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Below are a number of answers to Frequently Asked Questions that may help you to understand the features, operation and maintenance of the Wine Master wine cellar unit. Click on each question to be directed to a detailed answer. If you do not find the applicable question and answer, please contact Wine Products, Inc. directly. |
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What is the ideal temperature for wine storage?
How do I set the temperature for my cellar?
Are special tools required to install the WP3000?
Does the WP3000 replace competitors units?
Does the WP3000 leak water?
How is the WP3000 water removal system activated?
What maintenance is required?
How hot can the outside (ambient) room temperature be for the WP3000 to work effectively?
Will higher BTU ouput provide more than 30F cooling of the outside air?
Why is only a 3000BTU unit available from Wine Products, Inc.?
Where in the cellar should I mount the WP3000?
Do we require a bottle probe?
Why does the WP3000 system cool air slowly?
How important is insulation? |
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What is the ideal temperature for wine storage? |
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Most experts suggest 55F to 57F. The temperature control is located on the front panel of the unit. |
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How do I set the temperature for my cellar? |
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Your local hardware store has a variety of thermometers from which to choose. Place your thermometer inside the cellar, across from the WP3000. Take a temperature reading once a day. Adjust either up or down to reach the ideal temperature. Remember, by design, the temperature in your cellar adjusts slowly. So, do not change the setting more than once every 24-48 hours. For a new installation, it may take one to two weeks to reach the ideal temperature. |
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Are special tools required to install the WP3000? |
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No. The WP3000 is a self-contained unit. The only requirements are the proper opening in the exterior of the cellar and an electrical power supply. Place the unit into the opening and plug in. Install the outside grill with a screwdriver. Make sure the air inlet inside the cellar is not blocked. You are ready to turn on and start controlling the balance of temperature and humidity in your wine cellar. |
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Does the WP3000 replace competitors units? |
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Yes. The Wine Products, Inc. WP3000 will directly replace Whisperkool 3000BTU and Breezeaire 3000BTU units. No modifications to the opening is required. When replacing a Breezaire unit with the WP3000, a 3" filler strip is needed. See our Instructions page for more details. |
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Does the WP3000 leak water? |
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The WP3000 has a unique water removal system. In areas of the country where humidity is high, the excess water is drained from the evaporator (cooler) side to the compressor side. The heat at the compressor side is used to evaporate the excessive moisture. In extreme cases, where the water build-up is greater than the system can handle, an external drain is provided. |
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How is the WP3000 water removal system activated? |
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If water leakage from our unit appears in your cellar, turn on the water removal power switch located on the front panel. The switch will light and the removal system will take over. |
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What maintenance is required? |
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The coils on the outside wall should be vacuumed every 4-6 months to remove dirt and dust. Inside the cellar, the water drainage inspection hole should be opened and the drain dirt brushed out with the brush provided with your WP3000 unit. |
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How hot can the outside (ambient) room temperature be for the WP3000 to work effectively? |
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The WP3000 system is designed to cool 30F cooler than the temperature of the room to which the unit is exhausting. If the room temperature rises above 85F, the unit will lose it's ability to cool to 55F. Because of the coolness of the ambient air, basements are a great choice for your cellar. |
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Will higher BTU ouput provide more than 30F cooling of the outside air? |
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A higher BTU output (ex. 6000BTU) will not be any more effective than a 3000BTU unit. A larger unit will not compensate for larger temperature variations. |
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Why is only a 3000BTU unit available from Wine Products, Inc.? |
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3000BTU works best for most popular installations. Larger units at 6000 and 8000BTUs will require a larger amperage electrical circuit. These larger units also do not promote circulation efficiently and hot spots can develop in the cellar. For larger installations requiring more cooling, we recommend installing two (2) WP3000 units. This will have the advantage of using existing electrical circuits, plus a more uniform temperature control. As an added benefit, one unit can act as a backup in case a failure does occur. |
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Where in the cellar should I mount the WP3000? |
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The ideal cellar design for our system is within 12 to 18 inches of the ceiling. This will reduce temperature stratification and promote circulation for the most uniform temperatures. |
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Do we require a bottle probe? |
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No. Our design controls temperature in a gentle, uniform fashion similar to a bottle probe, without the mainenance problems of broken or corroded wires that are inherent to such a device. |
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Why does the WP3000 system cool air slowly? |
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Our system is designed to maintain the humidity in your cellar. Rapid cooling results in the removal of humidity, reducing moisture. Dehumidified air is desirable in room air conditioning, but not in a wine cellar. In a wine cellar, humidity is maintained to avoid the drying of corks. |
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How important is insulation? |
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You must have insulation for your cellar to perform properly. If the walls are not insulated, hot spots will develop which will affect the aging of your wine. It is recommended you use "Rigid Foam" or closed cell insulation. Although wine cellars are sometimes constructed with fiberglass or "blown in" insulation, this is less desirable. Mold formation is more likely to be a problem. A moisture barrier is always a good idea. A vapor barrier is commonly added to help control the warm moist air from the outside and reatin humidity in the dry areas of the cellar. |
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