Aircare COBRA-5 User manual

1
Air-Care is a proud member
Air-Care is a Division of D.P.L. Enterprises, Inc.
3868 E. Post Road, Las Vegas, NV 89120 [phone], Fax [phone]
Website:
www.air
-
care.com
, E
-
mail: Info@Air
-
Care.com
NAFA
National Air Filter Association
NADCA
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
COBRA-5
Power Brush System
Revised 3Feb2014
P/N MM0122
Table of Contents
Unpacking & Safety information 2
Operating Instructions 3
Duct Cleaning with COBRA-5 4
Dryer Duct Cleaning w/ COBRA-5 5
Component Names & Locations 6
Options & cable repair parts 6
Parts List 8
Troubleshooting guide 9
Cable repairs & Specifications 10
Glossary 11
Warranty 12
ISSA
International Sanitary Supply
Association
FG0110

2
Unpacking & Installation Instructions
Remove the outer box and inspect for damage. Report all damage immediately to your carrier. If
special setup instructions are required, they will be taped to the outside of the equipment or in the
“Operating” section of this manual.
Inspect all of the packing material for small parts before discarding packaging material. Report
all damage to Air-Care immediately. Any attempt at repairing damages may void warranty.
Check that all parts are present (See Pages 6-7)
1. COBRA-5 variable speed motor drive unit.
2. Flexible drive cable, 3/8” core by 35 feet long.
3. Flex-E-Bristle Brush, for use in 4” to 18” diameter air ducts.
4. Three position remote control switch with 15-foot cable. (Fwd-OFF-Rev)
5. 9 foot AC power cable.
6. Commercial Option (12”-36” diameter Flex-E-Bristle Brush.)
7. Dryer Duct Options (5/16” cable, 4” brush, Nest Claw, etc)
Safety Precautions:
Always use safe and common sense precautions when working with Air-Care equipment. Do
not block walkways with equipment, and remove delicate and breakable articles from the
immediate work area. The following are precautions that should be reviewed by all persons who
will be involved in the cleaning activity.
•There are no user serviceable components in the COBRA-5; only trained technicians should
attempt to make internal repairs on this equipment.
•Never use the COBRA-5 in a wet environment.
•Always turn off the main power switch on the COBRA-5 panel when the brush and cable are
laid down to prevent injury if the “FWD-OFF-REV” switch is accidentally activated.
•Be sure all power cords and electrical extensions are rated to meet or exceed the original Air-
Care power cord spec’s, and inspect AC power plugs to be sure the ground pin is in place.
•Never connect power to Air-Care equipment unless all covers, and safety shields are in place.
Mechanical and electrical parts could activate and cause injury.
•Never allow anyone but a properly trained technician to use Air-Care equipment or cleaning
products.
•All Air-Care equipment is designed for US standard 115 volt, 60 Hz AC. Most Air-Care
equipment can be special ordered to meet other worldwide standards for a reasonable price
and delivery schedule. Always check the specifications on the Equipment before connecting
electrical power to Air-Care equipment.
•Keep the cable clear of breakable objects as it can flip and twist during higher torque
applications.
•Turn off main power switch when removing or replacing the Flex-E-Bristle Brush.
If you have questions about the safe use of any Air-Care product, call 702-454-5515
Equipment Specifications and part numbers are subject to and change without notice.

3
Operating Instructions
Setup and Testing
The COBRA-5 is designed for use with a portable negative air machine to thoroughly clean
round, square and rectangular ducts. Caution must be used when cleaning soft surface ducts
such as older, deteriorated duct-board or flexible ducts. There is a torque control switch to
reduce the torque when using the more flexible 5/16” Dryer Duct cable and accessories. Always
use the LOW torque setting when using the dryer duct cable.
1. Place the Cobra 5 drive unit on the floor or other stable surface near the ducts to be cleaned.
2. Verify that the speed control on the panel is at “0”, the power switch on the panel is off, “0”,
and the remote control is in the center “Off” position. (Page 6,7)
3. Connect the power cord to the inlet receptacle on of the motor unit panel and to a standard
115 volt AC outlet. (Page 6,7)
4. Set the “Torque” switch to “LOW” when using the dryer duct cable. The standard cable
requires the “HIGH” torque setting in most cases.
5. Attach the flexible shaft to the motor unit by first aligning the square end of the shaft with the
square hole in the drive unit, then screwing the black disconnect nut onto the 2” diameter,
threaded end of the coupler. This nut should be snug, but NOT excessively tight.
6. The FWD/REV switch on the panel and remote should be in the center or “Off” position.
7. Hold the outer cable housing near the Flex-E-Bristle Brush. Hold the brush where it will not
hit you or other objects when it begins to rotate.
8. Turn on the power switch, then turn the speed control to approximately “30”.
9. Using caution, flip the switch on the remote to “Forward” and wait a few seconds for the
brush to begin to turn slowly. If it fails to turn, go to the trouble shooting section, page 9.
10. Once the brush is turning, you may want to test the unit by increasing the speed slowly to
maximum then back to zero. Be careful to not let the brush hit anything breakable. The
remote switch can be set to “Off”, then “Reverse” and the speed control slowly adjusted up
and down to complete the test. Use caution when changing the direction of rotation. Pause
in the “STOP” position momentarily when changing from Forward to Reverse or Reverse to
Forward or the cable may flip around with the possibility of hitting breakable objects in the
immediate area.
11. The brush MUST BE STOPPED BEFORE INSERTING IT INTO AN AIR DUCT.
12. DO NOT CRIMP THE CABLE WHEN STORING OR TRANSPORTING. THIS MAY
BEND THE STRANDS IN THE CABLE CAUSING PREMATURE FATIGUE AND
FAILURE.

4
Duct Cleaning *
1. Before using the COBRA-5 to clean the air system, the supply and return duct diffuser grills
must be removed. Also, pre-vacuum and plug these openings, and then attach the Turbojet or
other negative air machine to the system.
2. CAUTION: DO NOT INSERT OR REMOVE THE BRUSH FROM THE DUCT WHILE
THE BRUSH IS TURNING
3. Begin at the duct opening farthest from the furnace/air conditioner.
4. With the Brush STOPPED, insert the brush and cable assembly one or two feet into the duct
to be cleaned. THE MACHINE END OF THE CABLE MUST BE STRAIGHT FOR AT
LEAST 4 to 5 FEET TO REDUCE THE FRICTION and HEATING OF THE CABLE
HOUSING. A tight bend in the cable will cause friction that will damage the cable housing
and cable resulting in costly repairs or replacement of the cable.
5. Start the brush by turning on the main power, set the speed dial to 30 or 40, and then flip the
remote switch to “Forward”. The brush will begin to rotate within a few seconds.
NOTE: The brush will begin to turn slowly at 10 to 20 on the Dial. Most duct cleaning
will be done between 30 and 60 on the scale (200 to 900 RPM).
6. Push the Flex-E-Bristle Brush into the duct with a smooth gentle force. The brush will
expand and compress to clean any size duct from 4” to 18” high and any width.
CAUTION: To clean duct board ducts, or older flex duct systems, the COBRA-5 Brush
system should be used at a low speed with caution as its aggressive cleaning action may
damage these delicate ducts. Internally insulated ducts, brittle flex ducts and fraying duct
board ducts should NOT be cleaned with a power brush.
(See Forward and Reverse Air Whisk and Sidewinder, on www.air-care.com)
7. When the end of the duct is reached, the cable can be pulled slowly back toward the opening.
If the duct is rectangular in shape, stop the COBRA-5 with the remote switch, then run it in
the Reverse direction as you pull it back to the duct opening. This will assure that the brush
cleans both sides of the rectangular duct.
8. Stop the brush 1 or 2 feet from the duct entrance then remove the brush. This duct opening
can now be plugged with the foam plug, and the next duct opening cleaned in the same
manner. Repeat this on each duct opening until all have been cleaned.
9. The duct system is now ready to be decontaminated by fogging in a duct sealant like Soot Set
and an EPA registered sanitizer such as Envirocon.
* For a complete Duct Cleaning Procedure Summary refer to the back of this manual. Air-Care also has classroom
and self-study training programs available. Please visit our website at www.air-care.com or call 800-322-9919 for a
free catalog.

5
Dryer Duct Cleaning *
Dryer exhaust ducts vary in construction, materials and configuration from city to city. The
general procedure for using the COBRA-5 Power Brush system described here may need to be
modified to safely and effectively clean these ducts in your area.
CAUTION: Cleaning the exhaust duct on a clothes dryer will improve performance and reduce
future lint build up, but the dryer itself must also be cleaned and lint removed from its fan,
heating area and other interior components to reduce the risk of fire.
1. With the dryer running, clip the outside flap “OPEN” and check the airflow at the exhaust
with a flow meter. Write down the reading for comparison after cleaning.
2. Turn off the dryer, remove power, then move it away from the wall and disconnect the
exhaust tubing. If it is a gas dryer, be careful to not damage or break the gas line.
3. Apply vacuum to the end of the exhaust duct (inside or outside, depending on
configuration).
4. Use the COBRA-5 in “Low Torque” mode with the 5/16” flexible dryer duct cable.
5. Set the speed dial to 50 or 60 and insert the brush into the exhaust duct.
6. Turn the remote switch to “FORWARD”, and push the brush into the duct with the cable.
7. If resistance is met, try reversing the rotation of the brush and pushing it in again.
8. If the cable cannot be pushed all the way to the end of the duct, it may be necessary to
insert the cable and brush from the other end of the duct.
9. If there is a visible lint clog or bird nest, the nest claw may be needed to break it up.
CAUTION: The nest claw can be very aggressive, and may damage flexible ducts.
10. If you have access to only one end of the exhaust duct, the Air-Care Vent Vac 4x4 “Y”
adapter allows the vacuum and the cable to be inserted from the same end of the exhaust
duct.
11. Remove the back cover of the dryer and clean out the lint on internal components.
Usually 4-8 screws are used to mount the back cover. Access to the interior of the dryer
will vary with model, be careful to not damage it.
12. Once the duct and dryer are clean, connect the dryer to the wall opening with aluminum
hose. (The Consumer Product Safety Commission does NOT recommend plastic
connector hoses, nor does any major dryer manufacturer).
13. Turn the dryer on and again check the airflow outside. Typically over 1000 fpm (Feet Per
Minute) is good, and less than 1000 fpm is not. If the flow has increased substantially
over the original flow rate, you have been successful.
14. Clean up any lint around the outside of the dryer, clean the exterior of the dryer and if
you have a sticker or magnet, date it for a follow-up cleaning in 12 months.
* For complete Instructions on Cleaning Dryer Ducts, see the Air-Care
Dryer Duct Cleaning Video.