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Topic: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users? (Read 231 times) previous topic - next topic
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Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
I'm just curious as someone mentioned they had removed their Lazy Daze "swamp" cooler.  I have a 1998 mid-bath and I have a cooler that I've never tried/used. 

Actually, since I live in the Desert Southwest (and if the cooler was reasonably functional) I should "give it a go." 

I suppose my question is does anyone have the evaporative cooler on their Lazy Daze and USE it?

Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
Reply #1 –
When we had our 1985 TK with a swamp cooler, we used it quite a lot in California and Arizona. Presume New Mexico would provide the same sort of hospitable environment for its successful use. There was no air conditioner, so the swamp cooler was all we had, but it was usually quite sufficient for areas "Out West"!

The next owner was on the East Coast, so the swamp cooler was replaced with a low-draw air conditioner, which seems to have worked out well for him.

If you intend to give it a go, I would strongly advise having someone trace out the lines to make sure that there are no breaches to drizzle water out into unexpected locations. Be particularly vigilant during its use until you are certain it is performing well. After eighteen years, rubber can deteriorate or get pinhole-sized perforations that you cannot see with the naked eye.

If you are boondocking and have solar panels, this is a good way to keep cool, IF you have a good water supply because it seems to drink up a lot more water than I would have expected. Also, be sure to check where the water is expelled so you will be prepared for extra moisture in that area.

Virtual hugs,

Judie
Re: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
Reply #2 –
We had one in our '83 and used it when we hit dry desert. It worked very well, and added a comfortable amount of humidity into the parched desert air. In addition to Judy's comments, you can't use it while travelling, because water will slosh out onto the roof, and you can drain your tank in short order. And... it requires regular (at least annual) maintenance, cleaning the drip pad, cleaning out dirt and mold from the tray, cleaning and lubricating the motor, etc. Water is a corrosive environment, and unlike an air conditioner, there is no isolation between the cooling process and what you breathe.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
Reply #3 –
We had the cooler on our 1992.  It also had the AC unit. We hardly used either one.  First we live in Oregon it's rarely warm enough to need cooling.  And since we didn't have a generator and rarely had hookups we didn't use the AC.

On a few rare occasions we did use the "swamp cooler" and it really does work!  My husband grew up in the central valley of California in the fifties and in 100+ degree weather most houses had swamp coolers on their roof.  As long as the humidity is low and you have the water and battery power to spare it can be a life saver!

Our 1992 had a little valve inside the heater return vent that turned the water on to the cooler.  Hopefully you have the LD manual to get you started.

2004 MB
Re: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
Reply #4 –
I may be the only one who has added a brand new TurboKool to a Lazy Daze that wasn't born with one! (Maybe)

On my '05 Mid Bath, I installed the swamp cooler at the rear most vent, removing the Fantastic fan that was there. I installed the Fantastic fan in the escape hatch opening, after blocking that in to reduce the opening to the standard size. Having the Fantastic fan up forward does a nice job of drawing the cool, humidified air the full length of the coach without having to open a window. Plus the fan makes the Turbo Kool even more efficient as as it helps draw air through it.

Plumbing tube was done behind the shower and run up to the roof through the shower roof vent. I replaced the Hi-Low fan speed switch, which used resistors, with a more modern electronic motor speed control (about $10 on Amazon or eBay).

We live in the high and dry Nevada desert, have 400 watts of solar, and find the swamp cooler to be an excellent addition. We seldom run the air conditioner as we rarely have hook ups.

bumper
"Yonder"
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
 
Re: Evaporative (a.k.a. "Swamp" Cooler) Users?
Reply #5 –
We installed a Turbo Kool (the successor to the one LD used to install) in our SOB, but it wasn't in the best spot and didn't cool as well as we had hoped. We may eventually do the same in our LD. We did get one of those portable coolers from !12 Volt Air Conditioner After-Market Systems for Sleepers, Boats, Camping,... and it's okay in small areas, but not great when the outside temp is over 100 as it was a few days this summer.

fu
fu
2015TK