Frequently Asked Questions
Q.
IS THERE ANY ASSEMBLY REQUIRED?
A: No. Port-A-CoolŪ units are ready to use right out of the
box.
Q.
MY LOCATION IS HUMID, I DONT THINK IT WILL WORK.
A: The effectiveness of the Port-A-CoolŪ unit is best appreciated
when it is above 85 degrees F and below 75% relative humidity.
By the time the outside temperature reaches 85 degrees F,
the humidity is almost always below 75%. Generally, as one
goes up, the other goes down. Adjusting the water valve on
the Port-A-CoolŪ unit is key. Less water is best in high humidity.
Rent one our units and give it a try.
Q.
HOW DO I PREPARE MY PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT FOR STORAGE?
A: Simply drain the unit, dry out the pads and place the unit,
preferably covered, in a dry place for the winter season.
For more details, please contact us for instructions.
Q.
I JUST HOOKED UP MY PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND
THERE'S AN UNPLEASANT ODOR! WHAT'S WRONG?
A: The pads, located in the back of your Port-A-CoolŪ unit,
have never been wet. The resin in the pads will emit an odor
the first time you wet them that lasts approximately one to
three weeks. Keep the unit in an open area until the odor
goes away or put a capful of laundry softener directly in
the tank in the bottom of your unit.
Q.
MY PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT ISN'T PUTTING OUT ANY COOL AIR?
A: First, check the back of your unit to see if the pads are
damp. Adjust the water flow. For the evaporation process to
occur, the pads must be damp before you turn on the fan. Second,
make sure there is water in the tank. It should be allowed
to fill before you turn the pump on. Thirdly, make sure the
water source and electricity source are connected and working.
If you use an extension cord, make sure there are no frays
or shorts and that it is a 12 gauge or better cord. Fourth,
if none of these options fix the problem, call for additional
assistance.
Q.
WHAT IS THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT TO
PRODUCE THE MOST COOL AIR?
A: For optimum performance, the temperature should be 85 degrees
F or higher and the relative humidity should be below 75%.
However, Port-A-CoolŪ units will reduce the temperature in
almost any environment, making it more pleasant.
Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EVAPORATIVE COOLING
AND MISTING SYSTEMS?
A: Misting units spray a shower of water into the air that
will collect on a person, getting the person wet. The Port-A-CoolŪ
unit uses the evaporative process to produce cooler air.
Q. HOW DO I OIL THE FAN MOTOR?
A. The Dayton Motor Installation and Maintenance Information
manual states, "Sleeve bearing motors require periodic reoiling.
Re-oil continuous duty units once a year, intermittent duty
units every two years, and occasional duty units every five
years with 30 to 35 drops of SAE no. 20 non-detergent or electric
motor oil."
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY UNIT SMELLS?
A. A new unit will go through a break-in period and may emit
some odor. Approximately after two weeks of operation, the
odor should disappear. If the unit is not a new unit, algae
or bacteria growth in the unit from improper maintenance will
cause odors. Please refer to your Owner's
Manual for proper cleaning and maintenance.
Q.
WHERE CAN I BUY REPLACEMENT PARTS?
A. Unit replacement parts may be purchased directly from Superior
Outside Cooling or from Port-A-CoolŪ Parts/Technical Support
department.
Q.
HOW OFTEN DO PADS HAVE TO BE REPLACED?
A: Depending on the quality of maintenance and frequency of
use, pads typically last up to five years. However, should
you have any questions about the life of the pads for your
unit, please contact us.
Q.
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE PRODUCED BY A UNIT?
A.
Approximately 2% to 5% increase in humidity is produced depending
on the temperature and humidity of the environment. This amount
of increase in humidity is not noticeable in a ventilated
area where the air produced by the unit is exhausted.
Q.
HOW LONG WILL THE WATER SUPPLY LAST IN THE SUMP TANK?
A. With no direct water source available, the unit will evaporate
the water in a filled sump tank within two hours of operation.
The evaporation rate will vary depending on temperature and
humidity. A water source for refilling the sump tank is recommended
by the manufacturer. Every unit has an internal float valve
for regulating water flow into the sump.
Q.
SHOULD I USE ICE IN THE SUMP TANK FOR BETTER COOLING?
A. Some of the vapor from the ice water may be picked up and
distributed by the fan, but this does not increase evaporation
and therefore will not produce significant cooling.
Q.
WHERE ARE THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS FOUND ON THE UNIT?
A.
On the outside of the housing of every unit is a metal plate
with a white label with printed barcodes and other information.
Unit model numbers begin with the letters "PAC." Serial numbers
are all-digit numbers. Please always provide the unit's serial
number and model number when contacting Parts/Technical Support.
Q.
HOW WELL DO YOUR COOLING SYSTEMS WORK?
Port-A-CoolŪ units can lower the surrounding ambient temperature
an average of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and actually generate
cooled air!
Q.
HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT ARE PORT-A-COOLŪ UNITS?
Evaporative cooling systems (like Port-A-CoolŪ) used worldwide
save some 60 million barrels of oil annually and 27 billion
pounds of annual CO2 emissions in lieu of vapor compression
air-conditioning systems.
Q.
HOW MUCH LABOR DOES IT TAKE TO SETUP A PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT?
Port-A-CoolŪ units are simple to hook up, the only things
needed are a 120 volt outlet with a 20 amp circuit to plug
the unit into and a water source to hook the hose up to. Then
simply point the unit in the direction you want the air to
flow, flip the switch and enjoy the wonderful, cooled breeze!
Q.
DO PORT-A-COOLŪ UNITS HELP WITH INDOOR AIR QUALITY?
Yes, with superior fluting and manufacturing in Kuul pads
media, impurities are filtered out, producing cooler, cleaner
indoor air.
Q.
WILL PORT-A-COOLŪ UNITS WORK WITH MY EXISTING AIR CONDITIONING
SYSTEM?
Yes, Port-A-CoolŪ units can be easily integrated and configured
to become energy efficient additions to your existing cooling
system.
Q.
HOW ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLLY ARE PORT-A-COOLŪ UNITS?
Port-A-CoolŪ units produce no fluorocarbons like traditional
air conditioning or vapor compression systems. Using Port-A-CoolŪ
units instead of vapor compression systems also helps reduce
the global CO2, CFC, and other greenhouse gas emissions. Port-A-CoolŪ
units emit no fumes or exhaust of any sort.
Q.
WHEN I RENT A PORT-A-COOLŪ UNIT, WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO RUN
THE UNIT?
Our rental rates include all the accessories needed to operate
your Port-A-CoolŪ unit, as well as our technicians who will
set the unit up for you and pick it back up once your event
is finished. As long as you are within our delivery area.
Q.
CAN SOMEONE STAY AND MONITOR THE UNIT FOR MY EVENT?
Yes, if you would like to have one of our technicians stay
with the unit so that your event will be worry-free, this
service is also available for an additional charge.
Q.
WHAT IF MY QUESTIONS AREN'T ANSWERED HERE??
Contact us at 504-251-3615 or 504-352-0054 or e-mail us at
superioroutsidecooling@cox.net
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