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JK
 
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Default swamp cooler question

Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float. Anybody
have any experience with this?


  #2   Report Post  
Grandpa Koca
 
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JK wrote:
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float. Anybody
have any experience with this?


Depends on the brand of cooler. But since I can't see it from here and
you didn't tell us what brand you have, its gonna be a major guessing game.

Obvious first cause: It may have a "purge" pump installed, which
periodically dumps the mineral rich water in the pan down the drain. Its
purpose is to delay mineral buildup on the the pads.

A constant trickle would indicate that the float is either stuck open or
set too high. If it only happens when the cooler is running it may have
a "bleed off" to dump a portion of the mineral rich water.

--
Grandpa Koca - SAHD for 6 - Keeper of the Perpetual Kindergarten
My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked. It is price
competitive. If you like, I'll trade for one of yours.
  #3   Report Post  
SQLit
 
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Default


"JK" wrote in message
news:GS%oe.1683$xr.37@fed1read05...
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on

the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever

it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.

Anybody
have any experience with this?


No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way

Now days there are two pumps in coolers. One to cycle the water over pad.
The other one dumps the pan water out ever so often, some are as little as 4
hours and I have seen 12 hour ones. This pump will look exactly (to the
untrained eye) like the circulating pump.

In my coolers I used a pump that would dump the water every 8 hours of run
time. It sure helps keep the crud down.

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year. Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled, belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.




  #4   Report Post  
JK
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I'm pretty sure it's purging the water since it occurs at certain times, and
for certain periods of time. We'll have a guy out to look at it. I did have
one question though: Why is opening the windows dangerous. We do have the
vents that lead up to the attic, but I have also been leaving a window open.
Dangerous in what way?
"SQLit" wrote in message
...

"JK" wrote in message
news:GS%oe.1683$xr.37@fed1read05...
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on

the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever

it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.

Anybody
have any experience with this?


No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way

Now days there are two pumps in coolers. One to cycle the water over pad.
The other one dumps the pan water out ever so often, some are as little as
4
hours and I have seen 12 hour ones. This pump will look exactly (to the
untrained eye) like the circulating pump.

In my coolers I used a pump that would dump the water every 8 hours of run
time. It sure helps keep the crud down.

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year.
Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled,
belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or
fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.






  #5   Report Post  
SQLit
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Burglars love open windows.

Force as much of the air into the attic as you can. It will help your run
time. ( how long you can run your cooler. I used to try to get to 4th of
July).

Do not for get to install the slides when you change over to the a/c.


"JK" wrote in message
news:tn0pe.1688$xr.141@fed1read05...
I'm pretty sure it's purging the water since it occurs at certain times,

and
for certain periods of time. We'll have a guy out to look at it. I did

have
one question though: Why is opening the windows dangerous. We do have the
vents that lead up to the attic, but I have also been leaving a window

open.
Dangerous in what way?
"SQLit" wrote in message
...

"JK" wrote in message
news:GS%oe.1683$xr.37@fed1read05...
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn

on
the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever

it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can

be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.

Anybody
have any experience with this?


No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way

Now days there are two pumps in coolers. One to cycle the water over

pad.
The other one dumps the pan water out ever so often, some are as little

as
4
hours and I have seen 12 hour ones. This pump will look exactly (to the
untrained eye) like the circulating pump.

In my coolers I used a pump that would dump the water every 8 hours of

run
time. It sure helps keep the crud down.

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year.
Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled,
belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps

a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open

the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or
fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.










  #6   Report Post  
Wes Stewart
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 11:13:44 -0700, "JK" wrote:

I'm pretty sure it's purging the water since it occurs at certain times, and
for certain periods of time. We'll have a guy out to look at it. I did have
one question though: Why is opening the windows dangerous. We do have the
vents that lead up to the attic, but I have also been leaving a window open.
Dangerous in what way?


That's the way the druggie thieves and illegal aliens get in.


"SQLit" wrote in message
...

"JK" wrote in message
news:GS%oe.1683$xr.37@fed1read05...
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on

the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever

it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.

Anybody
have any experience with this?


No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way

Now days there are two pumps in coolers. One to cycle the water over pad.
The other one dumps the pan water out ever so often, some are as little as
4
hours and I have seen 12 hour ones. This pump will look exactly (to the
untrained eye) like the circulating pump.

In my coolers I used a pump that would dump the water every 8 hours of run
time. It sure helps keep the crud down.

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year.
Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled,
belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or
fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.






  #7   Report Post  
JK
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ah. I wasn't sure if you mean dangerous in another way.

Good question. Since this is the first time we've had a swamp cooler, not
sure. Will we know when we cannot run it (that is, will it stop blowing cold
air)?

Regarding the closing slides, not sure what those are. Are those the vents
to the attic?
"SQLit" wrote in message
...
Burglars love open windows.

Force as much of the air into the attic as you can. It will help your run
time. ( how long you can run your cooler. I used to try to get to 4th of
July).

Do not for get to install the slides when you change over to the a/c.


"JK" wrote in message
news:tn0pe.1688$xr.141@fed1read05...
I'm pretty sure it's purging the water since it occurs at certain times,

and
for certain periods of time. We'll have a guy out to look at it. I did

have
one question though: Why is opening the windows dangerous. We do have the
vents that lead up to the attic, but I have also been leaving a window

open.
Dangerous in what way?
"SQLit" wrote in message
...

"JK" wrote in message
news:GS%oe.1683$xr.37@fed1read05...
Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn

on
the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ. The cooler seems to
work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever
it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can

be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.
Anybody
have any experience with this?

No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will
not
last long that way

Now days there are two pumps in coolers. One to cycle the water over

pad.
The other one dumps the pan water out ever so often, some are as little

as
4
hours and I have seen 12 hour ones. This pump will look exactly (to
the
untrained eye) like the circulating pump.

In my coolers I used a pump that would dump the water every 8 hours of

run
time. It sure helps keep the crud down.

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year.
Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled,
belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps

a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open

the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or
fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.










  #8   Report Post  
Wes Stewart
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 10:38:45 -0700, "JK" wrote:

Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ.


They're pretty common in my end of AZ. If you're just getting around
to turning it on, you live in the cooler (no pun intended) of AZ.

The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float. Anybody
have any experience with this?


As others have said, that is the purge pump running.


Wes in Tucson

  #9   Report Post  
JK
 
Posts: n/a
Default

LOL. We like it warm in our house.

Thanks.
"Wes Stewart" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 10:38:45 -0700, "JK" wrote:

Just bought a new place about 8 months ago, and have the need to turn on
the
swamp cooler, which are not common here in AZ.


They're pretty common in my end of AZ. If you're just getting around
to turning it on, you live in the cooler (no pun intended) of AZ.

The cooler seems to work
fine. It blows cold air, etc. However, every once and a while, a large
amount of water will be discharged out the discharge hose (or whatever
it's
called, it's a pvc pipe). Some of the research I've seen said this can be
normal. Some other research said I may have a problem with my float.
Anybody
have any experience with this?


As others have said, that is the purge pump running.


Wes in Tucson



  #10   Report Post  
Wes Stewart
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 10:58:19 -0700, "SQLit" wrote:

[snip]

Your cooler should be 100% checked out before you run it every year. Cleaned
top to bottom, new layer of asphalt in the water pan, bearings oiled, belts
checked and or tightened just to hit the high points.


I've never found a coating that stops rust through. Usually they
crack, let some water through and then rust at that point.

The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.

Do you have up ducts in your home? Venting the air into the attic helps a
lot. Cools the attic and then makes the home more comfortable. Leaving
windows open is dangerous now days. If you have a hall gas heater open the
door up, and let the air exhaust there.
Hint you need one up duct for every 12 inches of register length or fraction
there of.

I have lived in AZ for 35 years now.


Practically a newcomer. Coolers are a luxury item



  #11   Report Post  
Luke
 
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Default

On Mon, 6 Jun 2005 12:02:58 -0700, "JK" wrote:

Ah. I wasn't sure if you mean dangerous in another way.


In re open windows: another option if it's "dangerous" to open windows
where you live is to open the fireplace damper if you have one.

Good question. Since this is the first time we've had a swamp cooler, not
sure. Will we know when we cannot run it (that is, will it stop blowing cold
air)?

[snip]

More or less. If it's too humid the swamper will be ineffective. Also,
according to your personal heat tolerance, you may find A/C preferable
if it gets very hot as a swamper usually only lowers the temp 12-15
degrees.

--
Luke
__________________________________________________ ____________________
Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
  #12   Report Post  
G Henslee
 
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Default

SQLit wrote:



No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way



The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.


Can those master cool pads be cleaned?
  #13   Report Post  
SQLit
 
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Default


"G Henslee" wrote in message
...
SQLit wrote:



No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way



The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.


Can those master cool pads be cleaned?


Sort of.. Really depends on how bad they are. If you can see calicum when
they are wet ,,,, bad sign.

The box stores and Pauls Hardware as well as 6 points sell a "cooler
cleaner" by the quart.
Sumphic acid.. and that is spell wrong. I used to pour the whole bottle in
the cooler before I cleaned it out. I know the directions say like half.
Run the cooler for at least an hour. Drain and clean. I use the shop vac.
If the particles on the pad come off; great. If not then you need to decide
if your buying a new pad this year or next. My last 7" pad was just short
of a $100 bucks. I tried the cheapy replacement one ONCE. Get the good
stuff and take care of it.

If your pad is white/chalky when dry not dark paper color forget and buy a
pad now. I went to help a friend once with the understanding that we were
going to fix it right. I took one look at the pad and pulled the top and
threw it away. He freeked. When the new pad was in he remarked "wow there
is a lot of air coming out of that now. "




  #14   Report Post  
G Henslee
 
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Default

SQLit wrote:
"G Henslee" wrote in message
...

SQLit wrote:



No maintenance on the unit and you just turned it on.... Ok. It will not
last long that way


The master cool type pad can last 3-4 years if maintained. The fibrous
(aspen pads) need to be changed yearly.


Can those master cool pads be cleaned?



Sort of.. Really depends on how bad they are. If you can see calicum when
they are wet ,,,, bad sign.

The box stores and Pauls Hardware as well as 6 points sell a "cooler
cleaner" by the quart.
Sumphic acid.. and that is spell wrong. I used to pour the whole bottle in
the cooler before I cleaned it out. I know the directions say like half.
Run the cooler for at least an hour. Drain and clean. I use the shop vac.
If the particles on the pad come off; great. If not then you need to decide
if your buying a new pad this year or next. My last 7" pad was just short
of a $100 bucks. I tried the cheapy replacement one ONCE. Get the good
stuff and take care of it.

If your pad is white/chalky when dry not dark paper color forget and buy a
pad now. I went to help a friend once with the understanding that we were
going to fix it right. I took one look at the pad and pulled the top and
threw it away. He freeked. When the new pad was in he remarked "wow there
is a lot of air coming out of that now. "





Great info SQLit. Thanks!
  #15   Report Post  
Mark
 
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if you have sliding windows and you want to leave them open a few
inches, get some 1x2 or or similar wood and cut it to length and lay it
in the window tracks so that the window cannot be opened more.

Mark

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