Evaporative swamp coolers are a common cooling solution for residential homes. Normally, the swamp cooler is kept running by a simple 115-volt pump that constantly pumps water up to the pads.
However, the swamp cooler can stop working if the water pump, fan, or pads have any problems. You may need to replace the swamp cooler pump to fix these issues.
1. Turn Off the Power
Swamp coolers (also known as evaporative air conditioners) are simple but effective appliances for cooling your home. They work by circulating warmer outside air through wet pads, which cool the air as it evaporates the water. The cooled air is then blown into your house through ductwork, making it feel much more comfortable than the hot outdoors. However, swamp coolers require regular maintenance to function properly like any appliance. If your swamp cooler’s water pump stops working, you may need to replace it.
Swamp cooler water pumps are powered by a 115-volt motor that pumps water up to the cooling pads. The water flows through the pads and cools the air when the blower is turned on. Any excess water that doesn’t evaporate returns to the bottom holding area of the swamp cooler and is pumped back up in a continuous cycle. The water supply for swamp coolers is either hard-wired to the unit or has a dedicated hose.
The first thing you should check when a swamp cooler’s pump goes bad is to make sure that the power is still connected. If the breaker has tripped, this could leave the pump without enough power to move water to the pads. The next step is to inspect the water pump. There is likely a screen on the bottom of the pump that catches gunk and other debris. If the screen is clogged, it may be preventing water flow to the pump.
If you see no clog and the pump is still not turning on, it is time to replace it. Fortunately, replacing the swamp cooler pump is an easy task many Do-It-Yourselfers can accomplish.
2. Disconnect the Hose
The pump in a swamp cooler pushes water up to the pads that act as wet filters for air. The air cools as it passes over the wet pads and is then blown into the house through ductwork. It could be a sign of a bad pump if you aren’t getting the cool air you need from your swamp cooler. Swamp cooler pumps typically last long, so it is unusual when one goes out. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to replace it if it happens to you. Follow these tips to get your swamp cooler up and running again.
Start by making sure the pump is actually dead. You can do this by examining the base of the swamp cooler. Most swamp coolers will have a little reservoir of water, and you can often see the water level by looking through the lid. If you can’t find any water, the problem may not be with the pump but with a simple problem like a jammed float switch or a faulty water supply line.
If you do have water, make sure the pump is getting power. Some pumps plug directly into a standard electrical outlet, while others will be wired inside of a panel present on the swamp cooler itself. Examine the wiring to see if it is loose or if a fuse has been blown.
You should also check the intake screen on the pump to ensure it isn’t clogged with gunk and debris. This is a common cause of low or no water flow through the pump, and it is easy to fix quickly. A clean intake screen can restore normal functioning to your swamp cooler in no time.
3. Remove the Old Pump
A swamp cooler pulls hot air in through a duct and runs it over pads soaked in water, which evaporates and cools the air that is then blown out. The pump is what circulates the water and keeps the pads soaked so that this can occur. A pump that isn’t working can cause a lot of problems with your swamp cooler.
The first thing to check is whether or not the reservoir has water in it. The pump may be clogged if it doesn’t, or the wiring connection is bad. A multimeter can be used to check for these problems. If there is no clogging, the problem is likely that the pump is worn out and must be replaced.
Swamp cooler pumps are simple 115-volt motors that pump water to the top of the cooling pads. The water evaporates, and cool air is blown out by the fan. Water that is not absorbed by the pads flows back to the bottom holding area and is pumped up again in a continuous cycle. If the swamp cooler water pump goes bad, you won’t be able to use the swamp cooler because there will be no cool air being blown out.
Replacing a swamp cooler pump is relatively easy for a do-it-yourselfer. First, turn off the power to the swamp cooler by removing the side panels and disconnecting the AC voltage. Remove the old pump by releasing the clamp and sliding it out of place. Slide the new pump in place, matching the notches on the pump and the little plastic piece that holds it in place. Reattach the tubing and clamp it in place. Plug in the new pump and test it to make sure that water is being pumped to the top of the cooler.
4. Install the New Pump
The swamp cooler pump is a motor that pumps water up into the pads inside the cooler. The water evaporates, cooling the air that is blown out of the unit. The pump may plug directly into a receptacle or need to be wired to the unit. The electrical connections are usually in a panel inside the cooler. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to make the electrical connections.
There are several things that can cause a swamp cooler pump to stop working, including a clogged line or a bad wiring connection. It is important to check these first before replacing the swamp cooler pump.
Another common problem is the swamp cooler’s float switch being jammed. This can be a difficult fix since the swamp cooler is likely on a roof and might require climbing a ladder.
Swamp coolers draw hot air into the unit and blow it over pads soaked with cool water. The cool water evaporates, and the resulting air is then blown out of the cooler into the home. The fans, pads, and water pump are essential to a swamp cooler’s operation. Without all of them, the cooler will not function properly.
Swamp coolers are a convenient way to keep homes cool, but they can be prone to problems, especially as they age. Fortunately, many of these issues can be fixed by simply replacing the swamp cooler pump. By following these simple steps, you can get your swamp cooler up and running again in no time. If you have any questions about the procedure, be sure to contact a professional for help. They will be able to answer your questions and advise on how to safely replace the swamp cooler pump.
5. Attach the Hose
Your swamp cooler needs to have a working pump in order to function properly. Without one, you won’t have enough water to soak the pads that cool the air. If you have a swamp cooler in your home, it’s important to maintain it on a regular basis so that it will work as efficiently as possible for years to come.
Swamp coolers are easy to use and can make a big difference in the comfort of your home, especially during hot weather. However, a malfunctioning swamp cooler can cause a lot of problems that require an expert to resolve. Often, the problem is not with the swamp cooler itself but rather with the pump that drives it. Swamp coolers need a lot of water to operate, so it’s not surprising that the pump would go bad after some time.
Fortunately, replacing the swamp cooler pump is not as difficult as you might think. Before beginning, you need to turn off the power supply. You can find the plug for this in the access panel of your evaporative cooler. It should be labeled either “pump” or “pump power.” You can also turn off the electrical outlet that’s connected to it if necessary.
Once you’ve shut off the power, you can remove the panels and pads of the evaporative cooler to get to the pump. There should be a hose attached to the nipple on the pump, which is probably held in place by a hose clamp. Unscrew the hose clamp, and then unscrew the pump itself. You can buy a replacement pump at almost any hardware store or online, and they are fairly inexpensive. Be sure to match the voltage and horsepower of the new pump to the old one.