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I'm having trouble with my swamp cooler, and I opened it up and saw that the inside is full of algae-like slime. It's gunking everything up. I cleaned it up at the beginning of the summer, so this has all happened in a couple of months.
Why would this be happening? What can I do to keep it from happening?
As I think about it, the real question is why doesn't this happen all the time. It's dark, moist, with lots of fresh air.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I'll back up what Trisha said. Before you shut it off, run it on vent for several minutes to dry the pads out. Otherwise they just stay wet.
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
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The pads are fine. It's the "tank" at the bottom of the cooler that is coated with slime.
This part never dries off.
I've been cleaning it out, and if I don't get any better advice, I'm going to pour bleach in it and let it soak in bleach water overnight, then drain it tomorrow and try to get it running again.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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A low-energy alternative to air conditioning that is basicly glorified version of a fan with a wet towel hanging over it. It cools the air because of the evaporating water.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I had never heard of a swamp cooler (I figured that you were referring to some sort of mixed drink), until I read your thread and googled it up.
I don't think they exist here in New Jersey. Probably too humid and swampy already.
And, of course, it is no longer politically correct to say "swamp". It's a "wetlands", don't you know.
Similarly, we are not to say "jungle" anymore. It's "rain forest".
Deserts are still fair game, however,if I am not mistaken.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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And even in dry places, they don't work if it becomes more humid (like before a thunderstorm).
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
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I might do the bleach thing myself if in that situation. Or vinegar. If you don't mind the smell, I might use vinegar; easier to breathe, and safer for use around pregnant women. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Our swamp cooler has been running pretty much 24/7 since mid-June, and we haven't had problems with algae. Hmm. Dunno what to tell you. Have you looked at Home Depot for any products that control algae in swamp coolers? You never know...
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Uh . . . I was posting that as a joke, kq. In excess of 95% of the products that claim to work by using ionization do absolutely nothing useful.
The Straight Dope is pretty skeptical of such devices, and for good reason.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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