Harbor Freight Tools 90553 User manual

House/Room Heater
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit ourWeb site at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Copyright©2003 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form
without the express written consent of Harbor FreightTools.
For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
®
90553

SKU 90553 PAGE 2
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
When using electrical appliances, basic precautions should always be followed to reduce
the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:
1. Read all instructions before using this heater.
2. This Heater is hot when in use. To avoid burns, do not let bare skin touch
hot surfaces. Use the handle when moving this heater. Keep combustible
materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, and curtains
at least 3 ft. (1 m) from the front of the heater and keep them away from the
sides and rear.
3. Extreme caution is necessary when any heater is used by or near children
or invalids and whenever the heater is left operating and unattended.
4. Always unplug the heater when not in use.
5. Do not operate any heater with a damaged cord or plug or after the heater
malfunctions, has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Return the
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions,operation,
inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, and the parts list and assembly
diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the
inside of the front cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for
future reference. GENERAL SAFETY RULES
WARNING!
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS
Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in
electric shock,fire,and/or serious injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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SKU 90553 PAGE 3
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
1. Grounded items must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the
grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs.
Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is
properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down,
grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.
2. Double insulated items are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider
than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug
does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a
qualified electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not change the plug in any
way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire grounded power
cord and grounded power supply system.
3. Do not expose power items to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power
item will increase the risk of electric shock.
4. Do not abuse the Power Cord. Never use the Power Cord to carry the item or
pull the Plug from an outlet. Keep the Power Cord away from heat, oil, sharp
heater to an authorized service facility for examination, electrical or
mechanical adjustment, or repair.
6. Do not use outdoors.
7. This heater is not intended for use in bathrooms, laundry areas, and similar
indoor locations. Never locate heater where it may fall into a bathtub or
other water container.
8. Donotruncordundercarpeting. Donotcovercordwiththrowrugs, runners,
or similar coverings. Arrange cord away from traffic area and where it will
not be tripped over.
9. To disconnect heater, turn controls to “OFF”, then remove plug from outlet.
10. Connect to properly grounded outlets only.
11. Do not insert or allow foreign objects to enter any ventilation or exhaust
openingasthis maycauseanelectricshockorfire,ordamagetothe heater.
12. To prevent possible fire, do not block air intakes or exhaust in any manner.
Do not use on soft surfaces, like a bed, where openings may be blocked.
13. A heater has hot and arcing or sparking parts inside. Do not use it in areas
where gasoline, paint, or flammable liquids are used or stored.
14. Use this heater only as described in this manual. Any other use not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause fire, electric shock, or injury
topersons.
15. Avoidtheuseofanextension cord because the extensioncordmayoverheat
and cause a risk of fire. However, if you have to use an extension cord, the
cord shall be No.16 AWG minimum size and no less than 1125 watts.
16. “SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS”

SKU 90553 PAGE 4
edges,or movingparts. Replace damaged Power Cordsimmediately. Damaged
Power Cords increase the risk of electric shock.
5. Do not run the Power Cord or extension cord under rugs or carpeting. Do not
run cords in traffic areas where they may be tripped over.
6. When operating a power item outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked
“W-A”or“W”. These extensioncordsareratedforoutdooruse,andreducethe risk
of electric shock.
PERSONAL SAFETY
7. WARNING! This item is HOT when in use. Avoid contact with this item when in
use.Keep it away from combustible materials, such as walls, curtains, pillows, etc.
when in use.When in use keep out of reach of children and pets. Never leave this
item unattended when in use. Severe injury or fire may result from improper use.
8. Never operate this heater if the cord is damaged, or if the item malfunctions, or
has been damaged or broken. Severe injury or property damage may result.
Returndamaged items toHarborFreightTools,or aqualifiedrepair person forrepair
or replacement.
9. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the Power Switch is off before plugging in.
Plugging in power items with the Power Switch on invites accidents.Always unplug
this item when not in use.
10. Do not use this heater outdoors, or in moist locations such as a bathroom,
laundry room, etc. This heater is not designed to be used in moist environments.
Personal injury or property damage may result from use in such locations.
11. Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any
adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the item. Suchpreventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the item accidentally.
12. Store powered items out of reach of children and other untrained persons.
Powered items are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
SERVICE
13. Repair service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service
or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
14. When servicing an item, use only identical replacement parts. Follow
instructions in the “Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning” section of this
manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions
may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
15. Handle with Care. Do not move this item when in use.The heater core is fragile,
especially when hot.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
16. Maintain labels and nameplates on the room heater. These carry important
information. Ifunreadableormissing,contactHarborFreightToolsfora replacement.

SKU 90553 PAGE 5
17. Maintain a safe environment. Keep the area well lit. Make sure there is adequate
space surrounding the heater. Always keep the usage area free of obstructions,
grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use a powered item in areas near
flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a damp or wet
location.
18. Always keep the extension cord away from heated parts of the heater.
19. Never leave the heater unattended when it is plugged into an electrical outlet.
Turn off the heater, and unplug it from its electrical outlet before leaving.
20. Always unplug the heater from its electrical outlet and allow it to cool for at
least 10 minutes, before performing inspection, maintenance, or cleaning
procedures.
21. This heater draws 8 Amps when working.To avoid overloading, do not use
other appliances on the same circuit when this heater is working.
22. Do not insert or allow foreign objects to enter any grill or ventilation opening
on this heater. To do so may cause fire, electrical shock, or damage the unit.
23. WARNING! Peoplewithpacemakersshouldconsult theirphysician(s)beforeusing
this product. Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a heart
pacemaker could cause interference or failure of the pacemaker.
GROUNDING
WARNING!
Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric
shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the
outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with
the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the
tool if the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by
a service facility before use. If the plug will not fit the outlet, have a proper
outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
GROUNDED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS
1. Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong
grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If
the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low
resistance path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of elec-
tric shock. (See Figure A, next page.)
2. The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the
cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the

SKU 90553 PAGE 6
FIGURE A
only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached
to an electrically “live” terminal. (See Figure A.)
3. Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet
should look like those in the following illustration. (See Figure A.)
FIGURE B
DOUBLE INSULATED ITEMS: ITEMS WITH TWO PRONG PLUGS
4. Itemsmarked “Double Insulated”do not requiregrounding. They havea special
doubleinsulationsystem which satisfiesOSHA requirementsandcomplieswith
theapplicablestandards of UnderwritersLaboratories,Inc.,the Canadian
Standard Association, and the National Electrical Code. (See Figure B.)
5. Doubleinsulated items maybeusedin either ofthe120volt outlets showninthe
followingillustration. (See Figure B.)

SKU 90553 PAGE 7
EXTENSION CORDS
1. Grounded items require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated items
canuse either atwoorthree wire extensioncord.
2. As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge
extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a
seriousdrop involtage, resultingin loss ofpower andpossible item damage.
(See Figure C, next page.)
3. The smaller the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity of the cord.
For example, a 14 gauge cord can carry a higher current than a 16 gauge cord.
(See Figure C.)
4. When using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make
sure each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required.
(See Figure C.)
5. If you are using one extension cord for more than one item, add the nameplate
amperes and use the sum to determine the required minimum cord size.
(See Figure C.)
6. If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the suffix
“W-A”(“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.
7. Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition.
Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualified
electrician before using it.
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS*
(120 VOLT)
NAMEPLATE
AMPERES
(
At Full Load
)
EXTENSION CORD LENGTH
25
Feet 50 Feet 75 Feet 100 Feet 150 Feet
0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16
2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14
3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12
5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12
7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -
12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -
16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - -
* Based on limiting the line voltage drop
to five volts at 150% of the rated amperes.
FIGURE C

SKU 90553 PAGE 8
SYMBOLOGY
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards
Association
Underwriters
Laboratories, Inc.
Volts Alternating Current
Amperes
No Load Revolutions
per Minute (RPM)
noxxxx/min.
A
V ~
SAFETY FEATURES
This heater is equipped with several safety features for your protection.
1. Tip Over Switch (9): A gravity-operated switch will cut off the electrical supply to
this heater in the event the heater is tipped over.
2. Temperature Control. This heater is equipped with a thermostatically controlled
cutoff switch. If the unit should overheat, a circuit-breaker will cut off the electrical
supply, shutting down the unit.You may restart the heater by turning the unit OFF,
allow to cool for at least 10 minutes, pressing the“RESET” button on theTop Cover
(2) of the unit, then turning the unit back ON.
3. Thermal Cutoff. In the event the unit overheats, and theTemperature Control does
not operate as intended, the Thermal Cutoff (4) will blow, causing the unit to shut
down. In this event, your heater must be taken in for repair to replace the Thermal
Cutoffunit. POWER KNOB
Operation of this heater is controlled using the Power
Knob (1).
1) Rotate the knob to “OFF” to turn off the unit.
2) Rotate the knob to “HI” to turn on the unit.
3) Rotate the knob to “Oscillate” to cause the unit to
rotate back and forth.
4) In the event the unit overheats, the “RESET” but-
ton will pop up.Press this button straight down to re-
setthe heatertemperature control safetyfeature.
8. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive heat, and damp or wet
areas.

SKU 90553 PAGE 9
UNPACKING
Whenunpacking, check tomakesure theHeater and PowerCordare undamaged. Ifanypartsare missing or
broken,pleasecallHarbor FreightToolsatthenumbershown on thecoverof this manualassoon as possible.
OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS
No assembly is required for this heater.
Please observe the safety precautions presented in this booklet for your safety.
1. CAUTION: AlwaysmakesurethePowerCord (10) of the heater is unplugged from its electrical
outlet prior to making any adjustments to the heater.
2. Place the heater on a firm, level surface free from obstructions, and at least 3 feet away from any
wallor combustible material. DO NOT use on an unstable surface such as bedding ordeepcarpet-
ing.Keep the heater away from traffic areas, where it may be tripped on or knocked over.
3. With the Power Knob (1) set in the OFF position, plug the heater into a grounded 120V outlet. Turn
the Power Knob (1) to HI to start the unit. If desired, turn the Power Knob (1) to “Oscillate” to
engageside-to-sideoscillationwhiletheheater is on.
4. When not in use;turn off the unit, allow it to cool completely, and unplug the unit from the electrical
outlet.
INSPECTION,MAINTENANCE,AND CLEANING
1. WARNING! Make sure the Power Knob (1) of the heater is in its“OFF” position, that the item is
unplugged from its electrical outlet, and has cooled for at least 10 minutes, before performing any
inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures.Clean using only a dry, clean cloth.Never use
any water, wax, polish or chemical cleaners.
2. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general condition of the heater. Check for loose screws, mis-
alignmentorbinding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, andany
otherconditionthatmayaffectits safe operation. If abnormal noise or vibration occurs, have the
problemcorrected beforefurtheruse. Do not use damaged equipment.
3. Do not attempt to disassemble this heater. It is not designed to be disassembled.
TROUBLESHOOTING
If your heater shuts off unexpectedly, or fails to operate,
one of the safety features may have been activated.
1. Ifyou find an obstruction in the grill or vents, with the heater turned OFF and unplugged, carefully
removeit.
2. If the heater won’t start, check to be sure it is plugged in, and the plug has power.
3. Press the Reset Button. If it goes in, the heater should restart.
4. If the Reset Button is in, the plug has power, there is no observable damage, and the heater still
won’t operate, it is likely that the Thermal Cutoff (4) unit has blown. Please contact Harbor Freight
Tools at the phone number on the front of this manual for repair instructions.

SKU 90553 PAGE 10
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDEDTHE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY
DIAGRAM INTHIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR
DISTRIBUTORMAKESANYREPRESENTATION ORWARRANTY OFANY KINDTOTHEBUYERTHAT
HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIEDTOREPLACEANY PARTSOFTHEPRODUCT. INFACT,THEMANUFACTURERAND/OR
DISTRIBUTOREXPRESSLYSTATESTHATALL REPAIRSANDPARTSREPLACEMENTSSHOULD BE
UNDERTAKENBYCERTIFIEDANDLICENSEDTECHNICIANS,ANDNOTBYTHEBUYER. THEBUYER
ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL
PRODUCTORREPLACEMENTPARTSTHERETO,ORARISINGOUT OFHISOR HER INSTALLATION
OFREPLACEMENTPARTSTHERETO.
NOTE: Someparts arelistedand shownforillustrationpurposesonly, andarenot avail-
ableindividuallyasreplacement parts.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY