Thread Number: 24411
Swamp Coolers |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 273223   3/24/2014 at 05:02 (3,658 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Am I the only one that has an interest in swamp coolers? I was lucky enough to save the one that I grew up with. It was my grandmothers, and when the windows were being upgraded, it was taken down with no plans on putting it back up. I brought it home, and with the help of my friend Dave, we sanded it down, patched up the leaks, replaced all that was needed, and then painted. I'm happy to say that this old swamp cooler was saved from the trash, and has been cooling us off for about 3 years now. I try to keep an eye out for the early ones, but they don't show up very often at all.
|
Post# 273224 , Reply# 1   3/24/2014 at 05:12 (3,658 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 273225 , Reply# 2   3/24/2014 at 05:13 (3,658 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 273226 , Reply# 3   3/24/2014 at 05:20 (3,658 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 273241 , Reply# 4   3/24/2014 at 09:18 (3,658 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The Holiday Inn I worked at had two MASSIVE swamp coolers (paired with gas forced heating as well) that serviced the kitchen and ballroom areas. Unfortunately, they went out of use when new, more modern HVAC units were installed around them. They languished in the elements before the owner finally had them removed and scrapped.
|
Post# 273278 , Reply# 5   3/24/2014 at 14:37 (3,657 days old) by kenkart ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
saw them in the South, with the humidity here they are next to useless, the humidity here is 70 to 90 percent with 90 to over 100 degrees in July and August, not always that severe , but its not uncommon! |
Post# 273454 , Reply# 7   3/25/2014 at 20:26 (3,656 days old) by paulg (my sweet home Chicago)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Would the term "swamp cooler" apply to a commercial device on top of a buildling that pumped water down wooden slats? With air rushing past those slats, the air was cooled... somewhat..
If so, I worked at a bank years and years ago that had such a cooling system. They also had a standard refrigeration airconditioner too. (The building was a combination of three buildings fused together). What was amazing was that on hot days, the cool-humid air in the building was amazingly comfortable. |
Post# 273481 , Reply# 8   3/25/2014 at 23:49 (3,656 days old) by dustin (Jackson, MI)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I have never seen such a thing! Cool! It would be pretty useless for us in Michigan too- our main problem in the summer is humidity. Not very often do we have hot, dry days. Usually very warm and humid, so traditional air conditioners are needed. At this point I'm just waiting for all of this nasty snow to melt!
|
Post# 273491 , Reply# 10   3/26/2014 at 04:52 (3,656 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Shortly after I posted this thread, my motor bearings seized up... Haha, oh well, replacing a motor is an easy fix. At least this didn't happen during the heat of summer. It's too bad that it's so uncommon to find early models of these swamp coolers, but I do keep an eye out for them. Rounded corners on these units will usually date these to earlier models. Something tells me this one dates to the mid 1960's.
|
Post# 273517 , Reply# 12   3/26/2014 at 10:07 (3,655 days old) by paulg (my sweet home Chicago)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
That water tower I dealt with is described by y'all very well. I so believe the air-conditioner for the building was a Carrier unit as well.
The building was a fused series of building about 100 years old but the place was remodeled to state-of-the-art in about 1953. This all jives. I do remember being tasked to run to the roof and occasionally dump an entire bottle of bleach in the water tower to stop it from becoming.. icky. Old as it was, it did work well but the repairman was there all the time.. (And for you appliance fans, the kitchen appliances in the lunchroom were A.J. Lindeman and Hoverson and the fridge was a Philco) |
Post# 273780 , Reply# 13   3/28/2014 at 06:15 (3,654 days old) by DaveTranter (Central England, U.K.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
2    
Why are these devices called 'Swamp Coolers', if a swamp is the one place they won't work??? :-S All best Dave T |
Post# 273911 , Reply# 14   3/28/2014 at 21:11 (3,653 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
My understanding is that the reason these are referred to as "Swamp Coolers" is due to the moist scent these will give off at times. The correct name would be Evaporative coolers, as this describes the actual way these function. Desert coolers are another name given to these as well. The information plate located on the fan housing in the last picture reads; "The Dearborn Air Cooler". So I guess depending on what area you are in, will determine the name for these.
|
Post# 274224 , Reply# 15   3/30/2014 at 17:24 (3,651 days old) by DaveTranter (Central England, U.K.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
I thought that may be the case having seen the photograph (Reply#10). I would imagine that the water tank/sump would resemble a swamp by the end of the season, too. Were/are there problems with mosquitos, etc. breeding in the water?? Thanks for the info. All best Dave T |
Post# 274298 , Reply# 16   3/31/2014 at 06:43 (3,651 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Well the water in the pan will at times become dirty, especially if the surrounding area is dusty. Mosquitos will breed in the water if left to stagnate during the off season. But as mentioned in reply 6, the water should be drained and water supply shut off at the start of the cold season. Ideally the aspine pads should be replaced every season as well. During the summer, I have it connected to an automatic timer. I can't tell you how good it feels to be in bed still and for this cooler to kick on at 10:30 in the morning before it gets hot out!
|
Post# 274340 , Reply# 17   3/31/2014 at 14:31 (3,650 days old) by countryford (Phoenix, AZ)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
We currently don't have one, but we are going to get one for our house. We will be getting one that is large enough to do the whole house. The house was built in 1949 and orignally was built with a swamp cooler.
I had a trailer that had a swamp cooler. One thing I learned to help keep the musty smell out is to pour a little fabric softner into the pan of water. Gives the place a nice scent. |
Post# 274401 , Reply# 18   4/1/2014 at 02:04 (3,650 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 274492 , Reply# 19   4/2/2014 at 01:42 (3,649 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 274494 , Reply# 20   4/2/2014 at 01:44 (3,649 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 274495 , Reply# 21   4/2/2014 at 02:47 (3,649 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Sno-Breeze cooler-remember the large one at the daycare center at Holloman AFB!Some of the kids liked trying to throw stuff into the fan!So they put a grate over the fan opening. |
Post# 274667 , Reply# 22   4/3/2014 at 18:13 (3,647 days old) by paulg (my sweet home Chicago)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Notice the "Hotter than a Hottentot" reference on the Palm-Aire instruction book.
When I looked up Hottentot I found out that the reference is considered offensive nowadays. It is a good thing that such cavalier references are largely obsolete nowadays. Regardless, the instruction manual is charming from a historical perspective as it is very period and now stands as a relic of a time long gone. |
Post# 274927 , Reply# 23   4/5/2014 at 19:23 (3,645 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275244 , Reply# 24   4/8/2014 at 20:34 (3,642 days old) by countryford (Phoenix, AZ)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275254 , Reply# 25   4/8/2014 at 21:25 (3,642 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
In West Texas they are alternately called Swamp Coolers or Evaporative Coolers. I've never heard the term Desert Cooler, but it makes sense. I always assumed they were nick named Swamp Cooler because of the "swamp" (water pan) used to hold the water.
They are very effective in low humidity areas. When I lived in El Paso, virtually everyone had them. They are so much cheaper to run than refrigerated air conditioners. They can be very loud sometimes. When the belt gets old, it can squeel. Sometimes the bearings on the squirl cage will go bad and create a racket. Plus, on larger units, the large volume of air that is moved can sometimes be distracting for some. Most people don't use them where I currently live, which surprises me because our humidity is usually quite low. |
Post# 275269 , Reply# 26   4/9/2014 at 03:34 (3,642 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275598 , Reply# 27   4/10/2014 at 22:09 (3,640 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275600 , Reply# 28   4/10/2014 at 22:15 (3,640 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 275650 , Reply# 29   4/11/2014 at 11:56 (3,639 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275740 , Reply# 30   4/11/2014 at 17:53 (3,639 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 275824 , Reply# 31   4/12/2014 at 06:26 (3,639 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 275969 , Reply# 32   4/12/2014 at 22:52 (3,638 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 278140 , Reply# 33   4/25/2014 at 01:17 (3,626 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 278141 , Reply# 34   4/25/2014 at 01:21 (3,626 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 280309 , Reply# 35   5/13/2014 at 00:56 (3,608 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 280310 , Reply# 36   5/13/2014 at 00:59 (3,608 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 280817 , Reply# 37   5/17/2014 at 01:37 (3,604 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 280926 , Reply# 38   5/18/2014 at 04:06 (3,603 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 280927 , Reply# 39   5/18/2014 at 04:09 (3,603 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 281968 , Reply# 40   5/26/2014 at 21:52 (3,594 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 281970 , Reply# 41   5/26/2014 at 21:57 (3,594 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 281975 , Reply# 42   5/26/2014 at 22:14 (3,594 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 282048 , Reply# 43   5/27/2014 at 16:17 (3,593 days old) by Gr8DaneDad ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Nice restoration job. I would be lost without evaporative cooling here in the wastelands of the Northern Nevada Desert |
Post# 282222 , Reply# 44   5/29/2014 at 03:37 (3,592 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 282931 , Reply# 46   6/3/2014 at 12:49 (3,586 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 293311 , Reply# 51   8/13/2014 at 12:31 (3,515 days old) by marks_here (_._)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 295791 , Reply# 54   8/28/2014 at 06:35 (3,501 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 295792 , Reply# 55   8/28/2014 at 06:38 (3,501 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
|
Post# 319692 , Reply# 56   3/29/2015 at 22:35 (3,287 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 331210 , Reply# 57   8/7/2015 at 21:23 (3,156 days old) by lionkcommander ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
That is a good lookin portable cooler. I wish I had good luck finding great vintage swamp coolers. It's hard finding a 15 year old AdobeAir cooler in fair shape. |
Post# 371774 , Reply# 58   5/4/2017 at 11:31 (2,520 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 371827 , Reply# 59   5/6/2017 at 04:09 (2,519 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
That unit sort of looked like the roof mount desert coolers on the base homes at Holloman AFB when my dad was in the Air Force there.He had to climb up on the roof to fill the unit or clean it,then drain it when winter came. |
Post# 392096 , Reply# 62   5/18/2018 at 16:14 (2,141 days old) by Ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
I find them as interesting as any other home appliance, but I also don't care for them as far as actually having or using them, I feel they tend to leave the air too wet and not nearly cool enough for my liking, I really would rather have a refrigeration based cooling system that leaves the air COLD and dry.
|
Post# 393278 , Reply# 63   6/15/2018 at 22:00 (2,113 days old) by Bee-vac (Pomona, Calif)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
After taking a road trip out to Tucson Arizona to get some pads, it's ready to go! This works great, and will undoubtedly last a million years.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO Bee-vac's LINK |
Post# 393352 , Reply# 64   6/16/2018 at 17:42 (2,112 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I would love to get a swamp cooler, but living in the land of perpetual humidity their not practical. Would be great fun to play with. |