Aprilaire 560 Install Questions

MisterTFM

Howdie all, I am new to this forum.

A friend of mine gave me an older model Aprilaire 560 Humidifier, the price I couldn't beat, it was FREE.

I checked it over electrically, the 24 vac transformer, the water inlet valve and the humidistat are all in working condition. I can get the water valve to cycle turning the humidistat up and down. So I'm ready to install it on my furnance. If it does what I expect, I may someday upgrade to an automatic humidistat with an outdoor sensor.

I need to get some replacement water panels, a saddle valve and a new inlet screen filter and I'll be ready.

Anyway, before I start cutting ductwork, my first question, is what side should the unit be mounted, supply or return? Is there an advantage to either one, and if so, why ?

I read thru the owners manual, but it doesn't exactly explain the advantages or disadvantages of which side to mount it.

I have a Lennox, G26 furnace with a\c. Just above heat chamber, and on the right side, there are two, 2 inch PVC pipes ( outside air, intake and exhaust ) in the way of making this an easy install. I can cut and replumb these if necessary to mount the humidifier on the supply side. Otherwise, I may have to install the bypass ductwork on that side.

I can also post pics if that will help clarify my install.

TIA.

harleyrider

I am a 30 year veteran of the HVAC industry, i have installed literally thousands of humidifiers.....and with out question the return is the place to install them, also make sure you connect them to the cold water and not the hot.

also......here is a link that should be the holy grail of humidifier installs

New humidifier install

MisterTFM

Mounting the humidifier on the return side will definitely make the install easier.

Using COLD water also answers one of my next questions.

However, I use well water with a softener. Should I tap off the HARD or SOFT water side of the COLD ?

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Also, my furnace has a Little Giant, VCMA-15UL pump for collecting and pumping condensation to an overhead drain. Can I plumb the Aprilaire water panel drain into the Little Giant pump ?

http://franklin-electric.com/media/d...atalog_web.pdf

MisterTFM

Should I plumb in SOFT or HARD water ?

jacket4

The AprilAire 600 manual recommends using hot water. Why do you recommend cold?

Also, can you explain why the return is a better place to install it?

Thanks