Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain

Operating Instructions: Do not run dry. Pet Fountain: 1. Inspect the bottom of the fountain to be sure the motor is securely attached. 2. Remove the housing cover (lid) and insert the filter cartridge down into the well in the housing. It fits in the well diagonally. The bottom of the filter is narrower than the top and black side faces outward (toward the spout). If the fit is too light, it is either in upside down or in the wrong groove at the front (move it back one groove). Rinsing the filter before use will help remove any loose bits of charcoal, which are harmless. 3. Place the fountain in the desired location before adding the reservoir. The use of a protective surface is recommended when placing on carpet or hardwood floors. 4. Fill both the bowl and the fountain housing with water only until the water reaches the fill level in the bowl. Over filling may result in too much splash during use. 5. Make certain the cord and plug are dry, then plug into a polarized outlet (one slot is larger than the other). The plug will only fit into a polarized outlet. Do not attempt to force the plug into an old, unsafe outlet. Use a UL approved adapter if necessary. The notches at the back of the fountain are a pass-through for the cord. They are not for holding the cord snugly, which might damage the cord. The cord should be passed through vertically. Do not turn the cord horizontally and force into a notch as this may damage the cord and create a hazard. 6. Fill the reservoir with water. 7. Check the lid to make sure the black O ring is in place, then screw the lid onto the container. 8. Hold the container over the reservoir base of the fountain. Quickly turn the reservoir upside down and place the lid's spout into the reservor base. 9. Set the desired flow rate with the flow control knob, which is next to the ramp inside the bowl. 10. Add water to the reservoir when it appears low or slowly pour water directly into the bowl. For quietest operation, fill bowl to the fill level. A gentle hum during normal operation is to be expected. During regular use, do not allow the water level to fall below the inlet grate on the bottom of the flow control knob, or the motor may run dry. Cleaning Filters: 1. Filters should be changed every four to six weeks. Replace filters more frequently when using the fountain for multiple dogs and dogs that produce a lot of salive. 2. For replacement filters, visit a pet store near you or call 866-322-2530. 3. Filters may be rinsed out when the fountain is cleaned. Do not wash with soapy water since you cannot remove all the soap residue. 4. Filters are added feature of the fountain. Their use is not required for normal operation. Fountain: Lack of cleaning may result in loss of normal function! Clean the fountain and the inside cavity of the motor with soapy water about every two weeks. In between (weekly), take apart rinse with hot water. 1.Lift the reservoir container out of the back of the fountain and quickly turn upright. 2. Unscrew the reservoir lid and remove the O ring. 3. Unplug the fountain, remove the cover and pull out the filter. 4. Empty water out of the fountain. 5. Remove the upper housing of the fountain by pressing in the tabs at the sides and lifting up. 6. The flow control knob and stator are not attached and are freed when the housing is removed. 7. Remove motor from fountain (see motor cleaning instructions). 8. Hand wash the rest of the fountain parts with a mild detergent and rinse well. If your dishwasher runs too hot the plastic may be damaged. The reservoir is not dishwasher safe. 9. Use a bottle brush or aquarium brush to clean the square intake tube in the filter housing. Motor: 1. Cleaning the motor is important! The insde cavity of the motor must be cleaned every two weeks or the warranty will be voided. 2. Turn the bowl over and remove the motor from its cavity by slipping your finger into the indentation behind the motor and pulling that end of the motor out toward you so that it has turned a quarter of a turn. 3. Now that the motor is unlocked, it may be pulled away from bowl. If you find it difficult, you can push it out from the bowl side. (Note: to make removal easier, place a light coat of pretroleum jelly around the rubber O ring before reinstalling). 4. Carefully lift the white impeller out of the motor. Remove any hair tangled around it and wash it with the rest of the parts. 5. Pour soapy water down into the inner cavity of the motor and scrub with small round bristle brush or cotton swab. Rinse well and replace the impeller after it is cleaned. Reassembly of your fountain after cleaning: 1. Turn the bowl over. Reattach the motor by pushing the threads of the motor through its hole in the bowl. The motor goes in at a right angle to the bowl (as it was when you pulled it out to remove it.) In order for the motor to screw or turn into place, the threads must be pushed past the threads of the bowl. If you cannot turn the motor into its resting position, it is not pushed into the hole as far as it will go. 2. Turn the motor back into its resting position by pushing the end that is jutting out towards the bowl. The motor should now be even with the bottom of the bowl. 3. Place the stator over the nect of the motor. Make certain it is straight, (in the 12 o'clock position). 4. Join the flow control knob and stator together by placing the tabs of the knob into the groove of the stator. 5. Hold these parts in place with one hand while attaching the housing with the other hand. Attach the housing by just sliding the cutout in the well of the housing down IN Between the control knob and the stator. 6. The housing will click into place when the tabs on its sides enter the slots in the bowl. There is an alignment peg in the bowl for stability which will automatically be joined with the corresponding hollow tube under the housing. 7. Replace the O ring in the reservoir lid before inserting the reservoir in the base. 8. Check the power cord for any damage before plugging in the fountain. The fountain and your environment. If you life in a humid environment and have problems with mold or algae, (the parts may feel 'slimy'), simply soak all parts in a diluted bleach solution for about 10 minutes after regular cleaning. (Use one or two cups of bleach in a sink full of water). Pour some of the bleach solution down into the motor cavity, too. This is also an excellent way to disinfect the fountain. You must be sure to rinse all the parts very well to remove all the chlorine. The best way to rinse out the motor cavity is to hold it under a weak stream of water. If you have "hard water" you may start to see white mineral deposits on or down inside the motor. This may eventually prevent the impeller from turning properly. To avoid having to replace the motor: A. Clean the motor more frequently than you have in the past; or B. Clean with a vinegar solution and let the solution soak for several minutes down inside the cavity; or C. Use bottled water. Tips on use: When being introduced to the Drinkwell Big Dog Fountain, your pet may be cautious of this new and unusual object. After beginning operation of your Fountain, simply allow your pet to adjust at his or her own pace. Some pets take several days or longer to begin use. Your pet may prefer that the Fountain be placed away from their normal feeding area. Try plugging it in somewhere else, like the laundry room, a bathroom or another corner of the kitchen. Add ice cubes to the bowl for refreshing, ice-cold running water! Manufacturer's safety instructions 1. While the capacity of the next generation Fountain has been increased, it is not recommended that any appliance be left running unattended for a prolonged period of time as the water may get used or evaporate and cause the motor to run dry.