How to Service an Evaporative Cooler

      Periodic maintenance or servicing is a must for keeping that evaporative cooler in tiptop condition for the summer cooling months. The base of an evaporative cooler is filled with water. The water level is maintained by a float valve that keeps fresh water in contact with a circulation pump. The water pump pushes water to an upper distribution tray that has many holes drilled into its bottom. These holes allow the water to flow over and through a cardboard-type structure called a "cooling pad" This wet cell allows the outdoor air to pass through it by the use of a suction fan that blows the water-cooled air into the home. 

    Follow the steps below to service an evaporative cooler:
    1. Shut off the cooler and carefully remove the cooling pad from the cooler unit.
    2. Inspect the cooling pad for any damage or signs of severe mold and algae growth. If the cooling pads are damaged, they should be replaced.
    3. Pour a cup of the household bleach into the water reservoir and allow the unit to run for 20 to 30 minutes. This allows the bleach water to disinfect and cycle though all the water piping.
    4. Shut off the unit and open the basin drain located under the reservoir pan. Drain the reservoir of all liquid and leave the valve in the open position.
    5. Use the scrub brush to thoroughly clean all the exposed metal surfaces. You may want to keep the area wetted down if it begins to dry out.
    6. Flush the unit with fresh water and allow the reservoir to drain empty of all liquid before closing the valve.
    7. Fill the water reservoir using the float valve and run the circulation pump when the reservoir is full. Check for any leaks that may have cropped up from cleaning the unit.
    8. Replace the cooling pad with the existing ones, or install new wet cells if they appear to be damaged.

    9. Test the unit for full operation. You should feel and smell fresh, moist, clean air.

                                         

Evaporative air cooler

    Mold or algae growth can be controlled by adding an algaecide to the water basin. Follow all directions if you add a solution of algaecide to the water reservoir. Different manufacturers have different directions for its use. Perform a monthly inspection of the above steps for the evaporative cooler (swamp cooler). The cleaner the system, the more efficiently the air can pass through the wet cells.
    Some cooling pads made from natural materials like wood are easily damaged by cleaning. Contact the manufacturer if you are unsure of whether or not the cooling pads in the cooler unit are reusable.

How to Install an Evaporative Cooler Motor

  The evaporative cooler is an ingeniously simple machine. It allows the average homeowner the opportunity to handle the routine maintenance of the unit on his own. You may find that the motor on your evaporative cooler needs replacing. If so, there are easy steps that you can do to replace and install a new motor in under an hour. Follow the steps below to install an evaporative cooler motor.

   1.Take off the bolts on the old motor that are used to adjust the tension on   the belt. Remove the belt, and inspect it for wear. You may want to take this opportunity to replace the belt, as well.

   2. Remove the bolt holding the motor pulley, and pull the pulley off the motor.

   3. Remove the bolts from the brackets that attach the motor to the cooler. Your motor will be held in by these brackets, which may swing in an arc, or slide on a track. This movement allows for the adjustment of the belt tension.
                                         

Evaporative air cooler

   

   4. Attach the new motor to the brackets with the bolts, and fasten securely.

   5. Slide the motor pulley on to the new motor shaft. Before tightening the bolts for the pulley, make sure that the motor pulley is in direct alignment with the blower pulley, so that the belt will track correctly when turning. Once aligned, tighten the bolts securely.

   6. Slide the belt over both the motor pulley and the blower pulley. Lift the motor along the tracks or slots to increase the tension on the belt. The belt should be at a tension that allows you to push on the midpoint between the pulleys and have the belt move about 1 inch. Once properly adjusted, tighten the bolts to lock the motor in this position.

   7. Refer to the instructions for the new motor to correctly wire it. This is usually a matter of attaching the wires in the same manner as the old motor. You have now successfully installed a new evaporative motor.

  If you have experience replacing and adjusting belts in automobiles, take note that an evaporative cooler belt should not have anywhere near that much tension. Putting too much tension on the belt may cause the new motor to burn out.