Frequently Asked Questions

Q. IS THERE ANY ASSEMBLY REQUIRED?

A: No. Port-A-Cool® units are ready to use right out of the box.

Q. HOW DO I PREPARE MY PORT-A-COOL® 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 click on "Port-A-Cool® unit Maintenance" below.

Q. I JUST HOOKED UP MY PORT-A-COOL® 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-Cool® 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 softner directly in the tank in the bottom of your unit.

Q. MY PORT-A-COOL® 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 waterflow. 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 our Tech Support Hotline at 1-888-COOL-AID for additional assistance.

Q. WHAT IS THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PORT-A-COOL® 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-Cool® 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-Cool® unit uses the evaporative process to produce cooler air.

Q. HOW DO I OIL THE FAN MOTOR?

A. The Dayton Motor Installation and Maintenance Infomation 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 electiric 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 from any Port-A-Cool® product distributor or directly from Port-A-Cool® 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 call our tech support department for more detailed information about replacing your pads.

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.