hydro innovations MiniGEN User manual

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If you smell gas
Discontinue use until the gas leak is discovered and
corrected or the unit is replaced.
Check the regulator and its connections using soapy
water. Tighten if necessary.
Check the hose connection to the unit using soapy
water (this connection does not require Teflon tape,
it seals with a flare fitting). If there is a gas leak
coming from the hose connection try to tighten but
use a backup wrench and don’t over tighten. If there
is still a leak at the hose connection remove the hose
and inspect the brass gas inlet, it should be smooth
with no nicks or gouges and should be clean. If there
is a problem with this adapter either clean it off if it
is dirty or contact Hydro Innovations for a replace-
ment adapter.
Check the gas adapter that comes installed on the
unit with soapy water. If there is a leak at this
connection use a backup wrench on the unit and
remove the gas adapter. Clean the threads of any
sealant and reattach using Teflon tape. Do not over
tighten.
If no external leaks were detected using soapy water
and the smell of gas is coming from inside the unit
do not use and contact Hydro Innovations.
If you have water dripping out of the bottom of
the unit
Most likely you are experiencing condensation
dripping from the copper tubing inside the unit. This
is caused by incoming water temperatures being too
low, humidity in your garden being too high, or a
combination of both. This is similar to a cold glass of
water sweating and happens when the water cools
the tubing below the dew point in the room. We
don’t have control over the humidity in your garden
or your water temperature we do not cover damage
to the unit caused by condensation The water must
be warmed to above the dew point or the humidity
must be lowered in the garden which lowers the
dew point to below the water temperature.
If using a recirculation system turn up the chiller
slowly until the condensations stops.
For drain to waste cooling the water can be stored in
a reservoir and allowed to warm up to room
temperature; you would use a pump to supply
water to the MiniGEN and the water would still be
drained to waste.
Troubleshooting Guide
The incoming water for the MiniGEN can be run
through our Ice Box heat exchanger with a fan
attached. The exiting water from the Ice Box should
be connected to the inlet of the MiniGEN. With the
fan running and the water flowing heat from the
grow room will slightly warm the water that is used
to cool the MiniGEN typically raising it above the
dew point. As an added bonus cold air is blown in to
your garden. This will typically cause the Ice Box to
sweat which does not cause any damage and this
water can be collected and removed from your grow
room bringing down humidity levels.
If using drain to waste the cooling the user can be
switch to a recirculation system to completely stop
condensation.
Check and tighten hose barb connections.
MiniGEN does not try to light or relight, no
clicking is heard.
Check to make sure there is not air in the gas hose.
After changing the bottle or after installation, you
may need to cycle the unit on and off a few times
before the air expelled.
Check to make sure that the unit is plugged in and
that the outlet has power.
Check to make sure that the power cord is securely
attached to the unit.
Check for gas leaks, there is a sensor that detects
internal gas leaks and if a leak is detected the unit
will not run. Turn the unit off and smell for gas, if
you smell gas coming from inside the unit, discon-
tinue use and contact Hydro Innovations.
Check to make sure that the propane bottle valve is on.
Check bottle level, keep in mind bottles feel heavy
even when empty.
Check for kinks in the gas line
Check to make sure that the unit does not have
direct airflow from a fan. Too much airflow around
the unit can cause the flame to blow out.
Make sure the unit is level in both directions, there is
an out of level sensor that turns off the gas valve.
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• (1) MiniGEN Unit
• (1) 12’ Propane Hose and Regulator
2
3
MiniGEN Unit
Installation Instructions
F
G
I
A
B
C
D
EH
A) Wall mounting holes
B) Eye loops for hanging
C) Water inlet/outlet
D) Flame sight glass
E) Front panel
F) Power cord inlet
G) On/off switch
H) On/off indicator light
I) Gas inlet
Packing List:
1. (1) MiniGEN unit with
heat exchanger installed.
2. (1) 12' hose and regulator.
3. (2) Mounting screws .
4. Hose Clamps (not pictured)
1
• (2) Mounting Screws
Installation:
The MiniGEN can be wall mounted or hung by
chains. If wall mounting, secure the unit using the
two holes at the top. The unit must be mounted
securely and not just attached to the sheetrock.
Make sure that at least 1 of the screws is installed
in a stud. If hanging the unit by chains make sure
that they chains are securely fastened and are also
not just attached to the sheetrock. The unit must
be mounted at least 16" from the ceiling in your
room or hut. The unit must be hung exactly
upright or the anti-tip sensor will not allow the
unit to function. Make sure that the unit is not
installed in an area with strong air flow as it can
blow out the flame.
Attaching Gas Line:
Inspect the brass fitting and the brass inlet of the
MiniGEN for damage of any kind. If damaged DO
NOT USE. Otherwise, screw the brass fitting of the
supplied hose to the brass gas inlet on the MiniGEN.
This connection does not need teflon tape but
should be installed firmly. Be careful not to over
tighten. The gas line supplied has an attached
regulator with a plastic bottle fitting that MUST be
used. The bottle fitting is designed for 20lb and 40lb
propane bottles. Make sure that the valve on the
propane bottle is turned off completely by turning
it clockwise. Attach the other end of the hose to the
propane bottle by screwing on the bottle fitting. If
it doesn't easily attach you may be using the
wrong size bottle or wrong bottle type. Once the
hose is firmly attached, turn the valve of the bottle
counter clockwise to allow gas to flow. Check all
connections for leaks by applying soapy water to
the connections (including the regulator) and
looking for bubbles. If there are bubbles at any of
the connections do not use the product until the
leak is fixed. Also smell for gas inside the unit, if
you smell raw gas at all DO NOT USE (or discon-
tinue use).
Attaching Water Lines:
The MiniGEN heat exchanger has hose barb inlet
and outlets designed for 1/2" inside diameter
tubing. Slip the tubing over the hose barbs to
install. We recommend high quality kink resistant
tubing that should be secured with the supplied
hose clamps. Circulate water though the lines and
check for leaks before operating the unit.
Pump:
We recommend a pump with a flow rate of at least
500 GPH if you choose to water cool the MiniGEN.
Cooling:
You can use a small (5 gallon) reservoir with a
small chiller or, if you'd prefer not to use a chiller, a
larger reservoir alone (minimum 25 gallons;
depending on your application, a larger reservoir
might be required).
Removing the Heat Exchanger
(for use without the water cooling feature):
The MiniGEN is approved to be used with or
without water flow but we do recommend that
you remove the heat exchanger if you choose to use
it without water flow. Make sure the unit is not
running and has had ample time to cool off.
Unscrew the four screws and two brass nuts to
remove the front panel. Facing the heat exchanger,
lift either the left or right side and slide it out.
Reinstall the front cover after removing the heat
exchanger.
Attaching Power Cord:
The supplied power cord plugs in to the standard
120V power outlet of your CO2 monitor or a timer
(not recommended) and includes a 12v
transformer that supplies power to the MiniGEN.
Operating the Unit:
Once every step above has been followed, most
importantly checking for and correcting any gas
leaks, the MiniGEN is ready for operation. If
applicable, turn on the water and leave flowing
while the unit in operation. Make sure the propane
bottle is full and the bottle gas valve is on. Turn on
the power switch for the unit and make sure that
the power cord is energized by your CO2 monitor. If
the monitor outlet is powered on, the MiniGEN will
light, check the sight glass to verify. When the
powered outlet on the CO2 monitor is turned, off
the unit will turn off. (If the MiniGEN does not light
the first time there is probably air in the gas hose.
Turn off the power switch, wait 60 seconds, and
try again. This may have to be done several times
to bleed all of the air out.)
Condensation:
If during operation there is condensation collecting
on the lines and dripping out of the unit you must
raise your water temperature to the point that the
condensation stops. Condensation damage is not
covered by warranty and is a problem that should
be addressed immediately to avoid damage to the
unit. Condensation occurs when any object inside
your growing environment is colder than the dew
point temperature. The incoming water tempera-
ture must be above the dew point in order to curb
the problem.