Swamp cooler problems
 

Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads getting
little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes and they seem
to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is plugged up. Anyone
have any ideas to clear it without disassembling the whole distribution
system? Temps are well above 100 and will get worse as time goes on. I'm 78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting tube
from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I don't have
much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

On Jun 3, 7:56*am, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads getting
little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes and they seem
to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is plugged up. Anyone
have any ideas to clear it without disassembling the whole distribution
system? Temps are well above 100 and will get worse as time goes on. I'm 78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting tube
from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I don't have
much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

You might try using an arts-and-craft pipe cleaner in the hub. Since
there is no electrical/mechanical mechanism in the hub, it basically
has to be a clog. I would start by cleanning the hub as good as can
be, then crimp off the known-good lines. This would allow more water
pressure thru the bad lines. Hopefully this helps dislodge the
blockage.

Of course, this is easier said than done, if you're on a hot roof, or
up on a ladder. Good luck with it.

Robin

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 6/3/13 9:56 AM, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads getting
little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes and they seem
to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is plugged up. Anyone
have any ideas to clear it without disassembling the whole distribution
system? Temps are well above 100 and will get worse as time goes on. I'm 78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting tube
from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I don't have
much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA



Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Swamp cooler problems
 

On Jun 3, 8:56*am, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads getting
little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes and they seem
to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is plugged up. Anyone
have any ideas to clear it without disassembling the whole distribution
system? Temps are well above 100 and will get worse as time goes on. I'm 78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting tube
from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I don't have
much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

You need something acidic to dissolve built-up crud. Try vinegar
first, then stronger stuff if that fails.

Swamp cooler problems
 

rlz wrote in
:

On Jun 3, 7:56*am, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will get
worse as time goes on. I'm
78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

You might try using an arts-and-craft pipe cleaner in the hub. Since
there is no electrical/mechanical mechanism in the hub, it basically
has to be a clog. I would start by cleanning the hub as good as can
be, then crimp off the known-good lines. This would allow more water
pressure thru the bad lines. Hopefully this helps dislodge the
blockage.

Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?


Of course, this is easier said than done, if you're on a hot roof, or
up on a ladder. Good luck with it.

Robin




--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 9:56 AM, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will get
worse as time goes on. I'm 78 with back problems. Anything other than
hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA



Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler pump?
If so, I'll try it.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK wrote:


Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...

Swamp cooler problems
 

" wrote in
:

On Jun 3, 8:56*am, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will get
worse as time goes on. I'm
78
with back problems. Anything other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

You need something acidic to dissolve built-up crud. Try vinegar
first, then stronger stuff if that fails.

I have a gallon of distilled white binegar. Say put the cooler pump in a
baking pan, add three cups of vinegar, turn on. Better yet, as some one
else suggested, plug the working lines to concentrate the vinegar where
it is needed.

Problem I see is that quite possibly the house will smell of ninegar, or
if that doesn't work, perhaps swimming pool acid, for a few months. I
don't think the vinegar or acid will harm the pump, pads, etc. when it
gets mixed into all the cooler water.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

Oren wrote in news:9ajpq85a98rv2hku9bejhlo2gs4r73su27@
4ax.com:

On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK wrote:


Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...


Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.



--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 6/3/2013 10:57 AM, KenK wrote:
Oren wrote in news:9ajpq85a98rv2hku9bejhlo2gs4r73su27@
4ax.com:

On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK wrote:


Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...


Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.




they make plugs for 1/8" tubing. available in the drip irrigation system
area of home depot.

it's not very high pressure. i would bet duct tape would work for
temporary plugs.

Swamp cooler problems
 

chaniarts wrote in
:

On 6/3/2013 10:57 AM, KenK wrote:
Oren wrote in
news:9ajpq85a98rv2hku9bejhlo2gs4r73su27@ 4ax.com:

On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK wrote:


Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the
other tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I
don't have any. A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything
else commonly avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...


Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.




they make plugs for 1/8" tubing. available in the drip irrigation
system area of home depot.

it's not very high pressure. i would bet duct tape would work for
temporary plugs.


I'll bet you're right on the duct tape! Thanks. Saves me a trip to
HD/Lowes.




--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 3 Jun 2013 17:57:00 GMT, KenK wrote:

Oren wrote in news:9ajpq85a98rv2hku9bejhlo2gs4r73su27@
4ax.com:

On 3 Jun 2013 16:53:32 GMT, KenK wrote:


Good! Hadn't thought of that. Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...


Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.

Um, bottle corks (cork or plastic) or whittle a tree limb to fit....

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 3 Jun 2013 18:18:32 GMT, KenK wrote:

I'll bet you're right on the duct tape! Thanks. Saves me a trip to
HD/Lowes.


"We all know there's nothing duct tape can't do. This makes it
official"

_Paraplegic mum goes duct-taped surfing on South Australia's West
Coast _

Cool video:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/paraplegic-mum-goes-duct-taped-surfing-on-south-australias-west-coast/story-e6frea83-1226655084953

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 6/3/13 12:55 PM, KenK wrote:
Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 9:56 AM, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will get
worse as time goes on. I'm 78 with back problems. Anything other than
hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA



Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler pump?
If so, I'll try it.



I was thinking that if the normal flow and pressure is not clearing
the blockage, you need something to reverse the pressure and flow.

Perhaps you could try "reverse blowing" the lines and hub with water
pressure from a garden hose. Might be a bit messy !

Swamp cooler problems
 

That dustoff stuff is probably hydro-bromo-choloro-fluoro-metzo-piano-carbons, and does a lot of damage to the Bozone slayer.

I'd think some CLR or dilute muriatic acid sprayed into the system, to dissolve the calcium scale. But, I'm probably out inspace.
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..
..
"Retired" wrote in message ...

Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Swamp cooler problems
 

Can you run one of these from below?
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-s...ner-96043.html
Clear out the calcium buildup?
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..
..
"KenK" wrote in message ...


Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler pump?
If so, I'll try it.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

Whittle stick in shape of tapered cork plug.
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..
..
"KenK" wrote in message ...
Now to think of a way to block the other
tubes. Modelling clay or putty first comes to mind but I don't have any.
A quick consideration doesn't come up with anything else commonly
avaiable. Caulk too permanent. Ideas anyone?

If the tubes are soft, you can try to pinch them closed?

Small vise grips, hemostats...


Nope. Hard, brittle plastic.

Swamp cooler problems
 

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
:

Whittle stick in shape of tapered cork plug.
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org


Discovered this morning a sharpened pencil plugs a line nicely. That and a
little duct or even Scotch tape should do it.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 12:55 PM, KenK wrote:
Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 9:56 AM, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will
get worse as time goes on. I'm 78 with back problems. Anything
other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA



Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler
pump? If so, I'll try it.



I was thinking that if the normal flow and pressure is not clearing
the blockage, you need something to reverse the pressure and flow.

Perhaps you could try "reverse blowing" the lines and hub with water
pressure from a garden hose. Might be a bit messy !



That's an interesting idea. Could well work. But have to figure out how
to channel the hose outlet into that little plastic line. Duct tape
again? It'd probably come loose.

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in
:

Can you run one of these from below?
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-s...-trap-cleaner-
96043.html
Clear out the calcium buildup?
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


ID of tubing is 3/15. I doubt that a 3/16 snake would fit and follow bends.
Besides, Dial Cooler Parts makes a cooler snake which I already tried
several times.


--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Swamp cooler problems
 

On 6/4/13 1:06 PM, KenK wrote:
Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 12:55 PM, KenK wrote:
Retired wrote in
:

On 6/3/13 9:56 AM, KenK wrote:
Problems with swamp cooler water distribution. One of three pads
getting little water. Tried pushing a small snake through the tubes
and they seem to be clear. Evidently the water distribution hub is
plugged up. Anyone have any ideas to clear it without disassembling
the whole distribution system? Temps are well above 100 and will
get worse as time goes on. I'm 78 with back problems. Anything
other than hiring ($$$$) it done?

All I can think of is to remove the hose and screwed in connecting
tube from the hub and try to poke a wire into the troubled tubes. I
don't have much faith in that idea and it will be very difficult to
get at.

Suggestions? Probably no easy way.

TIA



Consider trying to blow the tubes/hub clear with a can of compressed
air. Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot etc) sell them for
cleaning computers, printers, etc.

Think that will work better than the water pressure from the cooler
pump? If so, I'll try it.



I was thinking that if the normal flow and pressure is not clearing
the blockage, you need something to reverse the pressure and flow.

Perhaps you could try "reverse blowing" the lines and hub with water
pressure from a garden hose. Might be a bit messy !



That's an interesting idea. Could well work. But have to figure out how
to channel the hose outlet into that little plastic line. Duct tape
again? It'd probably come loose.


Perhaps with something like this fitting used on drip lines

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DIG-Corp-...4#.Ua5TxOvrkfo

Swamp cooler problems
 

And I had a tooth ache yesterday, so I was sick.

If the foo....
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bbowm.../foo_bird.html
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..
..
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message ...
.
You are a sick racist nutcase!


What's a racist? Is that someone who likes NASCAR or NHRA drag racing? o_O

TDD