Replace the Belt on a Swamp Cooler
Swamp cooler is a slang term for evaporator cooler. Swamp coolers work best in hot dry climates by adding moisture to dry outside air that provides a cooling effect when it evaporates inside the house. They use about one third the electricity used by an air-conditioner, according to the New Mexico Water Use and Conservation Bureau. During operation, swamp coolers introduce fresh air into the house and expel stale air. They require regular maintenance which consists of adjusting or replacing individual components as they wear out. A swamp cooler is simply constructed and requires little technical knowledge to repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn off the cooler switch inside the house and place a strip of tape over the switch to remind everyone to leave it off while it is being repaired.
2. Swamp coolers are generally located on the roof or on a ground pad at the side of the house. A ladder may be required to reach it if it is in a second story window. Remove the filter pad holder on the side of the swamp cooler nearest the fan motor by lifting it straight up and swinging it up and out when the bottom clears the frame of the cooler.
3. Unplug the electric motor and turn off the pump switch, which is located at the top of the cooler, while the belt is being replaced.
4. Use a crescent wrench to loosen the bolts on the slide mount that holds the motor in place and allow the motor to slide down in the mount so the belt can be removed.
5. Remove the belt by wearing gloves to pull on the belt where it connects to the fan axle pulley while turning the belt manually until it slides off the pulley. Take care to turn the belt slowly to avoid pinching fingers between the belt and the pulley wheel. Another method is to place a screwdriver between the belt and the fan axle pulley and pry the belt up and off to the side as it is turned manually.
6. Determine the size of belt needed by locating the part number on the underside of the belt. If the number cannot be located, take the belt to the hardware store to match it up with the replacement. The old belt will have been stretched during use and this must be taken into account when matching up the new belt.
7. Install the new fan belt by placing it over the electric motor pulley and then draping it halfway over the fan axle pulley. At the bottom of the pulley, place a screwdriver between the belt and the fan axle pulley and guide the belt onto the pulley with the screwdriver while turning the belt manually.
8. Slide the motor up into the slide mount and then use the pry-bar to push it up more snugly and to hold it in place while the mounting bolts are tightened to secure the motor. The tension on the belt should be tight enough so that the fan blades turn freely but not so tight that the belt screeches during operation. Generally, when the tension is correct, the belt should have about an inch of play when it is pressed down on with a finger.
9. Turn on the water pump switch, plug in the electric motor and use a cell phone to have someone in the house turn on the cooler switch. Stand back a safe distance from the cooler so as not to get caught in the moving fan belt or pulley wheels. Check the operation of the belt while it is running to be certain the tension is adequate to turn the fan blades properly. Replace the filter pad holder.
Tags: axle pulley, between belt, electric motor, belt axle, belt axle pulley, belt manually
