How to Fix Water Coolers
Water coolers, or evaporative water coolers, are also known as swamp coolers in the hot dry areas where they operate most effectively. The design is simple: A fan forces outside air through fiber filters that are kept wet with a water curtain that is pumped and distributed from a reservoir in the bottom of the unit. The water cooler is composed of several major components, including an electric motor, water pump, a fan blade cage and a reservoir water control float. The water cooler is fixed by replacing or adjusting these individual components as they present problems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stiff wire brush
- Paper towels
- Water cooler paint
- Paint brush
- Scale remover treatment
- Pump net filter bag
- Water pump
- Plastic tubing
- Water distribution system
- PVC glue
- Utility knife
- Fan motor
- Fan belt
- White vinegar
- Toothbrush
- Float ball assembly
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Instructions
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Condition the water reservoir by opening the drain plug at the bottom and on the side of the unit to drain the water from the reservoir, and scrub the reservoir with a wire brush to remove all scale buildup and debris. Wipe the reservoir clean of all debris.
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Paint the inside of the reservoir by following label directions on special water cooler paint, available at hardware stores, and allow it to dry.
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Fill the reservoir to the water level mark on the inside of the unit, and follow label directions to pour special scale remover treatment, available at hardware stores, into the water in the reservoir, which will remove scale and improve water flow in the pump and the water distribution system.
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Replace the pump by unplugging it and disconnecting the plastic water tube. Place the new pump into the new net filter bag, connect the new plastic tubing with a plumber's clamp to the pump and plug it in.
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Install a new water distribution system known as the spider because of its central black hub and eight curved water tubes branching out from it. Remove the hub by unscrewing the nut that attaches the central hub to the top of the unit.
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Cut the new water tubes to the same size as the existing ones; glue the tubes in the holes of the new hub with PVC glue, available at hardware stores, and use the bolt to attach the hub to the top of the cooler unit.
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Change out the old fan motor by using a crescent wrench to remove the bolt in the motor slide mount, take off the fan belt and remove the existing motor. Place the new motor in the slide mount, place the new fan belt on the flywheel and adjust the position of the motor on the mount to apply adequate pressure so the fan turns easily without producing a high squealing noise which indicates the belt is too tight.
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Remove all mineral deposit buildup from the inside of the unit to keep water flowing freely, by scrubbing the water troughs and water distribution ports with a stiff brush and white vinegar. Cooling efficiency is determined by how much water is evaporated when it runs through the filters.
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Use a toothbrush to scrub the float mechanism with white vinegar to remove buildup so the balance arm can move freely. If necessary, replace the float assembly. Adjust the float ball, much like the float ball in a toilet tank, by bending the float arm to a position that will stop the flow of new water just below the top of the drain tube that sticks up from the bottom of the reservoir floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Use cell phones to keep in contact with a person on the ground who can fetch materials and assist in turning the unit off and on when needed.
Take all materials and tools up on the roof prior to beginning the project.
Keep a garden hose available on the roof to wash and fill the unit when needed.
Turn off the wall switch in the house that turns the unit off and on. Place a strip of tape over the switch to remind everyone to leave the unit turned off.
Do not attempt to chase down parts or materials that slide on a pitched roof since a fall could result.
References
- Photo Credit blades of fan image by TEA from Fotolia.com
