
costs incurred in the removal or reinstallation and shipping of the product for repairs.

Within the limitations of this warranty, purchaser with inoperative units should
contact customer service @ 800-547-3888 for paperwork and instructions on the
return of the unit for repair. A copy of the sales receipt is required before

authorization to return a unit for repair is approved. The manufacturer will repair or
replace the product, at its discretion, with return freight paid by the manufacturer. It is
agreed that such repair or replacement is the exclusive remedy available from the
manufacturer and that TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE
MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND,
INCLUDING INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OR LOSS OF PROFITS
OR REVENUES.

This warranty will be null & void if purchaser attempts to repair or replace any
parts which are mechanical or electrical.

The warranty gives the customer specific legal rights, and the customer may also have
other rights which vary from province to province, or state to state.

ESSICK AIR PRODUCTS

HUMIDIFIER WARRANTY POLICY

EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2008

FOR ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS.

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