I need an owner's maunal for a Sunbeam SWM5251 humidifier

in the water tray

Actually, Carol, it shouldn't be necessary to take the unit apart. Mix a 50/50 solution of White Distilled Vinegar and Bottled Distilled Water (enough to fill the tank). Pour the solution in and allow it to sit overnight. Then empty the solution and fill the tank with Bottled Distilled Water. Turn the unit ON and allow it to run for 1 hour. Then empty any remaining Distilled Water. Doing all the aforementioned, should have not only cleaned the filter, but also the unit itself. If you use Bottled Distilled Water in the future, rater than tap water, the filter and the plumbing of the unit will stay clean longer and will require less maintenance.

Hope this helped you. Please let me know. Thanks.

You may, but more than likely, the air intake filer needs to be cleaned and the compressor coils wiped down and cleaned. After cleaning the coils, a light coat of WD40 helps to preserve them.

Before attempting any cleaning or service work, turn the unit OFF and unplug it from the wall outlet and allow it to thoroughly thaw. Keep in mind, a dehumidifier will freeze up, if the room temperature is below 40 degrees. Also, where you have it installed may be a problem. Particuarly, a basement. Where the air temperature is colder at floor level.

In case you have misplaced your Owners Manual, I have included a link to it that you can download & print for future reference. Be advised, your Model Number is not for a Sunbeam Dehumidifier, it's for a Comfort Aire dehumidifier that's manufactured by Heat Controller Inc.

http://www.sylvane.com/images/prodphoto/co758/comfort-aire-product-manual-501-651-D.pdf

I hope this helps you solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

This Humidifier is also a Fedders brand. I found an Owner's Manual.

Press and hold the Mist button for three seconds, the change light will blink and shut off. This is for a demineralization cartridge that you can buy separately it will turn on again after 30 days of use

If the room tempature is close to 60, the coils may be frozen (completely encased in ice). If this is the case, move it where the water can drain off - about 1 gallon which may NOT run into the drain bucket.
I out mine over the floor drain.
Turn off and it will defost over night.
Only specially made dehumidifers work below a room temo of 60 degrees (the temp of a basement in winter).
Does it need to be running? A digital humidity sensot from Radio Shack is cheap and may tell you the humidity is OK - only 50% or less.

please double check the model number:
http://www.sunbeam.com/Category.aspx?section=health-and-home&cid=263

check the manual, it will be described there. if you don´t have one, ask here: http://manualfox.com/link/sunbeam.htm

Just found an owners manual for the sunbeam version - p1 = defrosting. It will restart after it defrosts.

http://www.sunbeammajorappliances.com/pdf/Dehumidifiers%20manual%2020070122.pdf