Rinsed my humidifier with water and wiped the base down, refilled it and now it seems to be making the mist in the base butbisnt making it's way out of the mouth of the dolphin

Here are the instructions for the Mainstays Cool Mist Humidifier 1 gal MDH-0103JW:

1. Remove the water tank by lifting it straight up and off the base.
2. Turn the water tank over and remove the tank cap by turning it counterclockwise.
3. Fill the tank with cool water and replace the cap by turning it clockwise.
4. Place the tank back onto the base, making sure it is seated securely.
5. Plug the humidifier into an electrical outlet.
6. Press the power button to turn on the humidifier. The power light will illuminate.
7. Press the mist button to select the desired mist output level.
8. The humidifier will automatically shut off when the water level in the tank is low.
9. To refill the tank, repeat steps 1-4.

Note: For optimal performance, it is recommended to clean the humidifier weekly. Please refer to the user manual for detailed cleaning instructions.

Generally, with that model, even a small amount too much water in the resevoir will cause it to spit like crazy, making quite a mess. Also, I know that many folk have been using salt to make the humidifier run better... you will find that it works well even without salt. Andrew's idea of using CLR to clean the boiler is an excellent idea as well.

I have had times where my Crane humidifier won't produce mist if I haven't turned it on for several days (4+) or more. The water that sits in the reservoir may develop a film on the ultrasonic element which inhibits the creation of the mist to come out the top of your humidifier. I would lift off the tank and empty the reservoir. Then VERY GENTLY with a piece of paper towel, wipe the ultrasonic element (looks like a disk the size of a quarter at the bottom of the reservoir) to clean off any film. Then replace the tank and let the reservoir fill up the tank and try it again.

If your humidifier runs properly for a minute and then makes a whirring noise and goes silent (like the motor stopping), then it's a motor problem. The humidifier motor may have gone out of alignment due to bumping or rough handling of the humidifier when cleaning or emptying it. If that is the case, you will have to empty the humidifier reservoir, unscrew the base, and find the screws holding down the motor and check for misalignment. Loosen them a little and put it back together and try again.

Best of luck
thebqe

I had the same problem. Looked up the manual online. Red light indicates water level is low I had just refilled the tank so that was not the problem but manual said to make sure water tank was firmly, securely seated on base. I unplugged the unit, unscrewed the plug on the tank and screwed it back on and then made sure the tank was securely seated on the base, plugged it in and it started working. If the tank is full you may just have to make sure the tank is fitting properly in the base.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS (from the manual):

The following maintenance procedures must be routinely followed in order to ensure proper, efficient operation of your humidifier. The unit WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY if it is not cleaned properly.

When the unit is in use, daily and weekly maintenance is recommended. Regular weekly cleaning prevents scale buildup on the heating element and base. It also prevents micro-organisms from growing on the base. This ensures that maximum efficiency will be achieved.

We cannot over-emphasize how essential proper cleaning is to the maintenance and continued use of your unit and to the the avoidance of algae or bacteria build-up.

DAILY MAINTENANCE
Allow to cool before maintenance.
1. Before cleaning, set the control to OFF (O) position and unplug the unit from the electrical outlet.
2. Remove the water tank then unlock the misting chamber by rotating the safety lock towards the front of the unit. Lift mist chamber from the unit's base.
3. Empty water and minerals from the base and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. This will remove any sediment and dirt that has accumulated in the base.
NOTE: It is imperative that the base is cleaned properly. The base is dishwasher safe (top rack ONLY) for easy cleaning.
4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool.
5. Replace misting chamber and engage safety lock. The Electronic Thermal Control Heating element is lined with a coating that is designed to provide the easiest cleaning and prolong the operating efficiency of the humidifier. DO NOT use any metal or hard objects to clean the Heating Element. Never use detergents, gasoline, kerosene, glass cleaner, furniture polish, paint thinner or other household solvents to clean any part of the humidifier.

WEEKLY MAINTENANCE
Remove Scale: Allow to cool before maintenance.
1. Repeat steps 1-5 in the Daily Maintenance section.
2. Clean the tray by partially filling the base with one 8 oz. cup of undiluted white vinegar. Let solution stand 20 minutes, cleaning all interior surfaces with a soft brush. Dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe out entire base to remove scale.
3. Rinse with clean warm water to remove scale and the white vinegar solution before beginning to disinfect the tank.
4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool.

Disinfect Tank:
1. Fill tank with 1/2 teaspoon of chlorine bleach and 1/2 gallon of water.
2. Let the solution stand for 20 minutes, swishing every few minutes. Wet all surfaces.
3. Empty the tank after 20 minutes, and rinse well with water until the bleach smell is gone. Dry with a clean cloth of paper towel.
4. Refill the water tank with cool water; replace the housing and water tank. Repeal ALL Operating Instructions.

It may have a scale and calcium build up. Particularly, if you use well water.

To clean it, unplug the unit and empty in water that is in the tank. Mix a 50/50 solution of White Vinegar and Bottled Distilled Water (enough to fill the tank. Pour the solution in the tank and allow it to set for 2 hours. Then turn the humidifier ON and place you hand in front of the misting nozzle , to feel if it's working. If it is, allow it to run until the tank is 3/4's empty, Empty te tank of the remaining solution and refill the tank with more Bottled Distilled Water and run for an hour. This will flush the 50/50 solution out of the system. It it wasn't working when you first tested it, allow it to set over night and try again the next morning.

In the future, use Bottled Distilled Water rather than tap water.

95% of the time, this will solve the problem. I hope this helped you. Please let me know.

I'm no expert, but a friend of mine loaned me her humidifier recently and she just put some bleach and water in the tank and cleaned the tank with that. It did leave a smell of bleach in the tank that could be smelled any time it ran, but after a few refillings, it went away, and I figure if it smells there must be a little left, which means it should clean the working parts fairly well too. (while you're running it the first few times) And the medicine tray in the SWM5250 is dishwasher safe, so I would just run that through the dishwasher, but bleach should be fine for that too.

ask at http://manualfox.com/link/sunbeam.htm
They will find it for you.

FILLING THE WATER TANKS
1. Before filling the water tanks, push the POWER switch to the “OFF” position and
unplug unit. Refer to cleaning instructions.
2. Remove water tanks from base, turn each tank upside down and remove tank cap
by turning counterclockwise. Fill tank with clean cold tap water.
Replace the tank cap by turning clockwise. Tighten firmly.
3. Carefully pick up tank, since it will be heavy when full, and slippery if wet.
4. Place water tanks on base. Make sure tanks are properly placed, otherwise, the
humidifier will not work correctly.

For Model V745A Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier:

Weekly Maintenance (Removing Scale)

1. Turn the switch to off and unplug the corn from the wall.
2. Remove Water Tank and empty any remaining water from the water tank.
3. Remove Medicine Cup from the Cooling chamber from the Base. Carefully remove the Cooling Chamber and Removable Water Tray from the Base.
4. Soak the Removable Water Tray in a solution of white vinegar and water for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and then wipe dry with a soft clean cloth.
5. Fill the heating chamber with undiluted white vinegar. Let stand for 20 minutes. Dampen soft, clean cloth or sponge with undiluted white vinegar and wipe out Heating chamber to remove scale. DO NOT use soap, detergents or abrasive cleaners.
6. Rinse the Heating Chamber using clean warm water, being careful not to submerge the base in water.
7. The Water Tray, medicine Cup, and Cooling Chamber are top shelf dishwasher safe.