Missing part I bought this humidifier at a yard sale but I think it's missing a part. I have the blue reservoir, the white base, the screw cap. But at the bottom of the inside of the base I feel like there needs to be something to catch the water. I did just buy a filter for it, but I don't know how to install it, or how the water is supposed to reach it. Please help.

The Sunbeam SUL2512 Humidifier has three parts. From the top down:
Water tank
mist collar
Base unit

If the cap of the water tank (which contains a float valve) does not seal you may get excessive flow into the base unit which provides a working reservoir.

The base unit contains all the electronics including the cool mist transducer. This is a silver disk with a black silicone seal surrounding it. This is the only other place a leak can develop.

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

From The Hunter Manual
1. Turn the humidifier ‘OFF’ and unplug the unit.
2. Lift the main housing and remove the water dispersion tray and the PermaWick™ Filters. The motor is attached to the main housing. Do not place the motor near water. Do not use a wet towel on the motor or motor housing as electrical shock may occur.
3. The PermaWick™ Filter should be cleaned in a vinegar and water solution to remove any mineral buildup. Place in a solution of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Allow the filter to soak for 20 minutes.
4. After soaking, rinse it several times with clean water. Place the PermaWick™ Filter in a location where it can drip dry while you clean the other parts of your humidifier.
5. Remove the water tank from the base and empty any water that is left in the tank. Soak the base in a mixture of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes.
6. After soaking, wipe the base with a soft cloth or sponge to remove any mineral build up. Rinse with clean water several times. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, be sure the base is completely dry.
7. Fill the water tank with one (1) gallon of water and eight ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Replace the tank cap and shake the tank vigorously until all interior surfaces of the tank have been exposed to the water/vinegar mixture.
8. Empty the tank of the water/vinegar mixture. Rinse it several times with clean water and then replace the tank cap. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, dry it inside and out, leaving the cap off to allow the tank to completely dry. Continue to clean the other parts of your humidifier.
9. Remove the water diffuser cap by squeezing the two tabs as shown in Figure 3. Rinse the cap in clean water to remove any debris. If the cap contains hard water residue, soak it in a mixture of one (1) quart of water and two (2) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes.
Rinse well and reinstall the water diffuser cap. Do not expose motor or other electrical components to water.
10. Wipe the surfaces of the main housing with a soft cloth.
11. Once all the parts are clean, reassemble the humidifier, and follow the USING YOUR HUMIDIFIER to continue use. If you are storing the humidifier, make sure the parts are completely dry, reassemble, and store in a dry location

From The Hunter 3322 manual.
1. Turn the humidifier ‘OFF’ and unplug the unit.
2. Lift the main housing and remove the water dispersion tray and the PermaWick™ Filters. The motor is attached to the main housing. Do not place the motor near water. Do not use a wet towel on the motor or motor housing as electrical shock may occur.
3. The PermaWick™ Filter should be cleaned in a vinegar and water solution to remove any mineral buildup. Place in a solution of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Allow the filter to soak for 20 minutes.
4. After soaking, rinse it several times with clean water. Place the PermaWick™ Filter in a location where it can drip dry while you clean the other parts of your humidifier.
5. Remove the water tank from the base and empty any water that is left in the tank. Soak the base in a mixture of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes.
6. After soaking, wipe the base with a soft cloth or sponge to remove any mineral build up. Rinse with clean water several times. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, be sure the base is completely dry.
7. Fill the water tank with one (1) gallon of water and eight ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Replace the tank cap and shake the tank vigorously until all interior surfaces of the tank have been exposed to the water/vinegar mixture.
8. Empty the tank of the water/vinegar mixture. Rinse it several times with clean water and then replace the tank cap. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, dry it inside and out, leaving the cap off to allow the tank to completely dry. Continue to clean the other parts of your humidifier.
9. Remove the water diffuser cap by squeezing the two tabs as shown in Figure 3. Rinse the cap in clean water to remove any debris. If the cap contains hard water residue, soak it in a mixture of one (1) quart of water and two (2) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes. 41553-01 01/03/2008 6 © 2008 Hunter Fan Company
Rinse well and reinstall the water diffuser cap. Do not expose motor or other electrical components to water.
10. Wipe the surfaces of the main housing with a soft cloth.
11. Once all the parts are clean, reassemble the humidifier, and follow the USING YOURHUMIDIFIERto continue use. If you are storing the humidifier, make sure the parts are completely dry, reassemble, and store in a dry location

The instruction manual suggests using the water vinegar solution.
The following is from the manual.
1. Turn the humidifier ‘OFF’ and unplug the unit.
2. Lift the main housing and remove the water dispersion tray and the PermaWick™ Filters. The motor is attached to the main housing. Do not place the motor near water. Do not use a wet towel on the motor or motor housing as electrical shock may occur.
3. The PermaWick™ Filter should be cleaned in a vinegar and water solution to remove any mineral buildup. Place in a solution of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Allow the filter to soak for 20 minutes.
4. After soaking, rinse it several times with clean water. Place the PermaWick™ Filter in a location where it can drip dry while you clean the other parts of your humidifier.
5. Remove the water tank from the base and empty any water that is left in the tank. Soak the base in a mixture of one (1) gallon of water and eight (8) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes.
6. After soaking, wipe the base with a soft cloth or sponge to remove any mineral build up. Rinse with clean water several times. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, be sure the base is completely dry.
7. Fill the water tank with one (1) gallon of water and eight ounces of undiluted white vinegar. Replace the tank cap and shake the tank vigorously until all interior surfaces of the tank have been exposed to the water/vinegar mixture.
8. Empty the tank of the water/vinegar mixture. Rinse it several times with clean water and then replace the tank cap. If you are planning on storing the humidifier, dry it inside and out, leaving the cap off to allow the tank to completely dry. Continue to clean the other parts of your humidifier.
9. Remove the water diffuser cap by squeezing the two tabs as shown in Figure 3. Rinse the cap in clean water to remove any debris. If the cap contains hard water residue, soak it in a mixture of one (1) quart of water and two (2) ounces of vinegar for 20 minutes. 41553-01 01/03/2008 6 © 2008 Hunter Fan Company
Rinse well and reinstall the water diffuser cap. Do not expose motor or other electrical components to water.
10. Wipe the surfaces of the main housing with a soft cloth.
11. Once all the parts are clean, reassemble the humidifier, and follow the USING YOURHUMIDIFIERto continue use. If you are storing the humidifier, make sure the parts are completely dry, reassemble, and store in a dry location.

There are a few hose connections inside the unit related to the heater element. Water flows from the reservoir down into the unit, takes a turn into a tube with the heater element wrapped around it, then turns back up into the mister area. Any of the four connections (base to first elbow, elbow to heater tube, heater tube to second elbow or second elbow to base) could be leaking.
The white ring around the mister disk cracked on my unit, letting water leak out the bottom as you describe... Take a close look at that.
It's also possible the base itself is cracked somewhere... Look closely at the mister and reservoir areas of the base for cracks.

Try to just fill the tank with water and set it upright on a table. If it leaks, the tank is cracked and needs to be replaced. Order one at kaz.com (search using model#). I have had this tank leak if the special cap is not sitting properly on the base. Make sure that the steam tower is properly locked in place before you place the water tank in the reservoir. The cap on the tank has a spring release that has to be correctly lined up so it only releases water when the water level in the reservoir drops.

Caring For Your Venta-Sonic Humidifier
IMPORTANT!
Always unplug the unit before cleaning!
When to Clean Your Humidifier

Clean your humidifier weekly or more often during heavy use, depending on your
individual water quality. Clean your humidifier before storing and after long periods
of storage.

When cleaning the inside of your unit, keep water away from the air outlet. Exterior
may be wiped with a damp cloth when unit is off and unplugged.
Cleaning the Oscillator and Water Sensor

Turn off the unit and unplug power cord. Remove tank from base and empty
reservoir in base. Use cleaning brush provided in base to clean off mineral deposits
and sediment from oscillator and water sensor. Do not scrape or clean with tools
that have metal parts. Be careful to not damage the surface of the oscillator.
ATTENTION: Damage to the oscillator may cause the unit to not work properly.

The oscillator (ultrasonic transducer) is highly sensitive. Keep this important part
clean and treat gently. Do not touch the oscillator while the unit is operating.

Do not use soap, cleaning agents, detergents, or other chemicals for cleaning the
tank and humidifier.

After cleaning fill water tank (see instructions above) and return tank to base.
Storing the Venta-Sonic
Switch off and unplug power cord from A/C outlet. Empty remaining water from base
and tank. Clean tank and unit (see for instructions above). Make sure all parts are
thoroughly dry—allow at least 24 hours to dry. Leave the filling cap of the tank
loosened. This will keep the cap and gasket from sticking together. Pack Venta-Sonic
in original packaging and store in a cool and dry place.

You can find your manual at this link:
http://www.venta-sonic.com/pdf/vs207manual.pdf

Good Luck.

I think I found the problem.

unplug humidifer, remove top tank, empty all water out of base. dry off.

turn unit upside down.

unscrew five visible screws.

use a screw driver to pull off the black foam foot pads. you will find more screws there.

pull off the base.

look next to the fan, you will see a metal "tower" going up into the reservoir. Is it dirty such as white chalky substance on it? Clean it with cotton swabs. Clean the fan while your at it if needed.

You will see a small gray box with two metal tabs twisted. Untwist them and pull off the top.

On that metal "tower" you will see a small black chip connected to the circuit board where you just removed the metal top. Does black chip have black marks on the circuit board? Mine does. I suspect the "tower" which draws heat from this black chip was no longer able to cool because of the white chalk buildup on the tower, furthermore, the chip became too hot and caused the black chip to overheat (again black marks on the circuit board).

The chip has on it "FTR 02N" and a "54F" at the bottom. I tried doing some basic searching on internet to see if it could be replaced, but didn't find anything.


For those who don't have this problem yet, just keep that metal cooling tower clean.