Danby Fresh DFG17A1B - 1.7 cu. ft. Herb Grower Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the Danby family. We are proud of our quality products and we believe in dependable service. We suggest that you read this owner's manual before plugging in your new appliance as it contains important operation information, safety information, troubleshooting and maintenance tips to ensure the reliability and longevity of your appliance.

Visit www.Danby.com to access self service tools, FAQs and much more. For additional assistance call 1-800-263-2629.

Note the information below; you will need this information to obtain service under warranty.
You must provide the original purchase receipt to validate your warranty and receive service.

Any returned appliances must include the original grow light system.

Need Help?

Before you call for service, here are a few things you can do to help us serve you better.

Read this owner's manual:
It contains instructions to help you use and maintain your appliance properly.

If you receive a damaged appliance:
Immediately contact the retailer or builder that sold you the appliance.

Save time and money:
Check the troubleshooting section at the end of this manual before calling. This section will help you solve common problems that may occur.

Important Safety Information

READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities may be different or reduced, or who lack experience or knowledge, unless such persons receive supervision or training to operate the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.

To avoid risk of electric shock, do not operate this appliance in an area that is likely to accumulate standing water. If this condition develops, disconnect the power supply before stepping into the water.

Do not store or use combustible materials such as gasoline or other flammable vapors or liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

Do not cover or block the intake and exhaust openings.

This appliance is intended for indoor, residential applications only. Do not use this appliance outdoors. Do not use this appliance for commercial or industrial applications.

Risk of child entrapment. Before throwing away an old appliance:

• Remove the door or lid.
• Leave shelves in place so that children may not easily climb inside.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This appliance must be grounded. Grounding reduces the risk of electrical shock by providing an escape wire for the electrical current.

This appliance has a cord that has a grounding wire with a 3-prong plug. The power cord must be plugged into an outlet that is properly grounded. If the outlet is a 2-prong wall outlet, it must be replaced with a properly grounded 3-prong wall outlet. The serial rating plate indicates the voltage and frequency the appliance is designed for.

Improper use of the grounding plug can result in a risk of electric shock. Consult a qualified electrician or service agent if the grounding instructions are not completely understood, or if doubt exists as to whether the appliance is properly grounded.

Do not connect the appliance to extension cords, adapters or together with another appliance in the same wall outlet.

Do not splice the power cord. Do not under any circumstances cut or remove the third ground prong from the power cord.

If the power supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similar qualified person in order to avoid hazard.

For lighting equipment with cords please ensure that the cords:

1. Are not concealed or extended through a wall, floor, ceiling, or other parts of the building structure,
2. Are not located above a suspended ceiling or dropped celing,
3. Are not permanently affixed to the building structure,
4. Are routed so that they are not subject to strain and are protected from physical damage,
5. Are visible over their entire length, and
6. Are used within their rated ampacity as determined for the maximum temperature of the installed environment specified in the instructions.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

LOCATION

Select a location with a strong level floor that can support the weight of the appliance and the plants grown inside.

Allow 5 inches (12.7 cm) between the back of the appliance and the wall. Allow 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between the sides of the appliance and any adjacent walls.

Avoid direct sunlight and heat. Direct sunlight may affect the acrylic coating of the appliance or the growing cycle of your plants. Nearby heat sources can overheat the unit and cause high internal temperatures that may harm your plants.

Ensure that the appliance is turned off and unplugged before any changes are made to the light system.

Keep the door closed during operation.

Only use genuine spare parts from Danby or those that have been CSA, UL or CE approved.

The LED light panel is not water proof. Do not spray water on the surface, sides or back of the light panel.

Do not look directly at the LED light with the naked eye as this can cause retinal damage.

Recommended ambient operating temperature is between 13°C - 32°C (55°F - 90°F). Recommended operating humidity is below 80%.

The LED panel cannot be exposed to corrosive materials.

The LED panel is for indoor growing only and should not be used outdoors.

Do not touch the surface of the light system while the power is connected as it can get hot.

Do not use the LED panel during a thunderstorm to avoid a surge that could damage the light system.

FEATURES

1. LED grow light system
2. Air outlet
3. Control box
4. Drip tray
5. Wire shelf
6. Air inlet
7. Adjustable foot
8. Glass door

LEVELING INSTRUCTIONS

There is an adjustable foot on the bottom of the appliance that can be turned up or down to ensure that the appliance is level.

1. Turn the leveling foot counter-clockwise until the top of the foot is touching the bottom of the cabinet.
2. Slowly turn the leveling foot clockwise until the appliance is level.
   

LIGHT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

The grow light system will ship inside the appliance and must be installed by the end user.

1. Remove the light system from the box and remove any packaging.
2. Connect the wire coming from the back of the light system to the receptacle on the back wall of the appliance.
3. Slide the light system into the two "L" shaped brackets installed on the ceiling of the cabinet.

To remove the light system, first disconnect the light from the receptacle and then push the end of the "L" shaped bracket down and slide the light out.

CONTROL PANEL

The control panel is located on the control box on the upper right side of the cabinet.

1. Up arrow: Press and hold the up arrow for 5 seconds to manually turn the light system on or off. Press again to resume normal functioning.
2. Down arrow: Press and hold the down arrow for 5 seconds to manually turn the fan on or off. Press again to resume normal functioning.
3. Display screen: The display screen will show the current internal temperature and the timer settings.
4. Set button: The set button is used to set the timer function.
5. °C/°F indicator lights: The light will illuminate to indicate which temperature scale is being displayed. To change the temperature scale, press the set button. The default setting is Fahrenheit.

TIMER OPERATION

The timer will turn the light system on and off based on the chosen settings, creating a regular light and dark cycle for plants just as they would experience when growing outdoors.

Different plants will grow best under different light cycle conditions; some need more light and some need less. Check the back of the seed packet for information on the best light cycle to set for the plants being grown.

To program the timer:

1. Press and hold the set button for 5 seconds until "TS" appears on the display.
2. Press the up and down arrows to set the current time to the nearest hour. The default time is 12:00 am, indicated by a '0'.
3. Once the current time is set, there are two preset operating modes to choose from.
   • Press the up arrow to choose preset P1.
     • P1: 12 hour light cycle, meaning the lights will be on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours.
   • Press the down arrow to choose preset P2.
     • P2: 18 hour light cycle, meaning the lights will be on for 18 hours and off for 6 hours.

Note: The timer is a 24 hour clock and can only be set to the closest hour.

For example, if the current time is 3:45 pm, set the clock to 16 indicating 4:00 pm. Always set the current time to the nearest hour.

The timer will not display the current time. It uses the set time as a guideline for the day and night cycle and to count the hours before turning the light on or off.

The preset modes can be altered by following the steps below.

1. Press and hold the set button for 5 seconds until "TS" appears on the display.
2. Press the set button repeatedly to choose from the settings outlined in the below charts.
3. Use the up and down arrows to modify the chosen setting.

Mode P1

H1

• The time when the light will turn on
• The default is 7:00 am

L1

• The number of hours that the light will remain on
• The default is 12 hours

Mode P2

H2

• The time when the light will turn on
• The default is 6:00 am

L2

• The number of hours that the light will remain on
• The default is 18 hours

Light Temperature Setting

T1

• The temperature at which the light will turn off
• Default: 32°C (90°F)
• Temperature range: 30°C - 35°C (86°F - 95°F)

T2

• The temperature at which the light will turn on
• Default: 30°C (86°F)
• Temperature range: 26°C - 34°C (79°F - 93°F)'

Note: T1 must be higher than T2

Fan Temperature Setting

F1

• The temperature at which the fan will turn off
• Default: 17°C (63°F)
• Temperature range: 16°C - 20°C (61°F - 68°F)

F2

• The temperature at which the fan will turn on
• Default: 19°C (66°F)
• Temperature range: 18°C - 22°C (64°F - 72°F)

Note: F1 must be higher than F2

DOOR REVERSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove the hinge cover and the upper hinge from the upper right side of the cabinet. Remove the hinge hole covers from the upper left side of the cabinet. Remove the door from the cabinet.
   
2. Remove the hinge hole cover from the top left side of the door and place it in the hinge hole on the top right side of the door.
   
3. Remove the solid foot from the lower left side of the cabinet and remove the adjustable foot and lower hinge from the lower right side of the cabinet. Install the hinge and adjustable foot on the lower left side of the cabinet. Install the solid foot on the lower right side of the cabinet.
   
4. Install the door on the cabinet and install the upper hinge on the upper left side of the cabinet. Before tightening the screws on the upper hinge, ensure that the top of the door is level with the top of the cabinet and that the rubber gasket is making a good seal with the cabinet all the way around. Install the hinge hole covers in the hinge holes on the top right side of the cabinet.
   

GROWING TIPS

• Keep pots or planters in the provided drip tray to avoid water spillage.
• Plants grow best when the ambient room temperature is between 13°C - 32°C (55°F - 90°F)
• Keep the growing environment clean. Clean the drip try and the inside of the cabinet at least once a month to avoid the growth of mold and mildew.
• If powdery, white mildew forms on plants they can be sprayed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. Use 1 teaspoon of 17% - 35% food-grade hydrogen peroxide to 1 liter of water and only spray the soil as this can cause rot if sprayed on leaves or flowers.
• Do not overwater plants, especially seedlings as they can drown. There is space between the particles of soil that is filled with oxygen. Soil that is constantly wet will not carry enough oxygen and the plants will not be able to breathe.
• As a general rule, soil should be damp but not wet. Check the seed packet for specific information on watering instructions.
• In general, for most herbs and vegetables, the following light cycles are recommended:
  • Growth Cycle: 18 hours on / 6 hours off for approximately 20 - 30 days.
  • Bloom Cycle: 12 hours on / 12 hours off for approximately 20 - 30 days.
• Most herbs and vegetables have a maturity date between 45 - 90 days. How long the plants take to mature will depend on the type of plants being grown. Check the seed packet for specific information on growth cycles, germination and flowering times.

Seeds must be germinated before they will grow and bloom. For best results in germination, consult the tips below.

• Spread potting soil evenly in a pot or tray.
• Spread seeds evenly over the surface of the soil.
• Add enough water so that the soil is damp but not sodden. Using a spray bottle to add water is recommended to avoid over-watering seeds.
• The use of a humidity dome or plastic bag over the seeds is recommended to trap heat and humidity around the seeds.
• Place the pot or tray in a dark place. The bottom of the Danby Fresh Grower is ideal for this purpose.
• Leave the humidity dome or plastic bag in place for 2 - 3 days or until sprouts are visible.
• Remove the humidity dome or plastic bag and place the pot or tray on the wire shelf in the Danby Fresh Grower.
• Set the desired light cycle based on the information on the seed packet using the timer instructions.
• Water your plants as required based on the information on the seed packet.
• Most microgreens reach maturity within 1 - 2 weeks.

Note: Seedling chambers, humidity domes and germination bags are not included with this appliance and must be purchased separately.

Note: Danby Products Ltd. will accept no liability for lost plants or weak harvests based on inappropriate use of the timer and light cycle system.