Swamp cooler, heater grate questions August 20, 2022, 07:09:25 pm Hi, I’m a new owner of an 1989 M22 that I’m renovating. Have a couple questions for the group.I have a swamp cooler that works, sorta. The fan spins, but is loud. I turned on the cooler pump - it made some pumping noises and then stopped , I think it’s might be done. Is it worth it to try to fix the cooler pump and try to quiet the fan, or should I just put in one of those Fan-tastic 3 speed fans? I’ve never had a swamp cooler so I have no idea how well they work compared to a regular fan. I live in Los Angeles (dry climate).Also, can you paint the metal grate over the heater?Thanks,Greg
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #1 – August 21, 2022, 10:42:47 am "I have a swamp cooler that works, sorta."GregI'm the last guy you'd want to answer your question but I suggest you use the search function here on the forum to seek answers about swamp coolers.Now as to replacing the cooler with a fan I would investigate the MaxxAir fans as opposed to the Fantastic!
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #2 – August 21, 2022, 10:52:42 am A working evaporative cooler will help some in hot, dry weather, they are worthless when it's humid. They require a water source and do not provide much ventilation. Finding parts and maintaining them is a hassle, they build up mineral deposits that need to be removed periodically.As Steve suggested, replacing it with a MaxxAir fan is a good idea. I used to recommend Fantastic Fans but the newer, pancake motors are noisy and the remote controls troublesome.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #3 – August 21, 2022, 07:15:05 pm I also have a 1989. The swamp cooler is a great feature for desert camping! On mine the fan worked but the pump didn't. I bought a small 12v aquarium pump and replaced the original one. Here is what I used: Mini Submersible Water Pump (240L/H, 3.6W), Electric Brushless Fountain Pump, Powerful Water Pumps Ultra-Quiet, Dual-Purpose Design for Aquariums, Fish Tank, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Ponds Amazon.com: Mini Submersible Water Pump (240L/H, 3.6W), Electric Brushless...Be careful with the cover, they are typically fragile and can break if you try to force it. 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #4 – August 21, 2022, 07:33:00 pm Quote from: pierats - August 21, 2022, 07:15:05 pmI also have a 1989. The swamp cooler is a great feature for desert camping! I agree, though I have a TurboKool on my Class C, and I've used it on a slide-in camper, a Class B MH, and a previous Class C. Plenty of ventilation, it helps a lot in humidifies under 30%, uses a small plastic tubing connection to the pressurized motorhome water system, so no pump is needed. A float valve keeps the water level correct in the unit. It helps in higher humidities, even though it doesn't cool as much. It provides about 90% of our air conditioning needs in places like Nevada and Utah. We love the quiet fan, and since it runs on batteries, no generator noise. Mineral deposits build up on the foam filter, so I replace or "refresh" it yearly. Refreshing is just soaking it in a 50/50 vinegar water mixture for an hour or so, which dissolves the minerals. 3 Likes
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #5 – August 22, 2022, 03:59:52 am I have a 91 with the swamp cooler. We have used it very rarely but we still have it and maintain it. If you keep it, I recommend you reinforce the cover with something like fiberglass layers. The cover becomes very brittle with age and replacements are no longer available since the company went out of business a couple of decades ago. If you do take it out, a fan or a skylight is a great replacement option. You said the pump kind of works. There is a separate valve to turn on the water for the swamp cooler. Check to see that the water valve is open. 1 Likes
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #6 – August 22, 2022, 06:32:22 pm Quote from: pierats - August 21, 2022, 07:15:05 pmI also have a 1989. The swamp cooler is a great feature for desert camping! On mine the fan worked but the pump didn't. I bought a small 12v aquarium pump and replaced the original one. Here is what I used: Mini Submersible Water Pump (240L/H, 3.6W), Electric Brushless Fountain Pump, Powerful Water Pumps Ultra-Quiet, Dual-Purpose Design for Aquariums, Fish Tank, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Ponds Amazon.com: Mini Submersible Water Pump (240L/H, 3.6W), Electric Brushless...Be careful with the cover, they are typically fragile and can break if you try to force it. Thanks a lot, Iâm going to replace our pump with this one and give it a shot! 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #7 – August 22, 2022, 06:35:49 pm Quote from: SoCal-Gal - August 22, 2022, 03:59:52 amI have a 91 with the swamp cooler. We have used it very rarely but we still have it and maintain it. If you keep it, I recommend you reinforce the cover with something like fiberglass layers. The cover becomes very brittle with age and replacements are no longer available since the company went out of business a couple of decades ago. If you do take it out, a fan or a skylight is a great replacement option. You said the pump kind of works. There is a separate valve to turn on the water for the swamp cooler. Check to see that the water valve is open. I’ve discovered the cooler pump (under the sink) works, but the water pump (at the top of the unit) doesn’t. I’m going to replace the pump at the top and see how it goes. Definitely going to need to do something about the cover, it’s cracked and is missing a few pieces. I’ll look up how to reinforce with fiberglass layering as you suggested, but if you have any specific recommendations please let me know! 1 Likes
Re: Swamp cooler, heater grate questions Reply #8 – August 23, 2022, 12:25:47 am Years ago someone made a mold of the cover. That’s probably the best way to fix it. But I would probably just use a marine epoxy with some fiberglass and cover it on the outside to reinforce the existing cover. PS: there are some previous threads that might help. Here’s one: 1997 Lazy Daze swamp cooler question 2 Likes