Evaporative coolers are referred to as swamp coolers and are very common in hot, dry climates. The term swamp cooler is derived from how the unit works to cool the air. Water is pumped from a reservoir in the bottom of the unit and run through a fiber matting filter. Outside air is cooled when an air compressor blows it through the wet filter into the house lowering the inside temperature. Swamp coolers work well in a non-humid environment, cost about one half of what air conditioners cost to install and use about one quarter of the energy, according to the Department of Energy.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power switch in the house to the swamp cooler. Place a strip of tape over the switch as well and tell everyone in the house to leave it off. Remove the filter on one side of the cooler to access the inside. For additional safety, unplug the fan motor located at the top of the inside of the cooler.
2. Place the water distribution assembly, or spider, which consists of the central assembly and the eight tubes that carry the water to the filters, under the existing one and zip-tie it loosely in place. Position the curved ends of the distribution tubes so they empty into the trough over the top of the filter frames. The tubes will probably be too long. Cut the tubes to fit by cutting off the straight end where they fit into the central assembly, not the curved end.
3. Take the new spider down while making sure to keep track of how the distribution tubes are placed. Apply glue to the ends of the tubes and place them in the holes in the central assembly with the curved ends pointing down into the trough over the filters.
4. Install the pump by placing the net filter on the basket, the basket in the water in the bottom reservoir and the pump in the basket.
5. Attach the plastic water supply line to the pump with a hose clamp and run it from the pump up to the central assembly inlet port of the spider. Cut it to the indicated length and attach it to the spider assembly with a hose clamp.
6. Have someone inside the house turn on the pump switch. Verify that the water is running without any leaks, is filling the troughs and that the filters are correctly placed.
7. Adjust the float in the reservoir by bending the float arm much like adjusting the float in a toilet tank. The idea is to keep the water level just below the top of the waste water overflow tube.
8. Replace the electric fan motor, if necessary, by loosening the bolt on the slide mount and installing the new motor. Adjust the motor in the slide mount so that the fan belt applies adequate pressure to turn the flywheel and tighten the holding bolt.
9. Change out the fan belt by loosening the motor in the slide mount, placing the new belt over the motor's flywheel and over the flywheel that turns the fan blades. Adjust the motor in the slide mount so that it exerts adequate tension to turn the fan blades.
Tips Warnings
Enlist someone to stay on the ground and operate the cooler switch in the house.
If the cooler is on the roof, take up all tools and materials before the project begins so it won't be necessary to run up and down the ladder.
Have a cell phone connection to the person on the ground to facilitate communication.
Have a garden hose available for general cleaning tasks while on the roof.
Do not attempt to adjust the fan belt while the unit is running.
Observe safety rules on a pitched roof. Do not attempt to chase down tools or parts that are rolling off the roof. Let the person on the ground retrieve them.
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