Aprilaire 76 - Dehumidifier Control Manual

INTRODUCTION

Your control allows you to set the relative humidity level for your home and provides control of the dehumidifier from a convenient living space location. The Model 76 uses an onboard sensor to monitor the relative humidity in the space in which it is located and displays the measured relative humidity on the digital display.
The Model 76 can also act as a remote control for your AprilAire Model 1800 series or e-series™ Dehumidifier if it is located in an inconvenient or hard to access area. For example, when the dehumidifier is located in and dehumidifying a crawl space or a basement, the Model 76 Control can be installed where you spend most of your time, allowing you to make changes to the setting and to see what the relative humidity is in these areas without having to access the dehumidifier.

SETTING THE DESIRED HUMIDITY LEVEL

The control will allow you to set the desired humidity level in your home and can be used to turn dehumidification On or Off.
The materials in a home act like a sponge, so the moisture in those materials is at the same level as the air. After drying the air, the materials in the home will release moisture back into the air until they are again at the same level. As a result, it is not uncommon for the dehumidifier to operate for an extended period of time when first installed.

EXTERNAL CONTROL
Begin by pressing the ON button and ON will be displayed on the LCD Screen (see LCD display in FIGURE 1). Use the buttons to set the control at 59% when first installed. Allow the dehumidifier to run for 24 hours before deciding if you want to change the humidity setting.

Raise the setting if you prefer the air to be less dry; this will reduce the amount of time that the dehumidifier runs.
Lower the setting if you prefer the air to be more dry; this will increase the amount of time that the dehumidifier runs.

REMOTE CONTROL
Begin by pressing the ON button and ON will be displayed on the LCD Screen (see LCD display in FIGURE 1). Use the buttons to set the control to a dryness level of 3 when first installed. Allow the dehumidifier to run for 24 hours before deciding if you want to change the dryness level setting.
Increase the dryness level setting if you prefer the air to be more dry; this will increase the amount of time that the dehumidifier runs.
Decrease the dryness level setting if you prefer the air to be less dry; this will reduce the amount of time that the dehumidifier runs.
The dryness level settings can be approximated to relative humidity (%RH) using TABLE 1.

NOTE: This table is for reference only.

ENERGY SAVINGS TIPS

1. To reduce dehumidifier run time, when using the Model 76 as an external control, adjust the setting to be as high as is comfortable and when using the Model 76 as a remote control, adjust the setting to be as low as is required for the space. If it feels clammy or "smells damp", change the setting to allow for drier conditions.
2. When using the Model 76 as an external control, turn the dehumidifier control OFF when you open your windows, just as you would with air conditioning.
3. When using the Model 76 as an external control, and if vacating your home for an extended period in the summer, set the RH at 59% and set your thermostat to as high as you are comfortable setting it in the cooling mode. Consult with appropriate professionals regarding the highest temperature that is safe for your pets or possessions. This will keep the humidity at a controlled level to help prevent mold while minimizing the amount of cooling energy used.

LCD DISPLAY

TURNING CONTROL ON/OFF

• Pressing the ON button will turn on the control.
• Pressing the OFF button will turn off the control.
• The control will continue to display the measured humidity when OFF.
• The humidity or dryness level setting cannot be changed when the control is OFF.

CHANGING THE HUMIDITY OR DRYNESS LEVEL SETTING

• The first press of either the or button will display the humidity or dryness level setting on the LCD.
• Each subsequent push of the or button will change the setting by 1% or 1 dryness level.
• If a button is held down, the setting will continually change by 1% or 1 dryness level every 1/2 second for as long as the button is pressed.
• The control will exit the setting screen 5 seconds after the last button press/ release.

HOW DOES THE CONTROL WORK?

CONTROL LIMITS

The control limits are used to make sure the dehumidifier does not run when conditions are outside of the operating limits. Dehumidifiers are not as effective when conditions are outside of the operating limits. For example, the dehumidifier will not remove much moisture when conditions are cool and dry. Control limits allow the dehumidifier to work efficiently within the operating range and turn off when conditions are outside of these limits.

EXTERNAL CONTROL – SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

• The dehumidifier will turn off if one of the control limits has been exceeded.
• If the control measures a dew point below 40°F OR a temperature above 99°F, the control will deactivate the dehumidifier output if actively dehumidifying, the dehumidifier will stop dehumidifying, and ON and * will blink on the LCD screen (see FIGURE 2).
• The control will resume normal operation when conditions fall back within the control limits.

REMOTE CONTROL – SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

• The dehumidifier will turn off if one of the control limits has been exceeded.
• If the dehumidifier measures a temperature below 50°F or above 105°F, the dehumidifier will stop dehumidifying, and ON and * will blink on the LCD screen (see FIGURE 3).
• The control will resume normal operation when conditions in the remote space fall back within the dehumidifier control limits.

CLEANING THE CONTROL

The surface of the Model 76 Dehumidifier Control can be cleaned with water or a non-abrasive household cleaner, including glass cleaner. Do not spray any liquid directly onto the control. Spray water or a cleaner onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface of the control.