WhisperKool GSM-01, 81310 User Manual
SPLIT SYSTEM
OWNER’S MANUAL
To be used wiTh your sysTem’s
uNiT specific iNsTallaTioN Guide
The Coolest Thing In Wine Storage
Copyright © 2010. WhisperKOOL. All rights reserved.
This manual, the product design, and the design concepts are copyrighted by WhisperKOOL, with all rights reserved. Your rights
with regard to the hardware and manual are subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed by the copyright laws of the
United States of America. Under copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, reproduced, translated, transmitted, or reduced
to any printed or electronic medium or to any machine-readable form, for any purpose, in whole or in part, without the written
consent of WhisperKOOL.
Every eort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. WhisperKOOL is not responsible for printing
or clerical errors.
WhisperKOOL reserves the right to make corrections or improvements to the information provided and to the related hardware at
any time, without notice.
Vinothèque and WhisperKOOL are registered trademarks, and ECE is a trademark of Vinothèque Wine Cellars. All rights reserved.
Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. WhisperKOOL assumes no liability with regard to the performance or use of these products.
Rev. 081310
Page 2 GSM-01 081310
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................................................
Receiving & Inspecting The Unit.................................................................................
Preparing the Wine Cellar ...................................................................................... 7
Installation ................................................................................................................... 7
Remote Keypad ...............................................................................................................
Ducted Installation ................................................................................................
Liquid Measuring Thermometer ...............................................................................
System Operation ......................................................................................................
Control Panel Operation ...............................................................................................
Maintenance Schedule .................................................................................................
Troubleshooting Guide .................................................................................................
Wiring Diagrams .............................................................................................................
Technical Assistance .........................................................................................................
2
3
4
6
9
10
11
12
13
16
17
22
26
Installation Terms and Conditions .............................................................................
27
Page 1
INTRODUCTION
Customer Service
Thank you for purchasing a WhisperKOOL split system. We strive to provide the highest quality products
and the best possible customer service. If you have any questions about your WhisperKOOL unit, please call
us at 1(800) 343-9463 or visit www.whisperkool.com.
Using this Manual
This Owner’s Manual is intended to be a general WhisperKOOL split system installation and maintenance
guide. Please use the supplied unit specic installation guide in conjunction with this manual. In order to
ensure the longevity of your cooling system, the equipment should be installed properly and have a proper
care and maintenance schedule. Please read and review this manual carefully and keep it for future reference.
What is a WhisperKOOL Split System?
Specialized refrigeration systems designed for one purpose only: to maintain the optimal temperature and
humidity levels conducive to the proper storage and aging of ne wines. Split systems produce minimal
in-cellar noise and have the most lenient exhaust requirements. An exterior housing is required for outdoor
condensing unit installations.
How Does a WhisperKOOL Split System Work?
Similar to the air conditioning systems used for homes, the evaporator and condensing units are installed
in separate locations and are connected by a line set. The evaporator portion is commonly installed in the
wine cellar, with the condensing unit located either outside or in a remote indoor location.
Page 2 GSM-01 081310
RECEIVING & INSPECTING THE UNIT
Customer Warranty Registration
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE WARRANTY CARD UPON RECEIPT OF THE UNIT.
By completing the Product Registration Card, you will be conrmed in our customer database ensuring that
your information is on le to help you obtain ecient warranty service. Please refer to page 25 for complete
terms and conditions, warranty guidelines, and policy for your WhisperKOOL split system.
Note: WhisperKOOL split systems are manufactured in the USA and tested prior to shipment.
Receiving and Inspecting the System
• Lift only at the designated hand hold locations on the shipping container or fully support the unit
from underneath. A shipment may include one or more boxes containing accessories.
• Before opening the container, inspect the packaging for any obvious signs of damage or mishandling.
• Record any discrepancy or visual damage on the Bill of Lading before signing.
Review the Packing Slip to Verify Contents
• Check the model number to ensure it is correct.
• Check that all factory options ordered are listed.
If any items listed on the packing slip do not match your order information, contact WhisperKOOL Customer
Service immediately at 1-800-343-9463.
Check your shipment for the following contents:
• Evaporator Unit
• Condensing Unit
• Unit Specic Installation Guide
• Registration / Warranty Card
• Sight Glass
• Filter Drier
• Accessory Kit
• Mounting Hardware
Note: Refer to the Unit Specic Installation Guide (USIG) for a detailed packing list for your specic split
system order.
Please leave the WhisperKOOL system in its original boxes until you are ready for installation. This will allow
you to move the product safely without damaging it. WhisperKOOL highly recommends that you save your
boxes and all packaging materials. They provide the only safe means of transporting/shipping the system.
When you are ready to remove the product from the boxes, refer to page 6 for installation instructions.
Page 3
PREPARING THE WINE CELLAR
The performance and life of your WhisperKOOL system are contingent upon the steps you take in preparing
the wine cellar.
Note: Improperly preparing your enclosure or incorrectly installing your WhisperKOOL system may cause
unit failure, leaking of condensation, and other negative side eects.
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU OBTAIN THE ASSISTANCE OF A
WINE STORAGE PROFESSIONAL.
Wine storage professionals work with licensed contractors, refrigeration technicians, and racking companies
to build well-insulated, beautiful, and protective wine cellars. WhisperKOOL has put together some useful
tips to assist in the installation process. Our recommendations are meant to act as a guide in the process of
building a proper enclosure. Your intended location may have specic needs that we do not address.
Wall & Ceiling Framing
Build wine cellar walls using standard 2x4 or 2x6 construction methods and ceiling joists following the
guidelines of local and state codes in your area. As a general rule, the thicker the walls and the higher the
insulation factor in your cellar, the better it will be at maintaining a consistent temperature.
Insulation
Insulation is REQUIRED with the use of the WhisperKOOL product. Standard berglass or rigid foam insulation is normally used in cellar construction or, in some cases, “blown-in” insulation is used. It is very important that all walls and ceilings are insulated to keep the cellar temperature as consistent as possible during
the summer and winter months. The R-factor, or quality of insulation, is determined by the rate at which
heat passes through the insulation. The higher the R-factor, the more resistant the insulation is to conducting heat. Using higher R-values in insulation will lower your operating costs and unit run time.
Vapor Barrier
Vapor barrier is REQUIRED to prevent the intrusion of water vapor so that the cellar can be kept at the correct temperature and humidity. 6 mm plastic sheeting (recommended) should be applied to the warm side
of the cellar walls. The vapor barrier must also be applied to the outside walls and ceiling. If it is impossible
to reach the outside, then the plastic must be applied from within the cellar. The most common method is
to wrap the entire interior, leaving the plastic loose in the stud cavity so the insulation can be placed between each stud. All of the walls and ceiling must be wrapped in plastic for a complete vapor barrier.
In areas of high humidity, such as Southern and Gulf States, the vapor barrier will prevent inltration of
warm moist air. The moist air can cause mold to form, and standing water in drain pans promote microbial
and fungal growth that cause unpleasant odors and indoor air quality problems. If mold is found, remove it
immediately and sanitize that portion of the system.
Door and Door Seal
An exterior grade (1 3/4”) door must be installed as a cellar door. It is very important that weather stripping
is attached to all 4 sides of the doorjamb. A bottom “sweep” or threshold is also required. The door must have
a very good seal to keep the cool cellar air from escaping out of the cellar. One of the most common problems with cooling units running continually is the door not sealing properly. In cases where glass doors are
used and the room size is close to the recommended unit size, the next larger size WhisperKOOL should be
used. This will compensate for the insulation loss due to the inecient door.
Page 4 GSM-01 081310
Unobstructed Airow
Unobstructed airow to and from both the evaporator and condenser is a critical factor in the system’s overall performance. Make sure there is a 3 ft. horizontal clearance in the front of both units. This will assure that
the air can circulate in an ecient manner. Avoid any attempt to camouage the evaporator by installing
racking in front of the unit. This will restrict the airow and reduce system performance.
In-Cellar Mounting
If you are mounting your evaporator in the cellar, it should be mounted within 18“ of the top of the room in
order to achieve sucient cooling. As the room cools down, the warm air will rise to the ceiling. Mounting
the evaporator high in the room will create a consistently cool environment by capturing the warm air and
replacing it with cool air. Mounting the evaporator low in the room will result in a temperature variation in
the room due to the unit’s inability to draw warm air from the ceiling of the cellar to the unit itself.
Ducting
Some systems are designed to have the air exchange happen out of the cellar using duct work. This allows
the evaporator unit to placed in a variety of positions around the cellar and in some models up to 25 duct
feet away. The return air (from cellar to unit) needs to be located low in the cellar with the supply air (from
unit to cellar) should be located high in the cellar. This greatly increases the eciency of the cooling system
by allowing the cold air travel throughout the entire cellar space and absorb as much heat as possible.
How to Build a Wine Cellar Instructional Video
WhisperKOOL has a construction tutorial available on line at www.whisperkool.com, or you can call 1-800-
343-9463 and contact our Customer Service (ext. 799) or Sales Department (ext. 751) for information on
how to obtain a DVD version. This tutorial will walk you through the steps of constructing a properly built
wine cellar and the installation of our WhisperKOOL product line.
Page 5
SPLIT SYSTEM INSTALLATION
General Installation Guidelines and Instructions
WhisperKOOL requires that a certied HVAC technician install and charge all split systems. Please take a
moment to review state and city building codes to ensure the safe and proper installation of the system.
Electrical Needs
WhisperKOOL split systems requires a dedicated 110-volt 20-amp circuit. The system draws a large amount
of amps at initial start up. By designating a dedicated circuit breaker, you will guarantee that the system has
enough power to run eectively. Contact an electrician for assistance with the installation of this dedicated
electrical circuit:
1. Match the electrical outlet to the plug provided on the WhisperKOOL unit.
2. Provide a dedicated circuit and wiring for the unit.
3. Provide a weatherproof plug for units mounted outside.
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE A GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER (GFI) WITH THIS PRODUCT.
In case the system should lose power, press the reset button and attempt to turn the unit back on. Check
the home/main circuit breaker. If the unit does not respond properly, refer to the Troubleshooting section
on
page 17.
Condensing Unit Preparation
Note: The condensing unit is shipped with a protective foam pad/ block to prevent damaging tubing
against the condenser coil ns. Please ensure that this pad is removed prior to operation.
*A Low Ambient Control is used on most models,
a Fan Cycling Switch is used otherwise.
Page 6 GSM-01 081310
Installing the Condensing Unit
The condensing unit can be mounted inside a utility area of the home or outside utilizing the required
outdoor condensing unit housing. The condenser requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit, non-GFI. Make sure
there is a minimum three-foot horizontal clearance in front and rear of the unit. The unit may either be hard
wired or plug-in depending on local electrical codes.
Inside Condensing Unit Installations: Inside installations require special consideration, as there
must be adequate ventilation to dissipate the heat created during normal operations. An exhaust
port with fan may need to be installed to ensure that heat is eectively removed from the utility
room. A return grille or provision for 500 - 600 cfm of cool air to enter the room to replace the exhausted air will accomplish this. Unobstructed airow to and from the unit is a critical factor in the
unit’s overall performance. Make sure there is a minimum three-foot horizontal clearance in front
and rear of the unit. This will assure that the unit can move the air around the room in an ecient
manner.
Outdoor Condensing Unit Installations. You must utilize the exterior condensing unit housing for
outdoor installations. Place the condensing unit on a solid foundation in a location with adequate
ventilation. There should be three feet of clearance in the front and rear of the unit and one foot on
each side. The unit should be elevated 18 inches in order to avoid any possible ooding or damage
by animals, and should be clear of leaves, dirt, and other debris.
Page 7
SPLIT SYSTEM INSTALLATION (cont’d)
Installing the Evaporator Unit
Please refer to the supplied Unit Specic Installation Guide
for detailed evaporator installation guidelines.
Head Pressure Control, Low Ambient Control Switch, Fan Cycling Switch:
These switches are used to cycle the condenser fan at low ambient temperature conditions. If your unit is
equipped with a Low Ambient Control, set the switch to 170 psig for cut-in and 70 psig for the dierential.
Further adjustment may be needed. Verify the settings via refrigeration manifold gauge and perform the
nal adjustments to the readings on the gauge manifold. If your condensing unit is not equipped with a Low
Ambient Control, it features a pre-set Fan Cycling Switch.
Refrigeration Lines
A 1/4 inch O/D copper “liquid line” and a 3/8 or 1/2 inch O/D copper “suction line” connect the two units.
The refrigerant drier and the sight glass shall be installed (in that order) in the direction of the refrigerant
ow in the liquid line between the condensing unit and evaporator. Enclose the suction line in a cellular
insulation ½” wall thickness Armaex (brand name) or equal to reduce heat transfer.
Wiring System
The compressor is controlled by a “pump down cycle,” therefore, no wiring between the condensing unit
and evaporator unit is necessary. Wire the system in accordance with local codes and the enclosed wiring
diagrams (pg 22). The evaporator unit requires a standard 20 amp circuit, non-GFI. A dedicated circuit is not
mandatory, but recommended.
Charging the System (by Certied HVAC technician)
After all the piping is complete:
Open both of the service valves on the condensing unit (the unit is pressurized with nitrogen, and there
should be an audible sound of gas escaping through the service ports).
With electrical power connected to the evaporator unit, energize the solenoid valve (pressurize with dry
nitrogen) to 200psi. Leak test all ttings. The system must hold 200psi for 30 minutes.
If no leaks are found, leave the solenoid valve energized and evacuate the system through both the liquid
and suction service ports. Using a high vacuum pump, evacuate to 200 microns, measuring the vacuum
with a digital micron gauge. When evacuation is complete, break vacuum and pressurize with liquid R-134A
refrigerant.
With the electrical power turned on to the condensing unit, and the evaporator unit running, slowly feed
liquid refrigerant (R134A) into the suction service port. As the suction pressure rises to 15 PSIG, the condensing unit will start. Slowly feed refrigerant while maintaining a pressure above 10 PSIG to prevent the compressor from short cycling. Slowly feed refrigerant with the compressor running until the sight glass is clear
of all bubbles. Do not exceed 3.5 lbs of refrigerant. Check superheat at the evaporator outlet. Superheat
should be at 10°-12°. Check the compressor crankcase temperature after 30 minute run time – it should be
hot (115°to 140°). If it is cooler, superheat is too low. Adjust TXV to recommended superheat.
Allow the system to operate for one hour and then check the refrigerant level in the sight glass again. Additional refrigerant may be required as the temperature of the enclosure is lowered to approximately 55°F or
the ambient temperature at the condensing unit rises above the temperature at which the unit was initially
charged. Depending on temperature, the “high side” should be approximately 175 lbs, and the ”low side” 28
lbs or more to keep the evaporator from icing. It is recommended while charging to use a digital refrigerant
scale for better accuracy in measuring the amount of charge.
Page 8 GSM-01 081310
REMOTE KEYPAD: INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION
TM
TM
If you have a system with a remote keypad, please review this section for installation.
Note: 50 feet of communication line is included, the keypad can be installed up to 300 line feet away. Longer lengths of communication line can be ordered by calling 1-800-343-9463 ext. 751.
Run your communication line to the desired location, be sure not to have any harsh kinks in the lines route.
Attach the connection wire as shown below, with the red wire in the upper connection slot and the black
wire in the lower slot. It is also important to run your bottle probe line at this time,
Red Wire
Black Wire
To install the remote keypad box, remove the rear mounting bracket and secure the bracket to the wall in
the desired location. When running the communication line through a wall, be sure to run the line in the
rear mount position and insert the supplied plug in the side hole on the box. Reattach the keypad box to
the bracket.
TM
TM
Connection wire in Side Mount conguration Connection wire in Rear Mount conguration
Page 9
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