Harbor Freight Tools 90553 Operating Instructions Manual

House/Room Heater

®

90553

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011

Visit our Web site at: http://www.harborfreight.com

Copyright© 2003 by Harbor F reight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this

manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form

without the express written consent of Harbor F reight Tools .

For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

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SAVE THIS MANUAL

Y ou will need this man ual for the safety warnings and precautions, operation,
inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, and the parts list and assembly
diagram. K eep y our in v oice with this manual. Write the inv oice number on the
inside of the front cover. Keep this manual and in voice in a safe and dry place for
future reference.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING!

READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in

electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury .

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

When using electrical appliances, basic precautions should always be followed to reduce
the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:

1. Read all instructions before using this heater.

2. This Heater is hot when in use. To avoid burns, do not let bare skin touch
hot surfaces. Use the handle when moving this heater. Keep combustib le
materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, and curtains
at least 3 ft. (1 m) from the front of the heater and keep them away from the
sides and rear.

3. Extreme caution is necessary when any heater is used by or near children
or invalids and whenever the heater is left operating and unattended.

4. Always unplug the heater when not in use.

5. Do not operate any heater with a damaged cord or plug or after the heater
malfunctions, has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Return the

SKU 90553 PAGE 2

REV 04/04

heater to an authorized service facility for examination, electrical or
mechanical adjustment, or repair.

6. Do not use outdoors.

7. This heater is not intended for use in bathrooms, laundry areas, and similar
indoor locations. Never locate heater where it may fall into a bathtub or
other water container .

8. Do not run cord under carpeting. Do not cover cord with throw rugs, runners,
or similar coverings. Arrange cord away from traffic area and where it will
not be tripped over .

9. To disconnect heater, turn controls to “OFF”, then remov e plug from outlet.

10. Connect to properly grounded outlets only.

11. Do not insert or allow foreign objects to enter any ventilation or exhaust
opening as this may cause an electric shock or fire, or damage to the heater .

12. To prevent possib le fire , do not b lock air intakes or exhaust in any manner .
Do not use on soft surfaces, like a bed, where openings may be blocked.

13. A heater has hot and arcing or sparking parts inside. Do not use it in areas
where gasoline, paint, or flammable liquids are used or stored.

14. Use this heater only as described in this manual. Any other use not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause fire, electric shock, or injury
to persons.

15. Avoid the use of an e xtension cord because the extension cord may o verheat
and cause a risk of fire. Howe ver, if you have to use an e xtension cord, the
cord shall be No. 16 AWG minimum size and no less than 1125 watts.

16. “SA VE THESE INSTRUCTIONS”

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

1. Grounded items must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and

grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the
grounding prong or modify the plug in an y way . Do not use any adapter plugs.
Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down,

grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity awa y from the user.

2. Double insulated items are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider

than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet 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 to install a polarized outlet. Do not change the plug in any
way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded power

cord and grounded power supply system.

3. Do not expose power items to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power
item will increase the risk of electric shock.

4. Do not abuse the Power Cor d. Never use the Power Cord to carry the item or

pull the Plug from an outlet. K eep the Power Cord away fr om heat, oil, sharp

SKU 90553 PAGE 3

edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged Power Cor ds immediately . Damaged
Power Cords increase the risk of electric shock.

5. Do not run the Power Cord or e xtension cord under rugs or carpeting. Do not

run cords in traffic areas where they ma y be tripped over.

6. When operating a power item outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked
“W-A” or “W”. These extension cords are rated for outdoor use , and reduce the risk

of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

7. WARNING! This item is HOT when in use. Avoid contact with this item when in
use. Keep it awa y from combustible materials, such as walls, curtains, pillows, etc.
when in use. When in use keep out of reach of children and pets. Never leave this
item unattended when in use. Severe injury or fire may result from improper use.

8. Never operate this heater if the cord is damaged, or if the item malfunctions, or

has been damaged or broken. Severe injury or property damage may result.

Return damaged items to Harbor Freight T ools , or a qualified repair person for repair
or replacement.

9. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the P ower Switch is off before plugging in.
Plugging in power items with the P ow er Switch on invites accidents . Alw a ys unplug
this item when not in use.

10. Do not use this heater outdoors, or in moist locations such as a bathroom,
laundry room, etc. This heater is not designed to be used in moist environments.
Personal injury or property damage may result from use in such locations.

11. Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the item. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the item accidentally.

12. Store powered items out of reach of children and other untrained persons.
Powered items are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

SERVICE

13. Repair service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service
or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.

14. When servicing an item, use only identical replacement parts. Follow

instructions in the
manual. Use of unauthor ized parts or failure to follow maintenance instr uctions

may create a risk of electric shock or injury .

15. Handle with Care. Do not move this item when in use. The heater core is fragile,
especially when hot.

“Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning”

section of this

ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES

16. Maintain labels and nameplates on the room heater. These carr y important
information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight T ools f or a replacement.

SKU 90553 PAGE 4

17. Maintain a safe environment. K eep the area well lit. Make sure there is adequate
space surrounding the heater. Always keep the usage area free of obstructions,
grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use a powered item in areas near
flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a damp or wet
location.

18. Always keep the extension cord away from heated parts of the heater.

19. Never leave the heater unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet.
Turn off the heater, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.

20. Always unplug the heater from its electrical outlet and allow it to cool for at

least 10 minutes, before performing inspection, maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.

21. This heater draws 8 Amps when working. To avoid overloading, do not use
other appliances on the same circuit when this heater is working.

22. Do not insert or allow foreign objects to enter any grill or ventilation opening
on this heater . To do so ma y cause fire, electrical shoc k, or damage the unit.

23. WARNING! P eople with pacemakers should consult their ph ysician(s) before using
this product. Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a heart
pacemaker could cause interference or failure of the pacemaker.

GROUNDING

WARNING!

Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric

shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the

outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with

the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the

tool if the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by

a service facility before use. If the plug will not fit the outlet, have a proper

outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

GROUNDED T OOLS: TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS

1. Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong
grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If
the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low
resistance path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of elec­tric shock. (See Figure A, next page.)

2. The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the
cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the

SKU 90553 PAGE 5

only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached
to an electrically “live” terminal. (See Figure A.)

3. Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet
should look like those in the following illustration. (See Figure A.)

FIGURE A

DOUBLE INSULATED ITEMS: ITEMS WITH TWO PRONG PLUGS

4. Items marked “Double Insulated” do not require grounding. They have a special
double insulation system which satisfies OSHA requirements and complies with
the applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian
Standard Association, and the National Electrical Code. (See Figure B.)

5. Double insulated items may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the
following illustration. (See Figure B.)

SKU 90553 PAGE 6

FIGURE B

EXTENSION CORDS

(

)

1.

Grounded

items require a three wire extension cord.

Double Insulated

items

can use either a two or three wire extension cord.

2. As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge
extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a
serious drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible item damage.

(See Figure C, next page.)

3. The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the cord.
For example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a higher current than a 16 gauge cord.

(See Figure C.)

4. When using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make
sure each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required.

(See Figure C.)

5. If you are using one extension cord for more than one item, add the nameplate
amperes and use the sum to determine the required minimum cord size.

(See Figure C.)

6. If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the suffix
“W-A” (“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.

7. Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualified
electrician before using it.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS*

(120 VOLT)

NAMEPLATE

AMPERES

At Full Load

25

Feet

0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16

2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14

3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12

5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12

7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -

12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -

16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - ­* Based on limiting the line voltage drop

FIGURE C

to five volts at 150% of the rated amperes.

EXTENSION CORD LENGTH

50

Feet

75

Feet

100

Feet

150

Feet

SKU 90553 PAGE 7

8. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat, and damp or wet
areas.

SYMBOLOGY

Double Insulated
Canadian Standards

Association
Underwriters

Laboratories, Inc.

V ~

A

n

o

xxxx/min.

Volts Alternating Current

Amperes

No Load Revolutions
per Minute (RPM)

SAFETY FEATURES

This heater is equipped with several safety features for your protection.

1. Tip Over Switch (9): A gravity-operated switch will cut off the electrical supply to
this heater in the ev ent the heater is tipped ov er.

2. Temperature Control. This heater is equipped with a ther mostatically controlled
cutoff switch. If the unit should overheat, a circuit-breaker will cut off the electrical
supply, shutting down the unit. You may restart the heater by turning the unit OFF,
allow to cool for at least 10 minutes , pressing the “RESET” b utton on the Top Cov er
(2) of the unit, then turning the unit back ON.

3. Thermal Cutoff. In the event the unit overheats , and the Temperature Control does
not operate as intended, the Thermal Cutoff (4) will blow, causing the unit to shut
down. In this event, your heater must be taken in for repair to replace the Thermal
Cutoff unit.

POWER KNOB

SKU 90553 PAGE 8

Operation of this heater is controlled using the P ower
Knob (1).

1) Rotate the knob to “OFF” to turn off the unit.

2) Rotate the knob to “HI” to turn on the unit.

3) Rotate the knob to “Oscillate” to cause the unit to
rotate back and f orth.

4) In the event the unit overheats, the “RESET” but­ton will pop up. Press this button straight down to re­set the heater temperature control safety feature.

UNPACKING

When unpacking, check to make sure the Heater and Power Cord are undamaged. If any parts are missing or
broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number shown on the cover of this man ual as soon as possible.

OPERA TING INSTRUCTIONS

No assembly is required for this heater.

Please observe the safety precautions presented in this booklet for your saf ety .

1.

2. Place the heater on a firm, level surface free from obstructions, and at least 3 feet away from any

3. With the Power Knob (1) set in the OFF position, plug the heater into a grounded 120V outlet. Turn

4. When not in use; turn off the unit, allow it to cool completely, and unplug the unit from the electrical

1. WARNING! Mak e sure the Power Knob (1) of the heater is in its “OFF” position, that the item is

2. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general condition of the heater . Check for loose scre ws, mis-

CAUTION: Always make sure the Power Cord (10) of the heater is unplugged from its electrical
outlet

prior

to making any adjustments to the heater.

wall or combustible material. DO NOT use on an unstable surface such as bedding or deep carpet­ing. K eep the heater a way from tr affic areas, where it may be tripped on or knock ed over .

the Power Knob (1) to HI to start the unit. If desired, turn the Power Knob (1) to “Oscillate” to
engage side-to-side oscillation while the heater is on.

outlet.

INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING

unplugged from its electrical outlet, and has cooled for at least 10 minutes, before performing any
inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures. Clean using only a dry , clean cloth. Ne ver use
any water , wax, polish or chemical cleaners .

alignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, and any
other condition that may affect its safe operation. If abnormal noise or vibration occurs, have the
problem corrected before further use.

Do not use damaged equipment.

3. Do not attempt to disassemble this heater. It is not designed to be disassembled.

If your heater shuts off unexpectedly, or fails to operate,

one of the safety features may have been activated.

1. If you find an obstruction in the grill or vents, with the heater turned OFF and unplugged, carefully
remove it.

2. If the heater won’t start, check to be sure it is plugged in, and the plug has power.

3. Press the Reset Button. If it goes in, the heater should restart.

4. If the Reset Button is in, the plug has power , there is no observable damage, and the heater still
won’t operate, it is likely that the Thermal Cutoff (4) unit has blown. Please contact Harbor Freight
T ools at the phone n umber on the front of this manual for repair instructions.

SKU 90553 PAGE 9

TROUBLESHOOTING

NOTE: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only , and are not a vail-

able individually as replacement parts.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

THE MANUF ACTURER AND/OR DISTRIB UT OR HAS PR O VIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY
DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUF ACTURER OR
DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTA TION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND T O THE BUYER THA T
HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIED TO REPLA CE ANY P A RTS OF THE PRODUCT . IN F A CT , THE MANUF A CTURER AND/OR
DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY ST ATES THA T ALL REPAIRS AND P AR TS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE
UNDERT AKEN BY CER TIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NO T BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER
ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL
PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO , OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INST ALLATION
OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERET O .

SKU 90553 PAGE 10