Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 27

Thread: Calling all swamp cooler experts

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default Calling all swamp cooler experts

    OK kids, a new one on me, I have a swamp cooler down in the shop, last week it started to act up, it would run OK on high mode for about 5 min, then go into about 3/4 speed, (somewhere between high and low speed) I looked at the AC current and voltage, when it's running right it's 5.1 amps on low (motor and pump) and right on 10.1 amps on high, AC voltage is around 117 VAC, when it acts up on high it goes to 8.2 amps, AC voltage drops about 4 volts.

    I replaced the motor, still the same problem, I replaced the wiring to the motor, (12 gauge solid) same problem, I replaced the switch, same problem, I replaced the pillow bearings on both sides and used good oil, same problem.

    I checked the new motor, when this happens the motor is quite warm to hot, now.......WHAT the heck is going on?????????? This unit has run fine for about 8 years, now this pops up......It's about 100 degrees F in the shade so I need this running.

    Any one?
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2,619
    Satfix Buxs
    1,751,462
    Thanks
    18,622
    Thanked 7,291x in 2,137 Posts
    Items BurgerA Beertreasure chestPresentRainbowRepWireless AccessTreasure

    Default

    If swamp cooler has a Riostat switch ? it maybe on it's way out, Not supplying enough voltage for fan/motor to run right
    Is my Guess ? Possible combo Bad switch&motor
    Last edited by auggie; 08-29-2019 at 02:38 AM.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to auggie For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default

    It's two position switch, low and high,(cool and fan only) switch contact only, and it's a new switch.
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Terryl For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2,619
    Satfix Buxs
    1,751,462
    Thanks
    18,622
    Thanked 7,291x in 2,137 Posts
    Items BurgerA Beertreasure chestPresentRainbowRepWireless AccessTreasure

    Default

    I did some web searching on your problem, it seems the "belt" needs adjusting to match the AMP draw on motor
    Motor getting warm to hot, they say, is it's over amping ??

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to auggie For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default

    Well I checked the spec's on this cooler, on high the AC amp load should be 10.5 amps, this with the pump running, it is right on at 10.1 amps, when the cooler is set to high fan only it backs down to 9.5 amps.

    When this problem happens it's on high cool and the AC load drops to 8.2 amps, the motor is quite hot at this time.

    I have changed everything but the AC cord to the motor inside the unit.

    Before this started the unit has run fine for 8 years, on the old motor, belt and AC supply.(in my first post I forgot to add a new belt was added)

    So other then the sheet metal, motor power cord and squirrel cage fan everything is new.....I'm stumped.
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  9. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2,619
    Satfix Buxs
    1,751,462
    Thanks
    18,622
    Thanked 7,291x in 2,137 Posts
    Items BurgerA Beertreasure chestPresentRainbowRepWireless AccessTreasure

    Default

    I don't know what to tell you, other than could the wires to the motor be crossed
    High on low side, low on high side ? Just offering up some suggestions from what i have gleaned from the web
    Back in the day my Swamp Cooler consisted of a Fan blowing air over a Big block of ice placed in front of it
    Now I have central air

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to auggie For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2,619
    Satfix Buxs
    1,751,462
    Thanks
    18,622
    Thanked 7,291x in 2,137 Posts
    Items BurgerA Beertreasure chestPresentRainbowRepWireless AccessTreasure

    Default

    I would try disconnecting one wire on motor (setup for single speed) run it like that see if motor over heats
    it maybe energizing both sides at same time. Also does the NEW Motor have a larger shaft than old one ? (more speed more amps)
    If you know the old motor still works, you can put it back in see what happens, from all the info I got from the web, the belt needs to have aprox. 1" inch of play, to tight or to loose motor can heat up.

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to auggie For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Posts
    156
    Satfix Buxs
    392
    Thanks
    72
    Thanked 128x in 63 Posts

    Default

    Bad ground or neutral?

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Imsomebody For This Useful Post:


  15. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default

    It's a royal pain in the backside to get to the motor to disconnect any wire there, let alone remove it and put the old one back..

    New motor is specked the same as the old one, 1/2 inch shaft and same rotation speed as the old one, 3/4 horse power.
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  16. The Following User Says Thank You to Terryl For This Useful Post:


  17. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    2,619
    Satfix Buxs
    1,751,462
    Thanks
    18,622
    Thanked 7,291x in 2,137 Posts
    Items BurgerA Beertreasure chestPresentRainbowRepWireless AccessTreasure

    Default

    That is a Head Scratch-er "Alright" I have run out of possible solutions for it,
    May have to get a H-Vac or Electrician to have a Look ? Hope you get it sorted out "SOON"

  18. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    245
    Satfix Buxs
    1,467,889
    Thanks
    41
    Thanked 113x in 55 Posts
    Items the travel gnomeCashEnglandEgyptSome beerDishDevilYing & yang

    Default

    i dont know what a swamp cooler is but i do work on some ac are you getting good air flow?
    a plugged filter or coil would be like running down the street with your hand over your face that would cause issues

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to android fun For This Useful Post:


  20. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1,343
    Satfix Buxs
    1,408,293
    Thanks
    34,396
    Thanked 6,445x in 1,371 Posts
    Items Camaro
Gift received at 01-08-2016, 02:28 AM from darlinkat
Message: wellSome beer
Gift received at 01-08-2016, 02:28 AM from darlinkat
Message: Cheers!!Burger
Gift received at 09-29-2012, 11:31 PM from darlinkat
Message: here you go

    Default

    Is there a capacitor on the motor???

  21. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by android fun View Post
    i dont know what a swamp cooler is but i do work on some ac are you getting good air flow?
    a plugged filter or coil would be like running down the street with your hand over your face that would cause issues
    A swamp cooler uses water to wet down straw mat's buy using a small pump, a cage fan it turned by a motor to draw air through these wet mat's, the air drops about 20 degree's F in temperature, this cooler air is used to cool the living space or work area.

    Swamp coolers are mostly used in hot dry areas, they are much cheaper to run the a normal AC unit.

    This problem happens with or without the straw mats in place.
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  22. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    9,003
    Satfix Buxs
    4,002,465
    Thanks
    3,658
    Thanked 8,666x in 3,246 Posts
    Items PhoneHeartVintage truck
Gift received at 12-23-2012, 09:06 AM from ICEMAN
Message: thank you budTVCoffee makerPinkfloydthe travel gnomeTractor

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wattso99 View Post
    Is there a capacitor on the motor???
    Not that can be seen on the outside of the motors casing, this problem started with the old motor, new motor has the same problem.

    This problem has me stumped, all electrical wiring and connections have been checked or replaced, new switch, new motor, new bearings, the wet mats have been thoroughly cleaned, new belt on the motor to the cage fan, so basically this is a new unit.

    I can't figure out what could be causing the motor's to overheat, other then the local gravity has gotten stronger in that spot, and causing a higher then normal load on the motor trying to spin the cage fan.
    ♫♫♫ I知 a lumberjack and I知 OK ♫♫♫ I drink all night and sleep all day. ♫♫♫



    Coming soon to a crop circle near you.....

    There is a 66 and third % chance that I'm on the right planet...

    "I'm happier then a Jackalope in a balloon factory"

    "First rule of testing satellites"
    "If its working fine now, then don't mess with it"

    "Second rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and now it doesn't work, can you blame someone else?"

    "Third rule of testing satellites"
    "If you did mess with it, and it doesn't work now, and you can't blame someone else"
    "Can you HIDE it"?

  23. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1,343
    Satfix Buxs
    1,408,293
    Thanks
    34,396
    Thanked 6,445x in 1,371 Posts
    Items Camaro
Gift received at 01-08-2016, 02:28 AM from darlinkat
Message: wellSome beer
Gift received at 01-08-2016, 02:28 AM from darlinkat
Message: Cheers!!Burger
Gift received at 09-29-2012, 11:31 PM from darlinkat
Message: here you go

    Default

    Anything blocking the air in any way...??

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •